2018 – The Year of the Dog

Renee Lehman

(2/2018) The Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year or Chinese Spring Festival), one of the traditional Chinese festivals, is the grandest and the most important festival for Chinese people. It originated during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th - 11th century BCE), and it is an important time for families to get together, similar to Christmas Day for westerners. It is also a time to hope for the return of spring, to welcome prosperity, wealth, and longevity, and a time to remove any negative qi (pronounced "chee") from the past. There is even a tradition prior to the New Year for every family to thoroughly clean the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes of making way for good incoming luck.

Chinese Calendar History

The Chinese calendar was originated by the Yellow Emperor Huang Ti, and has been in use for centuries. The Chinese calendar is called a lunar calendar, but is really a calendar based on the moon and the sun. The Gregorian calendar, which the world uses today (originated 430 years ago) is a solar calendar. (The Chinese Lunar New Year always begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, in case you were wondering why it’s on a different date every year.)

The Twelve Animals of the Chinese Calendar

The Chinese calendar is made of five, twelve-year cycles. Each of the twelve years of the Chinese calendar is appointed one of the following 12 animal’s names (in this order): rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon (the only mythological animal), snake, horse, goat/sheep, monkey, fowl/rooster, dog, and pig. The animal that rules the year of your birth is said to exercise a major influence over your life, and that year in general. Much of the information used for this article is taken from The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora and Laura Lau, 2007. The sign of the Dog is the eleventh sign of the Chinese zodiac, and the animal related to this coming New Year. The Dog may be the most likeable sign in the Chinese horoscope. The Dog has a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice and fair play.

The Dog

The martial strains have summoned me
to hear your sorrows,
still your pain.
I am the protector of Justice.
Equality – my sole friend.
My vision is never blurred by cowardice,
my soul never chained.
Life without honor
is life in vain.
I Am The Dog (Lau & Lau, 2007)

February 16, 2018 through February 4, 2019 is the Year of the Dog.

Considering that the Rooster is known as the "Dawn Awaker," this past year we had the opportunity to WAKE UP on many levels! The Year of the Rooster brought us fresh challenges requiring quick wit and practical solutions! The Year of the Dog is a year for progress. Focus on achieving the life that you really want out of your life!

Dog Personality

If you were born in one of the following years, your sign is the Dog (January 28, 1922 – February 15, 1923; February 14, 1934 - February 3, 1935; February 2, 1946 – January 21, 1947; February 18, 1958 - February 7, 1959; February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971; January 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983; February 10, 1994 – January 30, 1995; and January 29, 2006 – February 17, 2007). A person born in the year of the Dog is known for being honest, intelligent and straightforward. Dogs are very loyal, once you have gained his/her allegiance. Just don’t be opposed to what the Dog believes is correct and just. If you oppose the Dog, watch the Dog snarl and show his/her teeth!

The Dog is typically amiable and unpretentious, and will know how to get along with others. However, the Dog is prone to spells of erratic and cantankerous behavior (dogs can get your attention with good or unruly behavior)!

Overall, the Dog is not materialistic and prefers plain talk. However, the Dog can become cynical, because the Dog by nature is a pessimist. The Dog worries and expects trouble – think about how Dogs are often protecting those s/he loves! The Dog will always defend his/her territory. The Dog will have a high sense of values, and to him/her, home and family will come first.

Famous People born in the Year of the Dog:

• Andre Agassi, American Tennis Player
• Matt Damon, American Actor
• Tina Fey, American Actress and Comedian
• Mother Theresa, Albanian Roman Catholic Nun and Missionary
• Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister
• William J. Clinton, American President
• Susan Sarandon, American Actress
• Norman Mailer, American Writer and Director
• Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel
• Prince William of Great Britain
• Christiane Amanpour, American Journalist
• Alec Baldwin, American Actor
• And of course, Lassie, Snoopy, and Scooby Doo!!!!

General Predictions for the Year of the Dog

The Year of the Dog is an appropriate time for making life changes – relocating your home, changing jobs/relationships, starting a new business venture, and improving your lifestyle/health habits. It is a year to focus on getting what you want out of your life. Do your best, because this is a year for progress. You are likely to work more than play this year, and it will pay off for years to come.

The Year of the Dog will also bring increased sensitivity to social issues. Many voices around the world will bring increased social awareness and interest in society’s less powerful members. Finally, any tendencies toward greediness and self-indulgence will be replaced by a widespread sentiment of generosity and selflessness.

Finally, lucky is the person who is loved by a Dog, because you will likely be loved forever.

Here’s to Action during the Year of Dog 2018!

Quotes to Live by in the Year of the Dog:

"Loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain

"Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained." - Helen Keller

"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same." - Albert Einstein

And finally, something from Scooby Doo: "Scooby Dooby Doo!"

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist with 30 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.