Rat            1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996
Ox             1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997
Tiger          1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998
Rabbit       1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999
Dragon      1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000
Snake        1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001
Horse        1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002
Sheep        1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003
Monkey    1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004
Rooster     1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005
Dog          1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006
Pig            1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007


The Year of the Pig

The sign of the Pig

Pig is a fun and enlightening personality blessed with patience and understanding. People born under the sign of the Pig enjoy life and all it has to offer, including family and friends. They are honest and thoughtful and expect the same of other people.

In the Chinese tradition, the pig represents abundance and people born in the Year of the Pig share certain characteristics.  The following are features associated with the Sign of the Pig...

Twelfth in order, Chinese name—ZHU or HAI, the sign of honesty.

Western Counterpart—Scorpio with to a lesser degree, Aries and Pisces.

CHARACTERISTICS: Hardworking, Giving, Willing, Helpful, Honest, Loyal, Outspoken, Hedonistic, Materialistic, Obstinate, And Vengeful.

Contrary to its rather negative reputation in the West, the Pig of Chinese Astrology may be the most generous and honourable Sign of the Zodiac. Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They have so much of the perfectionist in them that others may be inclined to perceive them as snobs, but this is a misconception. Pigs are simply possessed of a truly luxurious nature, one that delights in finery and riches (in surroundings, food, lovemaking and otherwise). This Sign believes in the best qualities of mankind but do at times consider themselves to be superior. Pigs care a great deal about friends and family and work hard to keep everyone in their life happy. Helping others is a true pleasure for the Pig, who feels best when everyone else is smiling.

Outspoken and confident, Pigs give 110% for everything they do. They throw themselves into relationships with others completely, sometimes to a fault. These Pigs are headstrong and diligent in the workplace, honest and caring in a relationship but believe trust is to be earned, not taken for granted.

Pigs are strong-minded individuals who give of themselves continuously. Active, outgoing and extroverted, Pigs breathe new life into everything they do. These Pigs are vivid, motivated individuals who cannot be deterred from a goal once they have set it. They are emotional and passionate about their loved ones, their occupations and their objectives. They are bold and vivacious, unafraid to take risks despite the consequences.  But don’t double-cross a Pig. They have the ability to be quite abrasive when things don’t turn out as they planned.

When travelling they tend to dine at the finest restaurants, eat the richest chocolates and drink the most expensive champagne. In addition, their natures to be relaxed and laid back would lead them to an easygoing vacation somewhere on an island or in a resort where they can hang out and be completely taken care of.   Pigs do not like 'roughing it.'  Pigs like first class seats, compartments and treatment.

Those born under the Chinese sign of the Pig find, Rats to be friendly and Oxen affectionate.  The have opposing views to Tigers and find the company of Rabbits enjoyable, if a little irritating.  In the opinion of Pigs, Dragons are lots of fun, Snakes laid back and Horses distant but alluring.  They find Sheep think like themselves, Monkey's are loads of laughs but frivolous, Roosters are caring but forgetful and Dogs warm.  Most of all, Pigs enjoy the company of fellow Pigs and revel in the company of like minded individuals much like their counterparts of the Scorpio (and to a lesser degree the Pisces and Aries) in the Western Zodiac.

The pig is an important symbol in Feng Shui, the Chinese art of positioning objects, especially furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy that have positive and negative effects. According to traditional Feng Shui, statues of golden pigs will bring great prosperity and happiness to a household. Place the pair of golden pigs in the Southeast for prosperity or the East for family relationships.

EAST MEETS WEST...

ARIES PIG:  Full of energy and vive, these are affectionate lovers. They hunger for responsibility both mentally and physically.

TAUREAN PIG:  Charming and luxurious, although they like to spend money, Taurean Pigs are good with it. They are grounded and motivated workers.

GEMINI PIG:  Party-loving and sociable, Gemini Pigs enjoy the good life. They love to host parties and dinners, but are very appearance-oriented.

CANCERIAN PIG:  Happy to be on their comfy sofa at night, these Pigs enjoy their families and friends more than anything else. They like to take on projects around the house.

LEONINE PIG:  These Pigs throw themselves into everything they do. They work hard, but they play hard. They are genuine and stable with hearts of gold.

VIRGO PIG:  Virgo Pigs are very giving creatures that would go without just so others could have. They are sacrificial creatures that will really hurt if a family member or friend lets them down.

LIBRAN PIG:  These Pigs are sophisticated, beautiful individuals who make great companions. They are easygoing and lovable, but a bit indecisive.

SCORPIO PIG:  These Pigs are motivated and sociable individuals who tend to view honesty as the best policy. Although they admire beauty in all forms, they have to ability to look far deeper. They will accomplish their goals no matter what it takes.

SAGITTARIAN PIG:  Sagittarian Pigs spread good feelings and vibes everywhere they go. They are giving and accommodating and take good care of their loved ones.

CAPRICORN PIG:  These are upstanding people who genuinely care about the welfare of people. They are hardworking, motivated people who are the first to speak up when something needs to be done.

AQUARIAN PIG:  Talkative and friendly, these Pigs love to socialise. They give good advice and often serve as role models for family and friends.

PISCEAN PIG:  These are generally the most artistically able and creative of all the Pigs. They need to feel secure to be happy and will do whatever it takes to make a relationship or friendship work.

Chinese Zodiac Predictions for the year of the Pig...

RAT
 A busy year; many changes. Opportunities & innovations; Personal adjustments are necessary for success. Keep track of possessions. Befriend a pig person who will help you find what you have lost or misplaced.  A sensitive matter involving a colleague or a sibling can bring anxious feelings. The truth may be a while before it is revealed. Let it go if you can.

OX
A busier year than usual. Doing things together with a pig-born person can be helpful. Travel is likely - if so, watch your money. Be patient if a financial deal leaves a sour taste. It doesn't pay to get all bent out of shape. If you can't afford it, say no. Rethink your values. Don't spread yourself too thin with all the interesting opportunities out there. A pig person has plans for you.

TIGER
Lots of laughter, happy occasions. A new partner possible in business, love, or both. In business, ensure a good action plan - things happen fast!  When crunch time comes, you will benefit from the loyalty of a pig person. Put your best efforts into early chores and then lay low when a group plan or a money woe can have you feeling down.

RABBIT
A great year: lots of support & friendship. Finish any uncompleted projects from the past so you're ready for the future. Hook up with pig-folk to help stop those frivolous purchases.
Your thoughts are on work and home; your sensitivity can benefit both. Be smart about money and stifle any resentment. Face a crisis honestly.

DRAGON
Good for socialising; not for groundbreaking new projects. Exercise patience!  Avoid stress-outs. You'll need to fit in with the plans of others.  Be a good friend if you can, but privacy matters so it's ok to say no.  Enjoy the calming influence of a pig person. You're the soul of grace and understanding when the situation calls for it.

SNAKE
If you feel out of synch, remember it's a good time for resource consolidation, for research & getting up to date. Going incognito leads to discoveries.  The pig person in your life will be there with sound advice. Cut the people in your life a little slack and make allowances for their little idiosyncrasies. You too, will benefit from marching to the beat of your own drum.

HORSE
The Horse will appreciate the social aspects of the year. Long days of travel are on the cards.  Opportunities can arrive by strange means: - Keep an open mind.   Be cautious in travel and communication. Be on the alert. Inattention could result in a loss or leave you open to someone taking advantage. When feeling un-motivated a pig person will take control.

GOAT
The year's flow is in harmony with your energies. Significant projects & opportunities. Keep highest integrity in romance: your reputation is at stake.  Do not butt heads with a pig person. It's time to get serious, make decisions, but don't let negative thinking get the upper hand. Rather than worry, take constructive action.

MONKEY
You may be run off your feet; don’t trust hunches until you've done the research: facts, figures, and stats. Look behind the scenes for the help of a pig person. Creativity is favoured, as long as you don't get creative with the truth. Take off those rose-coloured glasses so you don't get blindsided.

ROOSTER
Public recognition, but more important things need attention. Learn how you're contributing to any chaos. Re-evaluate what's important to you.  Don't be too trusting where money, possessions, and personal information are concerned. Safeguard passwords, PIN numbers, and the like.  You don't want the pig person in your life to smirk and say, 'I told you so.'

DOG
You may have to go on rescue missions. Don't fret if the 'dog's bone' goes to others. Be aware, keep focus, and avoid get-rich-quick schemes. A friend, lover or neighbour's situation can cause a setback. Deal with a crisis early and don't take everything so personally. Be sensitive to little piggys.

PIG
A stranger’s kindness will delight and astonish you.  A happy, optimistic, comfortable year. Avoid excess, indulgence, being carried away in the moment and making promises you can't keep. Million to one chances happen... nine times out of ten. The power is with you; treat it wisely.

Prominent Pig People:

Chiang Kai-Shek, Lee Kuan Yew, Kim Dae Jung, Syngman Rhee, Inaras Junius, Tennessee Williams, Julie Andrews, Sementawy Horemheb, Albert Schweitzer, Jerry John Rawlings, Prince Rainier, Georges Pompidou, Chuck Yeager, Odin Knudsson, Henry Kissinger, King Fahd, Maria Callas, Henry Ford, Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan, Elton John, Jerry Lee Lewis.

The Pig in Myth and legend...

Usually, in Buddhist iconography, the pig represents desire in all its forms.  This ranges from identification with one's body, through a general love of material possessions, as well as the lust for food or sexual satisfaction.   Therefore, the pig is 1 of 3 animals depicted at hub of the Buddhist Wheel of Rebirth.  That is, they symbolize the impediments to our release from the round of rebirth, and they are:  desire/attachment (the pig), anger/aversion (the snake), and ignorance/confusion (the rooster).


A boar-faced goddess protects Nepalese temples and buildings. The Varahi are sow deities who preside over Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, guarding the gates of the city of the capital. Tibetan Buddhist deity Vajra Yogini is known in the form of Vajravarahi the Adamantine Sow. In that special form, a small sow's head embellishes the right side of her human head.
The squeal of the pig is also the 'cry of compassion' that complements and reflects the Buddha's voice of wisdom.  The Hindu Goddess Durga in wild boar form is called 'Vajrabarahi.' A small temple dedicated to her is in the Chapagaon Forest of Nepal.  It was constructed by Sri Bas Malla, and empowered by the Hindu guru, Viswanath, in 786 CE.  In the great earthquake of 1990, the temple was unharmed, although all surrounding buildings were destroyed.  Another Barahi Temple can be located on an island in the centre of P'hewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal.  It is dedicated to the boar protectress form of Shakti in the manifestation called Ajima.

In Indian mythology, the activity of all the gods manifests as the goddess Durga who was many times victorious over demonic forces.  Her yearly festival in the autumn is the Naava Ratri 'the Nine Nights.'  It celebrates her 9 battles in the war against the forces opposing the gods.  To her millions of devotees, she is the most compassionate, most pleasing supreme manifestation of god.  Charming, blissful, skilful and compassionate, she is the peerless mother who prevents the defeat of the lord of gods, Devendra (Shiva) and protects the heavenly realm (Swarga). On the eight day of the decisive battle against the ashuras sometimes called 'anti-gods' or 'titans' in English, she assumes the form of each of the consorts of Lord Vishnu's avatars.  One of them is Varaha the Boar, and so she becomes Varahi, piercing her opponent with her sharp tusks.

In India and according to the Bhagavad Gita (3.30.5) for lack of respect to guru Brihaspati the Sage, Indra, king of the Hindu gods, was once transformed into a pig.  Vishnu's third avatar, or manifested form, is The Boar.  He is depicted either as the animal or as a boar-headed man with four arms.  In that form, he holds a wheel, a conch- shell, a sword, and a mace or a lotus.  Alternately, two of his hands may be in the protection or boon-bestowing gestures. Hiranyaksha, (golden-eyed demon) received a boon from the god Brahma after having practiced severe austerities in his devotion to him.   He asked to become king of the whole world, and that no animal which he mentioned by name should ever have the power to harm him.  But he had to enumerate the animals, and he forgot to mention the boar.  In these myths, the demon wreaked havoc, plundering everything of value from the creatures of the world, including the Hindu scriptures.  Hiranyaksha even took the earth down into the ocean as a hostage, but it complained bitterly and loudly. Vishnu assumed the boar form and plunged into the depths of the primeval ocean to rescue Earth.  It took him one thousand years to kill Hiranyaksha and to lift the earth up with his great white tusks.  He calmed it, and made it ready for human use by moulding its mountains and continents. A flying boar was associated with Clazomenae, a city of Asia Minor, home to philosopher Anaxagoras (499-428 BCE).   He taught, with some similarity to the Buddha, "nothing comes into being nor perishes but that it is compounded or dissolved from things that are."

In ancient Egypt the goddess Nuut, goddess of the night, Mother of Stars, was sometimes depicted on amulets as a sow suckling her piglets.  The white pig was sacred to Isis; the black boar was associated with her brother and opponent, Set.  This black boar aspect was considered responsible for the obscuration of the sun during an eclipse.  In one version, Set gores Isis's son Horus, the sun god, putting out one of his eyes.

In classical mythology, a sow suckled the chief of the Greek gods Zeus, though in some versions it is a goat.  Swine were sacred to Demeter, goddess of the earth's fertility, who was the mother of Persephone, queen of the underworld.  In autumn, during the rites of Thesmophoria, her devotees drove a herd of swine into a labyrinthine cave.  Later, they would return to see if the deity had accepted this offering by examining the condition of any pig carcasses that might remain. Her cult was later absorbed and subsumed by that of the Roman goddess of grain, Ceres, to whom the pig offering continued to be performed.  Swine were sacrificed also, to Hercules, to Venus and also to the Lares by those seeking relief from their illnesses.  In the epic about the Greek hero Odysseus' 10 years of adventure returning from the Trojan War, somewhere on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, the sorceress Circe turned Odysseus's crew into swine for the seven years during which she held him captive.

Roman historian Tacitus (1st century CE) in 'Germania' [ch. 45] says of the Germans that... "They worship the Mother of the Gods, and wear, as an emblem of this cult, the device of a wild boar, which stands them in stead of armour or human protection, and gives the worshiper a sense of security even among his enemies. They seldom use weapons of iron, but clubs very often."  The Slavic figure called Baba Yaga (or Iaga,) is usually described as riding an airborne mortar, which she steers with her pestle.  However, some Russian folktales describe her riding a sow.

The Celtic Mother goddess Ceridwin, who was associated with the moon, was referred to as the Old White Sow.  The Celts were also among those who considered the flesh of swine the most suitable meal for the gods even after the Old Mythology was diminished into tales of the Otherworld.  It was also said that Manannan, god of the sea, had magic pigs which though eaten one day, returned the next to be eaten again.


In the Near East we find Artemis’ in the form of the 'Great Goddess' and is associated with the boar.  It is likely that the bulbous appendages on the tiered body statue representations of the triple-crowned goddess of the Ephesians are not breasts but rather boar's testicles.  Adonis, a later Greek god whose origins lie in the Middle East, perished by the tusks of a wild boar.  His name, which derives from 'adohn' or 'lord,' likely refers to Tammuz, consort of the Great Goddess, Ishtar.

In Rome, a boar was the feast offering to the god Saturn usually blessed with the saying "That boar will make you a good Saturnalia."  In Norse mythology the boar's-head standard is among the gifts bestowed by the Danish king upon the hero Beowulf for his having slain the ogre, Grendel.  In Saxo's History of the Danes the order of the battle of Bravalla is described, and Woden or Odin's device of a boar's head named the 'hamalt fylking.'
The Valkyries served the warriors of Valhalla meat from the boar named Saehrimnir.  The divine chef, Andhrimnir, prepared a stew of it in the cauldron called Eldhrimnir.  The beast magically came back to life again before the next meal.

At Yule, the northern European winter solstice festival, the head of a roast swine with an apple in its jaws, is the highlight of the meal.  In the British Isles Arthurian legends include "The Hunting of Twrch Trwyth," a magical boar with comb, scissors and razor between its ears.  The animal was female and, like Marichi, was considered to travel with her 7 farrow. The Beast of Cornwall, as described in medieval British legend, is a boar.  (Although a contemporary mysterious "Beast of Bodmin Moor" is described as a panther.)

What is a Pig..?

Swine is the generic term for these very intelligent cloven-hoofed, snouted animals.  Pig refers to domestic swine of which the female is a sow and the male a boar.  But boar is also the English word for the wild, tusked and hairier swine.   Therefore it is possible to say that the boar was a sow!  The young are called piglets, shoats or farrow.  Gilts are pubescent females.  Sounders are the males that rove in groups.  Hog is the synonym for pig.

How Chinese New Year is celebrated...

The Chinese New Year Festival is the most significant holiday for Chinese people around the world, regardless of the origin of their ancestors. History of Chinese New Year also goes back centuries. Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year Festival because it is based on the lunar calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar.
The history of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years through a continually evolving series of colourful legends and traditions. One of the most famous legends is that of Nien, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast, which the Chinese believe, eats people on New Year's Eve. To keep Nien away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit, and firecrackers are set off throughout the night, because Nien is said to fear the colour red, the light of fire, and loud noises. Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping Nien away for another year, the most popular greeting heard is kung-hsi, or "congratulations."

Even though Chinese New Year celebrations generally only last for several days, starting on New Year's Eve, the festival itself is actually about three weeks long. It begins on the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day, it is believed, when various gods ascend to heaven to pay their respects and report on household affairs to the Jade Emperor, the supreme Taoist deity. According to tradition, households busily honour these gods by burning ritualistic paper money to provide for their travelling expenses. Another ritual is to smear malt sugar on the lips of the Kitchen God, one of the travelling deities, to ensure that he either submits a favourable report to the Jade Emperor or keeps silent.

Next, "spring couplets" are hung up around the house. Spring couplets are paper scrolls and squares inscribed with blessings and auspicious words, such as "good fortune," "wealth," "longevity," and "springtime." The paper squares are usually pasted upside down, because the Mandarin Chinese word for "upside down," Tao, is a homonym of the word "arrival." Thus, the paper squares represent the "arrival" of spring and the "coming" of prosperous times.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, family members who are no longer living at home make a special effort to return home for reunion and share in a sumptuous meal. At that time, family members hand out "lucky money" in red envelopes to elders and children and stay up all night to welcome the New Year. Chinese people have long believed that staying awake all night on New Year's Eve would help their parents to live a longer life. Thus, lights are kept on the entire night--not just to drive away Nien, as in ancient times, but also as an excuse to make the most of the family get-together. Some families even hold religious ceremonies after midnight to welcome the God of the New Year into their homes, a ritual that is often concluded with a huge barrage of firecrackers.

The Pig in Literature...

RABBLE, n.: In a republic, those who exercise a supreme authority tempered by fraudulent elections. The rabble is like the sacred Simurgh, of Arabian fable -- omnipotent on condition that it do nothing. (The word is Aristocratese, and has no exact equivalent in our tongue, but means, as nearly as may be, "soaring swine.").
THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY (1906) Ambrose Bierce (1842 – 1914) U.S. writer and journalist.

Pigs flie in the ayre with their tails forward...
A SHORTE DICTIONARIE FOR YOUNGE BEGYNNERS, (1553). John Withals

Pigs might fly, but they are very unlikely birds.
Popular euphemism, 1620's.

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wings." THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, (1872).
Lewis Carroll (1832 – 1898), English writer, mathematician.

The first pig to fly in an aeroplane was taken up for a joyride in a biplane by Lord Brabazon, holder of the first pilot license in Britain.
"The TIMES", London, (1909).

"Owl," said Pooh, "Could you fly up to the letter-box with Piglet on your back?" "No," said Piglet quickly, "He couldn't." Owl explained to Pooh about the necessary Dorsal Muscles. Piglet hurriedly added that he had been getting much bigger lately, "so it's no good thinking about it."
THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER, (1928). A.A. Milne (1882 – 1956), English author.

I have myself a poetical enthusiasm for pigs, and the paradise of my fancy is one where pigs have wings. But it is only men, especially wise men, who discuss whether pigs can fly; we have no particular proof that pigs ever discuss it.
FANCIES VERSUS FACTS, (1923). G.K. Chesterton, (1874 – 1936), British author and critic.

"Just about as much right," said the Duchess, "as pigs have to fly."
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. Lewis Carroll (1832 – 1898), English writer, mathematician.

"If you are sweating too much before a flight, you surely haven't asked enough questions. If you are not sweating just a little during the flight, you may not have been attentive enough. And, if you are not sweating out the answers with all the experts you can think of after the flight, you may never find that very beautiful pearl in all that pig litter."
Corwin H. Meyer, Grumman Aircraft test pilot, WWII.

“Man looks down on the dog; the cat looks down on man;
The pig stares man in the eye and see his equal. “  Winston Churchill.

Sources:
rochedalss.eq.edu.au/pigs.htm
http://adminstaff.vassar.edu /sttaylor/MacDatho/
www.britishpigsociety.co.uk /history.htm
Strange Histories: The Trial of the Pig, the Walking Dead, and Other Matters of Fact from the Medieval and Renaissance Worlds by Darre Oldridge; ISBN-10: 0415404924.
History of pig keeping.(The pig pen): An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal by Kay Wolfe.July 1, 2006 Publisher: Thomson Gale, Volume: 90