BS: Happy Rooster Year

Subject: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 10:54 PM

This next New Year is the Year of the Rooster. For those of you born in 1981, 1969,1957 0r 1945 it is a special year too as it is part of your 12 year cycle.

Roosters are courageous, hardworking, shrewd, arrogant, reckless, selffish and eccententric (that seems to over everything,,)They are thirsty for knowledge, devoted to work and definate in decision making. They are skilled at what they do and attentive to details.

A Happy New Year to all you other animals.

Found this on the web for you Chickens...

The year of the Green Rooster: tips for a successful celebration.

According to the Eastern Zodiac the upcoming year of 2005 will be the year of the Rooster; the year of Green Wooden Rooster to be exact.

Everyone is probably aware of the fact that green is the color of hope and spring. So in order to attract the love of your life and loads of money in the year to come, one must wear something green, advises astrologer Valery Ledovsky.

Green is also the color of youth. In China, this color is regarded as the color of the young generation. The following year will be exceptionally good for the application of scientific achievements to production. The year 2005 will also be a great period for creative works; great time for the emergence of new talents.

As far as its substance [i.e. wood] is concerned, it symbolizes family. Family values will be essential; they will constitute an integral part of everyone"s life in the year to come, notes the astrologer. Practicality, business attitude and diligence will be valued the most next year. Those who pay attention to even the slightest details will achieve remarkable heights in the upcoming year.

Rooster is a very fertile bird. Therefore, the upcoming year 2005 prophesizes to be just as such. You can expect a pleasant addition to your household. In case you are still single, this will be the best time to find the love of your life and form a family of your own, writes Valery Ledovsky. There will be an abundance of romantic dates in the upcoming year of the Rooster.

Roosters are also very peaceful birds. They guard their owners. In fact, it is a common misconception that roosters are cocky. They are only cocky for a reason.

Those born in the year of the rooster tend to be very reliable; they make their relatives and/or loved ones feel at ease when they are with them. Despite their powerful sex drive, Roosters are good family men.

Roosters are also communal birds. That is why 2005 promises to be a lucky one for joint ventures, notes the astrologer. He suggests signing as many business contracts as possible and form new partnerships in the upcoming year. Your circle of friends will definitely expand next year. However, no matter the business, family interests should always come first!

What should one wear/cook for the New Year?
Roosters are not extremely picky when it comes to food. Simple grain will do. The astrologer suggests cooking beans and oats among other dishes as well as sprinkling the table with some seeds.

Try to refrain from consuming meat on this occasion. It is absolutely forbidden to eat chicken or turkey for New Year"s. Otherwise, you will insult the Rooster. Overall, the food should be relatively light.

As for the outfit, it should definitely be green! One can also dress in rainbow colors, to imitate Rooster"s colorful tale. Fabric must be 100% natural. Feel free to play with your hairstyle.

It is recommended to celebrate New Year's with family, relatives and close friends. You will offend the Rooster if you chose to abandon the family comfort and celebrate the holiday at some night club. It would also be better to celebrate the holiday in your home country. Also, do not forget to raise several toasts for family, parents and children. And the last advice: you should say "cock-a-doodle-doo" several times for luck.

Valery Ledovsky also notes that the official year of the Rooster will begin only on February 9th, 2005 at 1:30 am MSK. Remember this date and don't forget to raise a toast and cheer once more!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: LadyJean
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 12:19 AM

Year of the rooster. There's a bunch of good straightlines in that. Of course, as I was born in the year of the sheep, I think I'll keep them to myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: dianavan
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 05:32 AM

Thanks for the info.

I was very embarrassed to have missed the Moon Festival in my classroom.

Chinese New Year is celebrated school-wide so no chance of missing it. Last year we had professional lion dancers performing in our school gym. The dancers have to be very strong and agile. Its interesting to see it close-up. The drums are exciting! The entire performance was magically intense. I loved it!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: JennyO
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 11:34 AM

I'm a rooster. Sounds like a good one coming up!

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 08:07 PM

Ok, but don't get Cocky...

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: JennyO
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 09:48 PM

Cock a doodle doooooooooooooooo! (just feeling a little cock-a-hoop;-))

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 09:49 PM

I'm a dragon... can't you tell?

Strictly speaking, the Year of the Rooster doesn't start for a while.. it's lunar rather than appointed date.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 31 Dec 04 - 11:57 PM

The Year of the Rooster will start on 8th February when the first lunar cycle of the year starts.

Me I am a sheep, goat or a ram depending on mood, baaaah.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: JennyO
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 12:15 AM

I believe it's the 9th actually - from this website


The Chinese Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year, it falls on February 9, 2005 - Lunar Year 4703...the year of the Rooster.

The sign of The Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working, confident and unwavering. This means Roosters can really crow about their own accomplishments! Famous people born in this year include Dolly Parton, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Midler, and Rod Stewart.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 04:05 AM

We start the celebrations with a family dinner on the evening of the 8th, then down to the basement to retrive the stored high explosives ready to start setting them off as the clock hits midnight.

Last year our housing area resembled a war zone for several hours as the fireworks were set off, the reek of gunpowder and accompanying clouds of smoke formed a rather thick miasma over the whole area.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 03:27 PM

This appeared in the online Telegraph, how dare they call we sheep cowardly...And apparently you Monkeys had a good year. Monkey years 1944,1956, 1968,1980, 1992,

No more monkey business for the Chinese New Year
By Ian Henry
(Filed: 29/12/2004)


The clock is ticking and mothers-to-be in China are anxiously ticking off the days to the year's end.

In this most superstitious of nations, the countdown has begun to the end of the Year of the Monkey, and with it, the closure of a lucky year.

The reason: the monkey is a coveted birth year as most believe them to be "smart and lively''. So traditionally, the Chinese believe "monkey babies'' will be cute, bright and intelligent.

Everyone in China has his or her Sheng Xiao, one of the 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig) used to symbolise the lunar year in which they were born.

2003 was the Year of the Sheep, a "cowardly'' animal, and babies born during that year are traditionally believed to have bad prospects. Thus, many would-be parents delayed their plans to have a baby.

2005 is the Year of the Chicken, believed by many not to be so blessed as the monkey. So 2004, the monkey year, has been sandwiched between two not so lucky years.

Under China's one-child policy, most parents have only one opportunity to strike lucky, as the fortunes of the offspring - securing a good education and secure job - will often determine the lifestyle of the family in the twilight years.

For those who doubt the influence of superstition in China, the statistics prove otherwise. In Beijing alone this year, more than 10,000 babies are expected to be born in the capital's maternity hospital, twice the number of other years.

At the end of October, the number of women who had given birth was 7,684 more than most other years' total. At least another 2,000 pregnant women, who have registered with the BMH, are due to give birth before the year's end.

To cope with the upsurge, the hospital has been forced to turn doctors' offices into wards, and to shorten observation times. Other Beijing hospitals are facing similar situations, with a total of 70,000 newborns expected in the city this year.

Other major cities, such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu have also had significantly more "monkey'' births, according to local health officials.

The luckiest years, according to the Chinese zodiac, are the dragon and horse.

Liang Ke, an Air China stewardess, who is due to give birth this month, explained her predicament: "My husband and I have waited for the Year of the Monkey for our baby since we failed to have one in 2000, the Year of the Dragon". So the couple began planning last year to have their baby this year instead.

However, some experts warn of the repercussions of such superstition. Many will have more trouble, than luck, they say.

Birth peaks are often followed by ripple effects, and children born this year could well find more difficulties entering schools or colleges, or even finding jobs in early adulthood.

Citing the Year of the Dragon as an example, experts said the "dragon babies'' born in 2000 are already experiencing problems. In 2002, as they reached pre-school age, heavy pressure was put on kindergartens.

Their parents are now facing the resultant financial pressure, with many having to pay 30,000 yuan (about £1,870) besides regular tuition fees, for kindergarten places.

In the Chinese media, population experts are already warning that this year's "monkey babies'' could create another birth peak when they grow up and get married. "To bring real fortune to their kids, Chinese couples should avoid creating such birth peaks," they advise.

Yet year after year superstition seems to hold sway over expert advice. Of the 70,000 babies born in Beijing this year, 20,000 are expected to belong to parents without permanent residence in the capital, double the average of recent years.

"That means there is a tremendous amount of good luck needed to be spread round the city, which common sense tells us is just not practical," one pundit pointed out.

Dating from 2006 BC, the Chinese Lunar New Year falls next year on February 9, and is Lunar Year 4703.

Most Chinese believe that the year of a person's birth is the primary factor in determining that person's personality traits, physical and mental attributes, and degree of success and happiness throughout his lifetime.

They clearly cherish an innate belief in the power of astrology. Visitors to any cultural bastion or beauty spot will find a bevy of fortune tellers plying a lucrative trade, particularly on national holidays.

Many rely on fortune tellers to foresee the gender of their unborn children, vital to couples limited to one child, where a son is preferable. Little surprise then, that China has a disturbingly high infanticide rate.

So what has the "monkey child'' got to offer? Famous names born under this zodiac sign include Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Macaulay Culkin, and Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming.

They are often described as the "erratic geniuses'' of the zodiac cycle. Clever, skilful and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original, and can solve the most difficult problems with ease.

Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. So they have a strong sense of superiority.

In comparison, by waiting until next year to give birth, parents can expect their children, although not destined to be so lucky, will most probably be deep thinkers, capable and talented.

"Chicken people'' are often a bit eccentric, think they are always right, and usually are.

Frequently they are loners, with extremes in emotions, but can also be selfish and outspoken.

World-renowned personalities such as Dolly Parton, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Midler and Rod Stewart are all "chicken people''.

Apart from relying on the zodiac to determine the birth year of their children, many Chinese also look to astrology to find a compatible partner for life.

Many relationships falter at the first hurdle when young lovers discover their animal birth years.

Those born in the monkey year should ideally be looking for a partner born as a rat, or better still, as a dragon, or even a horse, dog or pig. At all costs, the monkey and tiger should avoid each other.

The "chicken child'' should expect an excellent relationship with a dragon, cow or snake, but should definitely not link up with a rabbit.

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 06:57 PM

Well Shanghai, I am SO characteristically Dragonish, it's a wonder I don't breathe fire!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Happy Rooster Year
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 04:59 AM

So I'm a "Little Red Rooster"

(which makes me 29 & holding?)