Chinese new year begins today (Sunday), and this year in the year of the pig which is great because I love bacon. Two thousand and pig here we come!
Even though this will be a pig of a year for Chinese people everywhere it wouldn’t actually be correct to call this year “two thousand and pig” though. In actual fact it’s now the year 4705 according to the Chinese lunar calendar which rings in a new year on a date which corresponds with the second New Moon after the winter equinox.
Each year on a chinese calendar is represented by one of 12 animals (or mythical animals in the case of the dragon). Of course in western culture it’s unlikely we would have devoted an entire year to a pig, or for that matter some of the other Chinese year animals such as the rat, rabbit, dog, snake, sheep, or cock. Indeed, I shudder to think how we might celebrate a ‘year of the cock’ here in the west. Our choice of iconic animals might have included lions, bears, and other such powerful symbols of the animal kingdom.
So with a second chance at making a fresh start this new year, the obvious question is what are your resolutions going to be?
Wrote the following comment on Feb 18, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Well my resolution will definitely not be giving up bacon!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 19, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Hear, hear. Here’s to NOT giving up bacon … especially oak smoked dry cure!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 19, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I must be on the same wavelength as your other readers, as the first resolution that came to mind was that I must surely eat more bacon… oh, and ham to. MMMMMMMM – Good stuff!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 22, 2007 at 1:24 am
Ha ha “Year of The Cock”…
OK, I’m immature! :o)