The Year of the Snake.
This Sunday marks the end of the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese
calendar, which can only mean one thing: ladies and gentlemen, say hello
to the Year of the Snake!
Now, that might not mean a whole lot to some of us here in the
western part of the planet. But make no mistake about it, for billions
of other Earthlings, especially for folks planning to be parents, there
is quite a bit of thinking going on in regards to the serpent year.
See, in the tradition of the Chinese New Year, it is believed that
people born under each of the twelve different individual animal signs
(with subspecies chosen each year — this year it’s Water Snake) will
ultimately carry certain traits that define the animal.
And so naturally, when you’re dealing with this kind of natural
variety: Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey,
Chicken, Dog, Pig … you’re going to have some that are perennial
favorites and some that are not so much.
An article in the
New Strait Times explains
that last year, being born under the sign of the Dragon was extremely
coveted by legions of planning parents-to-be. In fact, it was so
important to be born under
that sign which is said to bring
more luck and success other signs, that “the rush for a Dragon baby was
so real that hospitals and maternity wards were reportedly full, even in
Malaysia.”
But what about the poor old Snake?
Isn’t he as good, or even almost as good as the Dragon is?
Will babies born in this new Chinese year have a tougher time of things? After all, as an
ABC.com story
points out, the last two Year of the Snakes brought about some pretty
bad events; 1989′s Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing and 2001′s 9/11
tragedy in New York.
But does that really mean much?
Not according to New Strait Times, which claims that “the
Snake’s inherent element is fire, thus Snake children tend to be polite,
active, energetic, humble, respectful, intuitive, smart and patient.
They can also be demanding and cunning.”
A
USA Today article out today claims, “People born in the year of the snake are believed to be good at business.”
And when ABC.com talked to Taiwanese astrologer Tsai Shang-chi, he
told them he believes that even though “snakes were often associated
with monsters…(and) some political turbulence can be expected,” he also
thinks babies born under the sign of the Snake will be “self-motivated
and agile.”
Only time will tell.
In
a day and age during which couples often hear a million reasons why
they shouldn’t stay together, it’s nice to hear some reasons from time
to time as to why they should. Sure, marriage isn’t always easy, but to
find someone who you can travel on your journey through life with is a gift.
To have someone who will stand by your side as you weather life’s
storms is a blessing. And to experience true love is a reason to feel
joyful (and eat chocolate). This month, as we celebrate love, why not
pay tribute to a union that, when entered into, is often done so with so
much of it. As an ode to February 14th here are 14 quotes about
marriage. Happy Valentine’s Day to those who still say “I do” every
single day.
