The last days of the outgoing year and the threshold of the new look always to us significant, special, full of deep meaning. We dream to get rid of the failures and unrest that have been bothering us for the past 12 months, and look with hope in tomorrow, trying to predict what it is preparing for us? And, of course, we are curious: what symbolic animal will come into its own with the last blow of the clock on New Year's Eve?
Myths and legends
Let us consider what the eastern calendar of animals is by years. With the origin of its associated many legends and myths. The most famous saying is that one day the Buddha called to himself all the creatures of the earth on an important matter. And those 12 who appeared before the eyes of the deity before others, received a remarkable reward: to rule over the destinies of nations and states for as long as 12 months. Thus, the Eastern calendar of animals was created by years.
Astronomical data
How it all happened in reality is difficult to say at the moment. It is known only that it is based on the astronomical cycles of the two main heavenly bodies for the Earth - the Sun and the Moon, and also Saturn and Jupiter. The Eastern calendar of animals by years includes a periodicity of 12 years. This is what Jupiter needs to complete the revolution around the Sun. And if you consider that in ancient times nomadic peoples inhabiting the present territories of the East Asian region, revered Jupiter as their patron and endowed it with mystical properties, it is understandable why the eastern calendar of animals for years is calculated for exactly 12 years. The first to think of it were the Chinese. It was almost 4 thousand years ago. And now this calendar is the main one not only in the Middle Kingdom, but also in Japan, Korea, Kampuchea, Mongolia, Thailand and many other countries. Moreover, the signs of the Zodiac for the Eastern calendar as symbols of the year are recognized with pleasure in the Old and New World. And in Russia too!
Star Zoo
Let's enumerate those lucky people whom the Buddha noted for his special arrangement. It is known that the animals resorted to him not all at once, but in turn. Because of this, preference was given either to one or the other. The counting of the new year began with the second full moon, which came after the winter-December solstice in our way. Zodiac signs on the eastern calendar begin with the Rat. Next, in order, follow the year of the Bull and the Tiger, the Rabbit (or the Hare) and the Dragon, Snake and Horse. Last, by the way, the beast is a symbol of the outgoing year, and the measured knock of her hooves, we can hear a few more days. And to replace the Horse, a troubled laborer with a noble but rugged temper, hurries to melancholic, sometimes loving to expose horns and vzbryknut, but in general, peace-loving domestic goat. Signs of the zodiac for the eastern calendar are not the same in all Asian countries. A goat is revered in China. And in Japan it is believed that the year 2015 will be managed by the Sheep. This is followed by the Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig (or Boar). Here is such a heavenly zoo!
Elements and elements
Astrologers note that the symbols of the eastern calendar are not limited to animals only. They include the main natural elements and elements. It's Fire, Tree, Earth, Water, Metal. For each fixed a certain symbolic value. The tree is the personification of the East itself, the place from where the sunrise begins, the beginning of life, spring, youth, flowering, the emergence, the birth of all life processes. The main symbol of luck among the Chinese - the Dragon - is located in the eastern part of the house or temple. The fire is the South, it is connected with the summer solstice. Metaphorically, the elements of fire are equated to progress, prosperity, the disclosure of their own potentials in different spheres of life, the growth of wealth and abundance. He is connected with glory, self-realization. Thus, Fire is the manifestation of the most powerful and bright flowering, the culmination of something.
Philosophy of the East
The table of the eastern calendar will be incomplete without the elements of the Earth - the central one in the eastern philosophical system. In the cosmic spheres, the correspondence to it is the North Star, the prototype of the terrestrial imperial power. Consequently, the earthly element is connected with the ordering, legitimization of whatever processes, manifestations of control and order, and also confrontations because of them. And if the tree was associated with Chinese philosophers in the spring, then the Earth is the middle of summer, the ripening of fruits and fruits, as well as the wise age of the maturity of human life. Metal is reliability, strength, fairness, firmness. The element is connected with the Sun, only setting, and is associated with the West - the sunset. Metaphorically, it means the decline of human life, wise contemplation, "the time to gather stones," and reap the harvest. And the water, flowing and changeable, is considered the most incomprehensible and mysterious among the Eastern sages. It is associated with the North, the winter solstice, old age and its inherent wisdom, the rejection of false illusions, pacification.
Goat-Dereza
But we will return to the present day, to our urgent business. The coming year, according to the eastern calendar, is the year of Goat. What interesting can you learn about it from astrological characteristics? In the 21st century, we will meet the "bearded beauty" for the second time - the first one was in 2003. In Russian folklore, the goat is an animal that is capricious and crafty. It is difficult to please her, because of the dageness of Dereza Gorazd, that is why she is husked, and her sides are torn. At the same time, the goat is the nurse, the animal is good, unpretentious, very clean, its milk is more useful and valuable than cow's. In the East, especially among the poor, Dereza was much appreciated. But to the goats the attitude was somewhat different: they were slutty, and stupid, and pugnacious. And for some reason "old". The abusive expression "old goat" roams from the people to the people, from one national culture to another.
Symbol of the Year
What characterizes the year of the Goat in the Eastern calendar? If you take into account the fact that goats are very fond of caresses, they respond with pleasure to it, then from the years, the totem of which it is, one should also expect calmness, goodwill, peace and wise resolution of many global and minor conflicts. Tranquility and stability, without sudden jumps and changes, should please all those who are tired of crises and changes and are adherents of eternal values. Therefore, if you treat people with sincere affability and cordiality, you will have the support of Goat-Dereza! The guide of cosmic mysteries in 2015 will be Jupiter - a planet that carries with it world harmony and order, higher justice and establishes the most important laws of human community and charity. No wonder that many people associate with "the year of Jupiter" hopes for positive changes in their lives.
Pastoral with lambs
Sheep in the eastern calendar shares with the Goat the New Year's throne. Her as a totem chosen inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun. Sheep, as we know, are very rare and peaceful animals. Someone considers them stupid, true, but in Christian mythology Christ himself was compared with a lamb - a meek and defenseless lamb. Nature, really, did not take care of lambs to stand up for themselves - they do not have strong hooves, sharp horns, or fierce fangs. Because they are so dependent on a person. But the year the Sheep, in this case, should not be militant, with cataclysms and natural disasters. On the contrary, calm and calm should bring with itself the meek Sheep.
"Horned" varieties
We knowingly noted the relationship of the Chinese calendar not only with the animal world, but also with the elements and elements. After all, according to them, each totem is in one or the other hypostasis. So, the past 1931 and 1991 and the future in 2051 go to the Goat the Metal. The Water Goat was 1943, 2003, and it will be 2063. The wooden goat has been walking around the world in 1955, will return in a few days - in 2015, and then will nod gently with the horns already in 2075. The kingdom of the Fire Goat was in 1907 and 1967, then it will come in 2027. And, finally, the Earth Goat welcomed the world with its "sweeping" in 1919 and 1979, and again we will hear it in 2051-m. Happy new year friends? Yes, Happy New Year!