Chinese New Year 2022
Written by Dr. Tameka Lim, DACM, LAC
Chinese New Year 2022 is February 1st and you don’t have to be Chinese to enjoy this long-standing custom steeped in rich cultural traditions and celebrations. Every Chinese New Year is accompanied by its paired zodiac animal, and this year of 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger!
The Chinese zodiac became part of the Chinese lunar calendar starting in the 5th century during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 9 AD) as a way to determine a person’s birth year and personal characteristics. Today, the Chinese zodiac is significant for millions of people around the world who use stories and folklore to help predict how the year will unfold and contribute to guiding important decisions in both professional and personal life. Because the Chinese calendar follows lunar-solar observations, rather than a Western calendar which is a solar calendar, Chinese New Year usually occurs a month or so after our Western New Year that always passes on January 1st.
The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals that follow a 12-year cycle, a day in a 12-day cycle, and for every two hours in a 24-hour day. The Five Elements Theory or Wu Xing is a style or branch of Chinese medical theory as a way to explain physiology and pathology. The Five Elements have their own characteristics and actions and are the foundation of everything in the universe and natural phenomena.
Individuals born in the year of the Tiger (1950, 1962*, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022*) (*water Tigers!) are characterized by being strong-willed and determined. Tiger personalities can be both soft and mysterious while being courageous and fearsome. Tigers are instinctual individuals and are good at assessing a situation. Tigers can also be self-centered and aloof and may experience loneliness.
Water is the characteristic of stamina, endurance, and wisdom. Water is both fluid and yielding but will break through even the hardest rock over time. Water embraces creativity and change and can take on many forms. Water is associated with Winter and is the most Yin of all the elements. The emotion of Water is related to Fear, an emotion that moves and directs us to remain alert and attentive to our surroundings and situation. When confronted with danger, constructive fear can guide us with a message of caution and restraint and fill us with a sense of readiness and courage to face whatever situation might present itself.
So what does that mean for the Year of the Water Tiger?! According to famous Chinese astrologers, 2022 is a year for realizing dreams and making important decisions, but that will require a lot of courage. The Tiger’s courageous and determined energy coupled with Water’s creativity and embracing of change indicates that 2022 is all about going big or going home. This is markedly different from 2021’s year of the Metal Ox, which was all about steady progress, pragmatism, and hard work. So, if you have been waiting for the moment to make that career change, start a new business, or pursue a lifelong dream, this might be your year. Tiger year can also bring unexpected good news and turn crazy dreams into glorious reality!
For a list of fun Chinese New Year activities in Vancouver/Portland please check out Travel Portland!
https://www.travelportland.com/events/lunar-new-year/