Year of the Rat - Chinese New Year
Just like every year in this period, we are about to witness the largest migration of people in the world.
Chinese New Year will be celebrated on 25th January this year, a moment of celebration in which hundreds of millions of people are on the move.
An estimated 3 Billion trips are expected on Chinese New Year, which is probably the largest celebration on Earth.
This occasion is considered the sacred moment to reunite with one's family, to return to their place of origin for the festivities and prayers, that will begin as early as Friday evening, with the traditional “dinner" of the eve.
Chinese New Year - History
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, originated more than 3,000 years ago.
The Festivity, which is closely tied to the ancient beliefs, was connected to the harvest cycle (Nian, which means year), and in this period, sacrifices were offered to deities.
Where it falls in the calendar varies yearly as this ritual is linked to the lunar calendar.
Traditionally, festivities are related to family and red color is used as it has a particular importance to the Chinese culture. Nian is also the name of a legendary monster who would eat humans and animals on New Year's Day. The most common ways to keep it away were the red decorations and the bursting of firecrackers.
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
Chinese New Year governs and determines the cycle of the Zodiac Signs.
Various legends speak about the births of the Zodiacs, one of which narrates the story in which Buddha gathered all the animal species present on earth to foretell the end of the world and bid goodbye.
However, not everyone showed up, but only a few: the first to arrive was the Rat, followed by other animals such as Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. To reward their fidelity, Buddha decided to name each lunar cycle after the 12 animals.
Another legend explains the historical rivalry between the cat and the rat. In point of fact, it seemed that the Emperor of Jade (the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth) decided one day to go down in person to visit the Earth and was amazed by some earthly creatures (those of the zodiac), and decided to take them with him to show them to other deities. The Emperor, however, did not see the cat, the most beautiful of them all, because the rat did not inform the mouse out of jealousy.
Year of the Rat
Although the rat is generally not considered a noble animal, it is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. From 1900, the rat years are 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032.
Its main characteristics are wit, readiness, sensitivity, flexibility and vitality. It also appears that those who belong to the mouse sign are judicious, cautious and meticulous.
The most suitable career paths for the people of this sign are the leadership roles of administrators and managers, entrepreneurs but also more artistic paths, ranging from those of writers, musicians but also those of lawyers or politicians.