Each Chinese New Year is designated by one of 12 Animals (in the order of):
the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Hare, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig.
Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year of the Ox. People born in the Year of the Ox (1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) are said to be dependable with leadership qualities, patient, strong, responsible, great in organizing, honest, reliable, logical, stubborn, narrow minded, and have low public relations skills.
Both President Barack Obama and Princess Diana were born in the Year of the Ox. I am not sure the low public relations skills would describe either of them, but I do see some of the other traits in both.
Last year, I wrote about some of the traditions associated with the Chinese New Year and posted photos from 2006 and 2008 in my “year of the rat” post.
Below are a few photos from this year’s Lion Dance. I think my 2006 photos are better though, so if you have the chance, take a peek at my year of the rat post. The lions that year were much fancier.
Kung Hee Fat Choy!!
** videos recently deleted…
shave ice & gelato 
This is super! Thanks for sharing these. Isn’t technology great?
Love the cultural sharing, the creativity and design of the costumes. Kung Hee Fat Choy!((I’m a rabbit) M
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I’m an Ox myself but I don really care abt such matters honestly. BUt I find it interesting tt Obama and Princess D are born in the ox cycle too. The chracteristics fit me totally though. lol.
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Lovely photos and the videos were so much fun to watch! Love the idea of wearing red for good luck. We always wore yellow on New Year’s Eve to bring us good luck.
I was born in the year of the snake. I wish it had been in the year of an animal I’m fond of, like the sheep, rabbit, horse or dog. Oh well …
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I was born in year of the pig (sometimes called year of the boar). But everything I know about Chinese astrology, I learned from a Chinese restaurant placemat (not much, in other words!).
Love your pics and videos!
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menehune, thanks. I only wish we had this technology when we were growing up. Although I do treasure my “kick the can” days.
saint3, interesting that the characteristics fit you. Thanks for stopping by.
Maria, glad you enjoyed the photos and the videos. I have never heard of yellow for good luck.
Annie, I was born in the year of the pig/boar also. I didn’t know anything about Chinese New Year and Chinese astrology until I moved here. I am laughing about your placemat education! Glad you enjoyed the pics and video :)
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girasoli and Annie, me too, I am a (pig) as well. Do you know what characters we should have?
Very interesting post girasoli, thanks for sharing.
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Great photos, Girasoli. Now if only the Lion could keep bad weather at bay — those storm clouds in the background look menacing!
I am a proud Rat, but this Ox year isn’t looking so auspicious!
Apparently, this year Rats will be fine career- wise, but we are at risk of injuries to the face (yikes!) and must be extra scrupulous about personal hygiene. I guess that will be good news for my esthetician!
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Hi Girasoli, I enjoyed this post too. I also found it interesting that the ox traits also includes narrow mindedness which doesn’t seem to also fit Obama or Princess Di. I liked Annie’s story! ;) I loved the video too ! The acrobatics was pretty cool.
Thanks for posting these great photos and videos. Have a wonderful week!
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candi, nice to know another fellow boar :) – Traits of the boar: honest, straightforward, patient, modest, shy, prefers to work quietly behind the scenes, often there to offer support, reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. They have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings.
sandra, it poured just as the lion dance started last year. I really thought it was going to rain again this year, but it held out and was just dark and gloomy. Injuries to the face!! That is not good. Be careful!!
Kathy, thanks. Glad you enjoyed the videos and photos :)
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Great pics! Thank you for listing my blog on your Red Sox blogroll. I, too, love ’em. Peter N. Peter’s Red Sox Forever. Thanks again!
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Hi Peter, thanks for the comment and compliment on my photos. I have been a fan of your blog for a long time. I remember trying to comment but wasn’t able to. I will have to try again. Go SOX!!!
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