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Legend has it that the apocryphal Emperor Huangdi invented the Chinese calendar in the 27th century B.C., with each zodiac year represented by an animal. In Western culture, January 23, 2012, will mark the first day of a fortnight of celebration and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Want to join the party? First, clean house. Sweeping away bad chi (energy) from the past year is crucial. Then, decorate like crazy with lots of red and fill your home with flowers (real or faux) to ensure luck and prosperity in the coming year. Don’t forget fun touches like Chinese games or toys and, of course, the center of attention on this day, our fierce Gold Patina Dragon. Gung hay fat choy! (Translation: Best wishes for a prosperous new year!) |
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Years of the Dragon:
1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Dragon Traits:
Impetuous, Vibrant, Energetic
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Years of the Snake:
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Snake Traits:
Profound, Creative, Strong, Cautious
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Years of the Horse:
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Horse Traits:
Popular, Wise, Independent, Impatient
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Years of the Sheep:
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Sheep Traits:
Shy, Sincere, Artistic, Pessimistic
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Years of the Monkey:
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Monkey Traits:
Clever, Polite, Competitive, Flexible
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Years of the Rooster:
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Rooster Traits:
Meticulous, Decisive, Practical, Alert
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Years of the Dog:
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Dog Traits:
Honest, Affectionate, Open-minded, Eccentric
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Years of the Pig:
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Pig Traits:
Loyal, Hard-working, Thoughtful, Calm
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Years of the Rat:
1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Rat Traits:
Industrious, Sociable, Charming, Intense
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Years of the Ox:
1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Snake Ox:
Alert, Patient, Stubborn, Eccentric
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Years of the Tiger:
1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Tiger Traits:
Courageous, Sensitive, Easily Angered
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Years of the Rabbit:
1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Rabbit Traits:
Virtuous, Ambitious, Gossipy, Thoughtful
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