Feb. 14 marks the start of the Chinese New Year, the year of the metal tiger (Imlek). What significance does the tiger have for the fate of the New Year?

Headstrong, dangerous, and at times rash, the tiger endows a year with uncertainty and danger, according to the Chinese zodiac.

Consisting of 12 animal signs (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig), and five elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth), each combination occurs every 60 years.

The last year of the metal tiger, February 1950 to February 1951, was tumultuous. The Korean War began, Senator Joseph McCarthy started his “witch-hunt” for communists, and US president Truman ordered the construction of the hydrogen bomb.

According to Chinese mythology, metal does not go well with the tiger.

In other words, 2010 will not be a quiet or peaceful year.

Due to the tumultuous nature of tiger years, success is said to only be obtainable if you act quickly and are proactive in life.

Each animal is said to have a
different prospect for the year, according to its relationship with the tiger.

Therefore, people born in the year of the snake will have a productive year this year, because snakes have a good relationship with tigers. But people born in the year of the monkey will not, as monkeys are the tiger’s mortal enemies.

People born in the year of the tiger are said to be well-liked, charming personalities, but should they fail to succeed in a given task, life, or career, or be criticized by a loved one, they are likely to fall into depressed reveries.

Some well-known tigers include Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth II, Agatha Christie, Demi Moore, Hilary Swank, Jodie Foster, Marilyn Monroe, Penelope Cruz and Tom Cruise.

Those born in the year of the tiger are most likely to get along with horses, dragons and dogs.

Chinese author and sociologist Mely G. Tan says the Chinese Zodiac and its twelve shio (animals) are
very important to many Chinese people.

If two people are not compatible in terms of their shio (for example if a man is tiger and a woman a monkey), then they will be told not to marry.

“A good example is Prince Charles and Princess Diana,” Mely tells The Jakarta Post.

“There were not suited to one another, and practitioners of the zodiac will say ‘see, I told you so!’”

The Chinese take great interest in their zodiac as they believe it has the power to tell them something about their future, and to guide them through life.

“It is especially important for business people, I think, as they will make decisions based on things like the zodiac and the shio.”

The Chinese zodiac is also closely related to people’s relationship with their surroundings, also known as “feng shui”, she goes on.

Feng Shui (wind and water) is another ancient Chinese tradition people live by, and Mely says that all over Asia, people are sure to comply with all things good in the zodiac and feng shui, to ensure their ventures are successful.

“People will not invest in companies if there is not proper feng shui, every building has to comply or it is seen as bad luck.”

It is a very important aspect of life for the Chinese to ensure their actions do not cause strife in their own lives.

Many customs have to be practiced to maintain the correct balance in the zodiac or in feng shui.

For example, beds and staircases should never face doorways, and the number ‘4’ is a bad omen meaning death. Most Chinese buildings will skip the 4th, 14th, 24th floors, and avoid having room numbers including the number four.

Mely, however, says she likes to study the Chinese zodiac because it is interesting and hours of fun.

“I don’t take it too seriously, I won’t be changing my behaviors in lieu of the transition from ox to tiger, but it is very interesting to see how it all works.”

But for many older people, the zodiac is their gospel.

“Many people from the older generation swear by the zodiac and will not go against it in any way; I think the younger Chinese generations take it less seriously.”

So, what is the New Year really about, Mely?

“The New Year is transitioning to be a celebration more about family, fun and food, similar to thanksgiving for Americans, or Christmas for Christians. It is a day to celebrate the Chinese traditions with your family and have fun.”

It is also an important tradition to visit your elders on Chinese New Year’s Eve, as respect for one’s elders is still an important aspect of the Chinese tradition.

“I am not so worried about what the year of the tiger will mean for me,” Mely says,

“I am just looking forward to the festivities. For me the zodiac is just lots of fun.”

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