Year of the Pig

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4705 begins on Feb. 18, 2007. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in pig years tend to have excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard, and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal partners.

If you were born in one of these years you belong to this sign 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007. You share your sign with BAM! Emeril Lagasse, David Letterman, Stephen King, Ewan McGregor, Jada Pinkett Smith and many others.

Next year we go into the Year of the Rat. That is my sign. Got to love the Chinese who else could take animals that Westerners go yuck to and make them appealing.

The nice thing about this day is that all over the world people are remembering their ancestors as the people who laid the foundations for their lives. So Dad, Grandpa Hughes, Uncle Bud, Uncle Gene, Aunt Hazel all of you who touched my lives with your love and your wisdom Happy Chinese New Year.

The picture is called Year of the Pig.

Real Counter 4393