Welcome to Chinese Lunar New Year 2017, known as the year of the “Fire Rooster”! What’s it all about and what could it mean to you and your military family? We’ve got a few details for you to consider. Let’s get started…
About the Chinese Zodiac
The first thing to know about the Year of the Fire Rooster is that it’s part of a 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar that assigns 12 different animals to each year: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
In 2017, the Year of the Rooster starts on January 28, 2017, and continues to February 15, 2018.
Chinese astrology further divides its 12 zodiac animals into five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, Water. So, when you match up a Chinese zodiac animal with an element, you get a general personality type — not only for people born during that lunar cycle, but also the personality of the year that is represented by that combination.
In 2017, the element + character combination is a Fire Rooster.
The U.S. Military & the Chinese Zodiac
Here are a few interesting facts for you about the formation of our military:
- The U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army, founded in 1775, were created in the year of the Wood Goat. According to FutureScopes.com, “Of all the five elements in Chinese astrology, Wood is perhaps the one most deeply associated with human warmth and empathy for the world at large. When allied with a sign like the Goat, the end personality is likely to be calm and thoughtful but also industrious and successful.“
- The U.S. Coast Guard, founded in 1790, was created in the year of the Metal Dog. FutureScopes.com says, “Despite an essential courageous nature, the Dog is at times given to moodiness which makes him/her somewhat indecisive… withdrawn, restless and anxious. At such times… under the influence of Metal, the Dog is able to take firmer decisions; there is a steely resolve which helps [the Dog] choose a particular course of action and… stick to it.“
- The U.S. Air Force, founded in 1947, was created in the year of the Fire Pig. This sign is distinguished on FutureScopes.com by these characteristics: “Fire is associated with dynamism and courage… in signs like the Pig, Fire works to make it strong and successful on various levels.“
More About Roosters
The following years (and the people born in them, unless you’re born in January or early February, in which case you are part of the preceding lunar year) are considered Roosters: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017.
Note: Each of these years is represented by a different element. For example, Roosters born in 2017 are Fire Roosters, while Roosters born in 2005 are Wood Roosters.
In a nutshell, here is what you can expect from the various element + Rooster combinations, according to ChinaHighlights.com:
Wood Rooster
Born in 1945 or 2005
Energetic, overconfident, tender, and unstable
Fire Rooster
Born in 1957 or 2017
Trustworthy, with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work
Earth Rooster
Born in 1909 or 1969
Lovely, generous, trustworthy, and popular with their friends
Gold Rooster
Born in 1921 or 1981
Determined, brave, perseverant, and hardworking
Water Rooster
Born in 1933 or 1993
Smart, quick-witted, tenderhearted, and compassionate
What Do Rooster People & Years Look Like?
What’s the first thing you think about when you think of roosters? Crowing, perhaps? Up at the crack of dawn? Never keeping quiet? Always keeping busy? Strutting their stuff? Hmm…. Well, you’re right. That’s a pretty good indication of what Rooster people (and years) are like.
You can get a taste of their personalities by watching the performances of these musicians, born in either 1957, 1969 or 1981: Marc Almond, Daniel Ash, Billy Bragg, Beyonce, Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, Loreena McKennitt, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, and Dweezil Zappa.
(You are forewarned: Some images and language may not be appropriate for all audiences.)
You will notice that some of their personalities seem gentle and kind, while others are more showy and unabashed. Of course, all of that could be a stage personality; you never know what someone is really like in their private life, but… it does highlight the difference that elements can make to creating the Rooster personality in the Chinese zodiac.
The commonality between all of the Rooster personalities seems to be a desire and ability to reliably effect change, and/or to inspire others to do so.
What Will This Rooster Year Be Like?
If you were born in a Rooster year, it may not be your best year ever (in fact, it may be downright unlucky for you!), but that goes for Monkeys who just experienced 2016, the most recent Monkey year, and for those born in the same sign as the next animal year, and so on.
What does “unlucky” mean? Well, it could be as simple as things being just that much harder to accomplish this year than you’d like. Maybe your budget will fall a little short. Maybe you’ll miss out on an opportunity you were looking forward to. Maybe you’ll experience a few health issues now and then.
But there are also a number of good things to look forward to for all of us, whether or not we were born as a Rooster. For instance, the relationships we have with others will be strong and help us get through any unforeseen difficult times. We can expect our days to be active, engaging, entertaining, straightforward, non-stop….
More specifically:
This Rooster year will support our ability to:
- Stay focused
- Communicate with others
- Feel bright and energized
- Participate in meaningful activities
- Pursue our ambitions
But we should be careful not to come across as:
- Impatient
- Critical
- Selfish
Here is a month-by-month breakdown (from TravelChinaGuide.com) of how work, wealth, love and health may be for Roosters in 2017.
How Can You Make 2017 a Great Year?
A few things for ALL signs (not just Roosters) to look forward to:
- Hard work — and it’s going to pay off. Don’t hold back or let things slack off. Staying on top of your plans will help you accomplish them. For instance, if you’ve got a home improvement project coming up… stay focused and tackle it until it’s done. You’ll enjoy the year much better knowing it’s finished.
- Saving a little extra money on the side. Be sure to make a habit of tending to your finances early in the year to help ensure you are prepared for any unforeseen expenditures. If you will be making a PCS this year, a little stash of cash might make a huge difference in the type of home you can afford, or the furnishings you put into it. (BTW, this might be a good time to calculate your life insurance needs… not because anything bad is going to happen, but because you will be thinking more about money and life in general this year.)
- Romance will be in full bloom. Ready to receive extra attention? It’s coming your way… so, glam up your look. Build your biceps. And show ’em what you’ve got. Going to a special event or two throughout the year? Don’t be surprised if the entire room notices you’ve got a certain glow about you.
- Feisty fashion will abound. Get in touch with your more colorful, more whimsical side and you’ll fit right in. You’ll find yourself shining brighter every day — even if you’re just going to the grocery store — if you add a little flash of the unexpected here and there.
- Manly men will be your best buddies. They’ll be on your side, ladies, so get ready to say yes when your man (or future man?) offers to lend you a hand or show his support. Whatever you need help with, let him know. If he can help you out, he will step right in. And, men… if you see something that needs fixing or a time when your efforts can make a difference to someone in need, go for it!
Doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Enjoy!
What are you looking forward to in 2017? Share your story by commenting below, or tell us your story.
