Happy 4712!
Year of the Horse
No, that’s not a typo. Today’s new moon is the start of the Chinese Year of the Horse, year 4712 in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese follow a lunar calendar, much like the Jewish and Islamic calendars. Lunar calendars do not match the Gregorian solar calendars that western cultures follow and for this reason we are left with the impression that the start of the Chinese new year “drifts”, but in reality, it is the second new moon after the winter solstice and on the Chinese calendar, the Gregorian new year drifts through random dates in their eleventh month.
Chinese astrology breaks years out into one of twelve corresponding zodiac earthly branches – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 4712 is represented by a horse. Likewise, Chinese astrology has five heavenly stems – Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. The stem for 4712 is that of Wood, making it the Year of the Wood Horse.
The horse represents decisiveness, travel, adventure and drive. It is a symbol of speedy success. Wood represents spring and growth. It represents family. It represents strength and flexibility, all together making the year to come one of promising opportunity.
But all of that is far eastern astrology. The hard facts are that the Chinese calendar is one of the oldest in the world and that visitors to Chinese restaurants love to look at the dates on their placemats to identify their zodiac animal and get a little basic astrological advice. And we are now starting the Year of the Horse.
Year of the Horse by Lori Musil
Lori Musil, the prolific artist for the Trail of Painted Ponies described the Year of the Horse as a “classic celebration of the different horse breeds” and Rod Barker, the founder and CEO of the Trail of Painted Ponies, announced that “The Year of the Horse will be full of surprises!” We anxiously await to see what this astronomical convergence will mean for the premiere line of horse collectibles.
As the Chinese say, Jíqìngyǒuyú! – May your happiness be without limit!
[whohit]2014-01-31 Year of the Horse[/whohit]