The last days of the outgoing year and the threshold of the new always seem to us significant, special, filled with deep meaning. We dream of getting rid of the failures and worries that have bothered us the past 12 months, and look forward with hope tomorrow, trying to predict what he is preparing for us? And, of course, we are curious: what symbolic animal will take over with the last blow of the clock on New Year's Eve?
Myths and legends
Let's look at what the
eastern calendar of animals by years represents. Many legends and myths are associated with its origin. The most famous says that once the Buddha called all the creatures of the earth to himself on an important matter. And those 12 who appeared before the eyes of the deity before others received a wonderful reward: to rule over the destinies of peoples and states for as long as 12 months. So the eastern calendar of animals was created over the years.
Astronomical data
How everything really happened is hard to say now. It is only known that it is based on the astronomical cycles of two celestial bodies, the main for the Earth - the Sun and the Moon, as well as Saturn and Jupiter. The eastern calendar of animals by years includes a frequency of 12 years. That is exactly what Jupiter needs to complete a complete revolution around the Sun. And given that in ancient times, the nomadic peoples inhabiting the present territories of the East Asian region revered Jupiter as their patron and endowed it with mystical properties, it is clear why the eastern calendar of animals is designed for 12 years by years. The first to think of it were the Chinese. It was almost 4 thousand years ago. And now this calendar is the main not only in China, but also in Japan, Korea, Kampuchea, Mongolia, Thailand and many other countries. Moreover, the signs of the zodiac on the eastern calendar as symbols of the year with pleasure recognized in the Old and New Worlds. And in Russia too!
Star zoo
Let's list the lucky ones that Buddha noted for his special location. It is known that animals did not resort to it all at once, but in turn. As a result of this, one or the other was preferred. The countdown of the new year began with the second full moon, which came after the winter - December in our opinion - solstice. According to the eastern calendar, the zodiac signs begin with the Rat. Next, in order, follow the year of the Bull and Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare) and the Dragon, Snake and Horse. The latter, by the way, the belly is a symbol of the outgoing year, and we can hear the measured clatter of her hooves for a few more days. And in place of the Horse, a restless workaholic with a noble but restive character, the melancholic, sometimes loving to put her horns and throw up, but generally peaceful home-made Goat hurries. The signs of the zodiac on the eastern calendar are not the same in all countries of Asia. A goat is revered in China. And in Japan, it is believed that the year 2015 will pass under the control of the Sheep. Then follow the Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig (or the Boar). Here is such a heavenly zoo!
Elements and Elements
Astrologers note that the symbols of the eastern calendar are not limited to animals. They include the basic natural elements and elements. These are Fire, Wood, Earth, Water, Metal. Each is assigned a specific symbolic meaning. A tree is the personification of the East itself, the place where the sunrise begins, the beginning of life, spring, youth, flowering, the emergence, the origin of all life processes. The main
symbol of good fortune among the Chinese - the Dragon - is located in the eastern part of the house or temple. Fire is the South; it is associated with the
summer solstice. Metaphorically, the element of fire is equated to progress, prosperity, the disclosure of one’s own potentials in different spheres of life, the growth of prosperity and abundance. It is associated with fame, self-realization. Thus, Fire is a manifestation of the most powerful and bright flowering, the culmination of something.
Philosophy of the East
The table of the eastern calendar will be incomplete without the elements of the Earth - central in the eastern philosophical system. In the cosmic spheres, its correspondence is the North Star, the prototype of the earthly imperial power. Consequently, the earthly element is associated with the ordering, legitimization of any processes, manifestations of control and order, as well as confrontations because of them. And if the Chinese philosophers connected the Tree with spring, then the Earth is the middle of summer, the ripening of fruits and fruits, as well as the wise time of the maturity of human life. Metal is reliability, strength, justice, hardness. The element is associated with the sun, just setting, and is associated with the West - a sunset. Metaphorically, it denotes the decline of human life, wise contemplation, "time to gather stones" and reap the harvest. And water, flowing and changing, is considered the most incomprehensible and mysterious among the eastern sages. It is associated with the North, the winter solstice, old age and its inherent wisdom, the rejection of false illusions, and appeasement.
Cosa Dereza
But let us return to this day, to our urgent matters. The upcoming year, according to the eastern calendar, is the year of the Goat. What interesting can you learn about him from astrological characteristics? In the 21st century, we will meet the "bearded beauty" for the second time - the first came in 2003. In Russian folklore, a goat is an animal rather capricious and crafty. It’s difficult to please her, because of Dereza’s dirty tricks, she’s much beaten, and her sides are tattered. At the same time, a goat is a nurse, a kind, unpretentious animal, very clean, its milk is more useful and more valuable than cow's. In the East, especially among the poor, Dereza was very much appreciated. But the attitude to the goats was somewhat different: they are dissolute, and stupid, and pugnacious. And for some reason, the "old." The swearing expression "old goat" wanders from nation to nation, from one national culture to another.
Symbol of the year
What is characteristic of the year of the Goat on the eastern calendar? If we take into account the fact that goats really love affection, they respond with pleasure to it, then from the years of which it is a totem, one should also expect calmness, goodwill, peace and wise resolution of many global and minor conflicts. Calmness and stability, without sudden leaps and changes, should please everyone who is tired of crises and changes and is an adherent of eternal values. Therefore, if you will treat others with sincere friendliness and cordiality, the support of Goat-Dereza is provided to you! The ruler of the cosmic mysteries in 2015 will be Jupiter - a planet that brings with it world harmony and order, the highest justice and establishes the most important laws of human communion and mercy. It is not surprising that many people associate hopes for positive changes in their lives with the “year of Jupiter”.
Sheep pastoral
According to the eastern calendar, a sheep shares a New Year’s throne with a Goat. She was chosen as a totem by the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. Sheep, as we know, animals are extremely peaceful and cute. Someone considers them stupid, true, but in Christian mythology, Christ himself was compared with a lamb - a meek and defenseless lamb. Nature, indeed, did not make sure that the lambs could stand up for themselves - they have neither strong hooves, nor sharp horns, nor ferocious fangs. Therefore they are so dependent on the person. But the Year of the Sheep, in this case, should not be warlike, with cataclysms and natural disasters. On the contrary, calm and calm should bring with it a meek sheep.
Horned Varieties
It is not for nothing that we noted the connection of the Chinese calendar not only with the animal kingdom, but also with natural elements and elements. Indeed, in accordance with them, each totem resides in one or another hypostasis. So, already past 1931 and 1991 and coming in the decades of 2051 belong to the Goat Metallic. The Water Goat was 1943, 2003 and will be 2063. The wooden Goat walked around the world in 1955, will return a few days later - in 2015, and then affably nod its horns in 2075. The Kingdom of the Fire Goat fell on 1907 and 1967, then it will come in 2027. And finally, Earth Goat greeted the world with its “mekan” in 1919 and 1979, and again we will hear it in 2051. Happy new year friends? Yes, happy new year!