Happy Chinese New Year of Tiger

Festival & Culture
AS FROM 01.02.2022
A NEW YEAR OF TIGER 
Chinese New Year of tiger
 
The Chinese Zodiac, a system that has existed in Chinese culture for more than 2,000 years, dictates which animal represents a given year.  The cycle repeats every 12 years, and 2021 is the Year of the Ox. Different characteristics are assigned to each animal, and this is traditionally used to determine fortune.
 

 
The tiger is the third of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, a long, long time ago, the lion rather than the tiger was a Chinese zodiac sign. However, the lion was too ferocious and notorious, so the Jade Emperor in charge of Chinese Zodiac wanted to remove the lion from the list and he had to choose another animal to replace the lion. At this time, the Jade Emperor thought of the tiger guardian in front of the Heavenly Palace
 
tiger guardian chinese Tang Dynasty pottery antique
Chinese Antiques 中国古董
A Painted Pottery Figurine of Protector in Tiger Skin, Tang Dynasty, 618 A.D. to 906 A.D., Early 8th Century
 
But soon later, the animals and birds acted wildly because there was no one to take in charge and they caused a disaster to human world, shocking the Land God who hurriedly reported to the Heavenly Palace and asked the Jade Emperor to suppress the animals. The Jade Emperor sent the tiger to come down to earth and the tiger required the Jade Emperor to record a merit for every of its victory. 
 
When the tiger returned to the Heavenly Palace, the Jade Emperor carved three horizontal lines on its forehead for its three victories.Later, the mortal world was disturbed by the East Sea Turtle Monster and the earth was in a flood; the shrimps and crabs did evil in the world. This time, the tiger came to earth again and bit the Turtle Monster to death. The Jade Emperor was so happy that he carved a vertical line among the three horizontal lines. Therefore, an eye-catching Chinese character "王" (literally king) appeared on the forehead of the tiger. From then on, the tiger became the king of all animals. Today, we can still see the imposing Chinese character "王" on the forehead of tigers.
 
LIU Dongyao tiger chinese ink painting
LIU Dongyao 刘冬遥
Tiger 虎, 2021
Ink, natural mineral pigment on rice paper
180 x 97 cm

The Tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China. The zodiac sign Tiger is a symbol of strengthexorcising evils, and braveness.
 

 
chinese tiger shoe
 
Many Chinese kids wear hats or shoes with a tiger image for good luck. Giving out red packets to kids and elders will help cast away the bad luck (demon Nian) and bring good luck in. Besides, decorating your house with kumquat trees (symbolizing wealth & good luck), wearing your lucky color, and eating lucky food like rice dumplings (family togetherness), fried flour-coated peanuts (vitality), walnut cookies (happiness), etc. are popular ways to get lucky.
 
January 15, 2022