Were you lucky enough to be born in the Chinese Tiger Year? If the birth years 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022 are cause for you to get loud and growl, then congrats: you could very well be a terrific Tiger! (We’ll leave it to you to check the exact dates which range from January into February, depending on the year, and the element associated with your birthdate.)
Chinese Tiger Year: Time to Lighten Up and Love!
Others often view you as charming and popular. You’re not short on self-confidence either (for obvious tigerly reasons). On the other hand, you could lighten up a little. After all, you’re very good at scaring people! But let’s look mainly at the positive traits of this all-powerful Chinese sign: You’re most definitely able to work enthusiastically, and as a true Tiger, you express yourself without qualms.
What’s more: If you were born in the Chinese Tiger Year, you’re a courageous creature. That means you, along with your cohorts born under this auspicious sign, are seen as natural leaders. Due to its fearlessness, the tiger symbol has long been used as a talisman by soldiers worldwide. In fact, “its realm is one where demons would be unwise to tread,” according to the BBC.
The Tiger Swam to Third in Jade Emperor´s Race
Legend tells us that the Jade Emperor, a key figure in classical Chinese religion, once invited animals from far and wide to a race that included crossing a river to reach the finish line. 12 species showed up at the start: a Pig, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Sheep, Horse, Snake, Dragon (not considered an animal by most, but it is in fact the magnificent creature that lords over the year 2024 we’re now passing through!), Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat.
You know by now (at least by reading my previous columns here!) that the Rat finished first, mainly due to its cleverness, while the plodding but ever-steady Ox came second. Not necessarily the best swimmer, the Tiger surprisingly arrived in third. To reward these special participants, the Emperor named one year after each in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Funnily enough, the crossing marks we can distinguish on the Tiger’s forehead are keenly similar to the Chinese character for ‘King,’ along with all its righteousness. Except for a jealous lion, nobody would ever doubt that the Tiger is the king of beasts.
The Wisdom and Danger of Chinese Tiger Year
Tigers provide the topic for many intriguing sayings in Chinese, in particular those focused on bravery, dominance, and strength. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (a hit film from 2000) gained its name from such a saying, warning us to never underestimate others. They could indeed have exceptional abilities and talents which aren’t immediately apparent, in the words of Dr. Lan Lo at the University of Nottingham.
Furthermore, ‘adding wings to a tiger’ means turning something that’s already potent into an even more powerful entity. Imagine a skillful and successful sports team (hopefully that you root for!) inking a contract with a proven player and in turn terrorizing opponents even more.
And that’s exactly where those born in the Chinese Tiger Year trip us up. We all know of this creature’s mysterious and unpredictable nature. It glides unseen through the jungle, always ready to strike. This is still given as a reason why birth rates fall considerably in Asian countries during the volatile Chinese Tiger Year, despite the fact that we’re living in 2024.
Tiger babies are feared by some because they can be ferocious and rebellious, according to Singaporean researcher Tan Poh Lin. (I’m not quite sure what to do about my son who shows the same traits, even though he was born in the gentle Chinese Year of the Rabbit!)
The Tiger Prospers in The Wood Dragon Chinese Year
At the end of this dynamic Chinese Year of the Wood Dragon, which covers most of 2024, which Tiger traits can we bring to the fore to enjoy better health (financial, physical, and spiritual) and grow in line with the abundance the Dragon allows us?
Remember that the Tiger wants most to be free. So free yourself, whoever you are: be brave, and boldly go get what you need and want. In this Chinese Year of the Dragon, the Tiger should expect big changes, exciting challenges, and plenty of personal growth, in the words of the Traveloka team. That sounds like a good recipe for all of us.
Finally, females born in the Chinese Tiger Year can cultivate purposeful new relationships while making existing ones stronger this year. In the meantime, Tiger males realize that current relationships can really blossom with open communication in 2024. (Excuse me then while I go talk to my significant other, right now, about a bunch of pressing stuff I’ve procrastinated on for too long!)
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American writer Will Beebe spent 15 years living in Japan and Taiwan. With his sister Susan a merry Monkey (and married to an Ox!) and brother Seth a pleasant Pig, Beebe was born in the Chinese Year of the Rooster. As well as being a passionate, powerful Scorpion, he’s intrigued by both the Occidental and Oriental zodiacs. | Connect with Will B. on X: @WABeebe11
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