2022 is the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiac. But what does that actually mean and where does it originate? Read on to learn more about the history of the Chinese New Year, and more specifically, about the Year of the Tiger.
What’s the Chinese New Year, Anyway?
The Lunar New Year – or Chinese New Year – is a 15-day festival held in Chinese communities each year to celebrate the new moon that occurs at the end of January or beginning of February. There are many legends surrounding the origin of the Chinese New Year, one being that thousands of years ago a monster would attack villagers at the beginning of the new year. The only thing that would scare the monster was loud noises and bright lights, so that’s what the villagers did – they celebrated with fireworks, decorations, and bright clothing. It is often a time to feast and visit family members, clean house, and usher out the old, while ringing in the new.
So, where do the animals come into play? There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs, each an animal with unique characteristics. The old Chinese story behind this was that the Jade emperor ordered a race to select the 12 animals to be his personal guards, and they arrived in a specific order, or cycle. It is said that anyone born in a specific year will also carry the traits of their zodiac sign.
What To Expect in 2022, The Year of the Tiger
The Year of the Tiger lands on the years 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and now, 2022. The Tiger personality is unique – it’s said to be powerful, authoritative, brave, and self assured. People with this personality enjoy competition, but they can sometimes struggle with their sensitive nature and become moody.
When you combine the zodiac sign with the Chinese zodiac elements, this year is the Year of the Water Tiger. What does that mean? This year will be anything but dull. A tiger has a go-big or go-home mentality, which will influence many of us and create dramatic ups and downs in everyday lives. The upside? This will be the year for gaining back strength and vitality after a hard and very tiring year (2021).
We hope you have an amazing Year of the Tiger! For more New Year’s fun, check out our blog.