Lifestyle
Gong Xi Fa Cai! Let’s Ring In the Year of the Horse!
The Horse gallops in on January 31, 2014, marking the start of the Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
To be exact, the year starts anew on the Chinese calendar with the new Moon on January 30 at 11:20 pm PST, but is listed as January 31 on most calendars.
To be more exact, Chinese New 2014 heralds the Year of the Green Wood Horse. It marks the 31st number in the sixty-year cycle called Chia Wu and is described in Chinese tradition as “Horse in the Clouds.”
What does the Wood Horse have in store for us in the Chinese New Year aside from feasting, fireworks, and festive merriment?
Good luck, high energy, and opportunity
Although the initial impression of the Horse doesn’t bear as much impact as the mention of the Dragon and Snake, it is a very special sign in its own right. The Horse is the sign that represents Yang, or male energy, one of the two primal forces of the universe. As an added bonus, of the five elements in Chinese astrology, Wood is the element that is most favorable for the Horse. This is a winning tandem (although we cannot quite give credit to “Lady” Luck, being a Yang sign, in this case), so expect the year to be filled with good fortune.
The spirit of the Horse is closely associated with the character and nature of the Chinese people: constantly making relentless efforts towards self-improvement. The Horse is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent, and able.
The ancient Chinese referred to a productive and capable person as ‘Qianli Ma’, a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li is equivalent to 500 meters).
Opportunity abounds in the Year of the Horse.
Think things through, as needed, but do not hesitate to seize the opportune moment! A leap of boldness is required to lay hold of good things in store in 2014.
This year is also a good one for socializing and strengthening your social connections.
Compassion and optimism
Underdogs, rejoice—this is your year! The Chinese New Year of 2014 is marked by compassion, and the Horse will be attentive to our troubles and woes; especially those of the underdog and those who cannot fight for themselves.
A kind-hearted nature characterizes 2014, true to the compassionate spirit. Good friends will lend us support in times of need, ready to help through difficult times just as we have helped them in times past.
The year will also be infused with a spirit of optimism, which will allow us to cope with hardships—especially the financial kind—and hold-out hope that prosperity and good fortune are soon on their way!
From the Horse’s mouth
People born in the Year of the Horse are excellent communicators, finding unique ways to express themselves, and always wanting to be the center of attention in their community. Horse people are clever, kind to others, and like careers that are daring—even sometimes risky—in nature.
Those born under this sign sometimes talk too much; and that comes straight from the Horse’s mouth. However, Horse babies are generally cheerful, keen and perceptive friends; and their tendency to talk your ear off is often forgiven. They are down-to-earth, with a definite streak of stubbornness. They are quiet talented, and enjoy entertainment and hamming it up for large crowds. They are the popular folk in the bunch, and active at work. They neither take failure lightly, nor easily.
Wild Horses
The sign brings with it an element of unrestrained freedom and wild horses couldn’t stop a Horse person whose mind is set on something. Those born in this year neither fare well when restrained, nor can they tolerate too much constraint.
Despite their stubborn and driven nature, people born in the Horse year sometimes have interests that are shallow and lacking in substance, with no real depth to carry these pursuits to fruition. Their stubborn streak is accompanied by an impatient and generally hot-blooded character for everything outside of their daily work. They demonstrate endurance, but with a bad temper.
Should you try to give them advice, be prepared for this to fall on deaf ears. People born under this sign are independent and rarely listen to your two-cents’ worth.
Because they do not handle failure very well, a pessimistic attitude may develop when they do encounter failure.
Horse-born people tend to be wasteful and lacking monetary constraint. “Budget” is not a part of their vocabulary, and they like to live the high-life; often moving in glamorous circles, while going after high-profile careers. They tend to be flamboyant, and live it up whenever they can.
Those born in this year have a habit of sticking their nose into others’ business; as such, they sometimes fail to finish their own endeavours.
Horsing around
A person born in the year of horse is quite the emotional adventurer, frequently falling in and out of love. Ever the charmer, there is never a shortage of people who will give in to the physical appeal of those born in this year.
The Horse person enjoys the easy conquest, and loses interest quickly if the person pursued plays hard-to-get.
As a result of this fickle nature, there is the belief in Chinese culture that those born under this sign do not make for good spouses.
When a Horse person does manage to commit, however, it is possible for him or her to take the commitment seriously. Horse people are often disorderly with their domestic duties but are loving and spirited partners. A tip for those with a Horse person for a partner: win them over with tenderness and affection.
In general, Horse people must be cautious with affairs of the heart, seeking to gain maturity and experience before committing to a serious relationship.
Betting on the Horse
As a business partner, and in terms of career, you can put your money on the Horse person. They make for very active business associates—though a touch unconventional in their methods and ideas—and are hardworking, goal-oriented people. They will do what they can to resolve problems, instead of avoiding these. They have a productive imagination that complements their drive to succeed.
Should you get into business with a Horse person, it is to your benefit to guide them into being more reserved in their decisions, as they tend to make promises rather haphazardly. Take special care with contracts and business commitments, because the Horse person likes to take risks, albeit calculated ones.
The Horse person has the inherent potential to be an inspiring leader, but needs to learn self-restraint—especially with their words—when situations get out of hand.
Horse fast-facts
Ideal Jobs for the Horse person
Hair stylist, Tour guide, Sales person, Athlete, Technician, Administrator, Chauffer, Inventor, Teacher, Reporter, Painter, Advertising executive, Poet.
Horoscope elements
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13, 14, 41, 43
Equivalent Western Sign: Gemini
Element: Fire
Lucky Colors: Red, brown, yellow, purple
Unlucky Colors: Blue, white, golden
Lucky Flowers: Calla lily, jasmine, marigold
Yin/Yang: Yang
Direction: South
Some prominent Horse personalities
Rowan Atkinson, Ingmar Bergman, Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, Cindy Crawford, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, Britt Ekland, Linda Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Harrison Ford, Bob Geldof, Gene Hackman, Rita Hayworth, Jimi Hendrix, Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Raquel Welch, John Travolta, Michael York. Louisa May Alcott, Chopin, Davy Crockett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Sandra Day O’Connor, Rembrandt, Teddy Roosevelt, Sir Isaac Newton, Cynthia Nixon, Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford, Jason Biggs, Jackie Chan, Jerry Seinfeld, Leonard Bernstein, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Rembrandt, Ashton Kutcher, Emma Watson, Josh Hartnett, Katie Holmes, Kristen Stewart, Kobe Bryant, Genghis Khan, Emperor Kangxi and Yongzheng of China’s Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911)
Horse Compatibility
Compatible with: Tiger, Dog, Ram
Less Compatible with: Pig, Monkey, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Ox, Rooster, Dragon
Least Compatible with: Rat
Positive traits
Productive, enthusiastic, amusing, warm-hearted, talented, agreeable, industrious, generous, sociable, autonomous, strong minded, sexy, curious, persuasive and logical.
Negative traits
Defiant, condescending, unscrupulous, anxious, moody, excessively pragmatic, opportunistic, hard-nosed, self-serving and annoyingly insensitive.
Sources:
http://www.gotohoroscope.com
http://www.onlinechineseastrology.com
http://www.travelchinaguide.com
