With the new year well underway, all the new year’s traditions are currently in the spotlight. One of which is the predictions and philosophies for the upcoming year. While it varies across different cultures, one discussed world-wide is the Chinese zodiac that will represent the new year and what it will bring.
In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an element (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) and animal. There are 12 animals that each represent a year: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The animals are in this order for a specific reason, which can be explained through the Heavenly Gate Race legend, the origin story of the 12 Chinese zodiacs.
This is just one of the many (simplified) variations of the Heavenly Gate Race story:
The Heavenly Gate Race starts with the heavenly Jade Emperor. In a time with no Chinese zodiacs, the emperor decided that time should be divided into 12-year cycles, each year guarded by an earthly animal. He declared that the first 12 animals to arrive at the Heavenly Gate would become the guardians of each year in the 12-year calendar.
The rat was first to arrive by riding on the head of the ox when traveling through a river. The ox followed, coming in second. The tiger came in third and the rabbit fourth, who crossed the river by hopping from stone to stone, but both were fast and competitive. The dragon was fifth, who flewover the river, but stopped to bring rain to distressed farmers. The snake placed sixth after slithering off the horse’s hoof, who placed seventh. The goat came eighth, the monkey ninth, and the rooster tenth, as all three were not strong swimmers. The dog placed eleventh after taking time to splash around in the river and the pig came in last because it took a nap in the middle of the race.
In the 12-year cycle, 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. The dragon represents authority, prosperity, and good fortune. When united with the element of wood, the wood dragon is predicted to bring improvement, evolution and abundance. This means that 2024 is the perfect time for revitalized beginnings and the creating the foundations of long-term success.
In addition to this, everyone is assigned a Chinese zodiac based on the year they were born. For example, people born in 2008 are the Year of the Rat. Some characteristics and traits are associated with each animal and it is believed that a person adopts the characteristics of their assigned animal. As each animal possesses different traits, they are more compatible with certain zodiacs than others. This means, along with the new year’s predictions, there are also horoscopes for the other 11 zodiacs, predicting how their year will go.
For the students of Ida B. Wells High School, there are many different things 2024 could bring them. However, it is predicted that the Year of the Wood Dragon will bring instances of opportunity and positive impacts for all.
Seniors born in 2005 are the Year of the Rooster. Roosters may experience a year of highs and lows in different aspects of their life. It will be important to face challenges that come their way, particularly in their career or studies, as they will face new opportunities and advancements. It will be important to moderate their spending and act cautiously with their finances. Additionally, roosters will experience a healthy year with an excitement in 2024. This energy is advised to be focused in the right direction to reach their aspirations.
Seniors and juniors born in 2006 are the Year of the Dog. Dogs may face a more difficult time in 2024. Due to the dragon’s and dog’s energy not aligning, dogs may feel unmotivated and restricted in their career or studies and experience setbacks from managing uncertainties, hesitations and negative thoughts. However, 06’s will be led by the dog’s loyalty, determination and honesty. It will be important for them to find motivators and continue with their successes.
Juniors and sophomores born in 2007 are the Year of the Pig. Pigs will also benefit from 2024’s Year of the Dragon. They must be prepared to take on new opportunities, as this year will be full of of expansion and growth, with the dragon powering the innovations of the pig. It will still be important to create stability and take care of their health, instead of putting their career or studies above all. They will also get time to reflect more deeply on the past and emotions as well as settle or gain closure from past issues.
Sophomores and freshmen born in 2008 are the Year of the Rat. Rats are predicted to be met with a year where they thrive, due to the rat and dragon getting along best with one another. This will be a year of growth from taking deliberate chances and participating in new experiences, which will likely lead to a good chance of success and recognition in all parts of their life. It will be important to be flexible, adjust quickly and practice their communication skills to overcome obstacles, particularly in their career or studies.
Freshmen born in 2009 are Year of the Ox. While the Year of the Dragon will bring opportunities and personal development for all, oxes may experience difficulty this year due to the earthly energy of the ox not aligning with the energy of the wood dragon. The importance of patience, thoughtfulness and perseverance in the endeavors of their career, studies and finances will be more prominent this year as it will lead to long-term success. Their focus should not be on short-term goals reached through impulsive decisions. Also, creating healthy daily habits will lead to a year of continued wellness.
For many alike, learning about their horoscope is an interesting topic to delve into. Neea Mende, a student-leader of the Asian Desi Pacific Islander (ADPI) club, said, “It is fun to add a new element of culture and stories to your daily life and it is fun to think about it. Sometimes I like to speculate what will happen based on what is going on for my year, the year of the pig. At least in Vietnamese [culture] it was the golden pig, [which is] a special year.”
Chinese astrology is an intricate topic, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. While learning about your Chinese horoscope and the new year’s predictions is a fun pursuit for all, we’ll have to wait and see what 2024 truly brings.
