PIG (ZODIAC)

'Hai' ('') is the twelfth sign of the Earthly Branches. Its animal representation is the 'Pig' ( ). In Chinese culture, the pig is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig is considered to be very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest.^[1]

Contents

Nomenclature

Years and the Five Elements

Attributes

Traditional Pig Attributes/Associations

References

Notes

Sources

General

Nomenclature

In the continuous sexagenary cycle, every twelfth year corresponds to ''Hai'', and is commonly called "the Year of the Pig" (豬年).There are five types of pig, named after the chinese elements. In order, they are:Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Less commonly, it is also called "the Year of the Boar", for two reasons. First, the character , which denotes pigs generally in Chinese, is used in Japanese to refer specifically to wild boars.^[2] Secondly, the pig has negative connotations in some Western cultures, and may even be considered a profanity. In official usage among English-speaking countries, Singapore^[3] and the United States^[4] prefer the term "Year of the Boar", while Commonwealth countries such as Australia ^{[5] [6]}, Canada^[7] and the United Kingdom^[8] prefer the term "Year of the Pig".

Years and the Five Elements

Persons born within these date ranges, of the lunar calendar, can be said to have been born in the "year of the Pig," while also bearing the following elemental sign:

★ 30 January, 1911 - 17 February, 1912: Metal Pig

★ 16 February, 1923 - 4 February, 1924: Water Pig

★ 4 February, 1935 - 23 January, 1936: Wood Pig

★ 22 January, 1947 - 9 February, 1948: Fire Pig

★ 8 February, 1959 - 27 January, 1960: Earth Pig

★ 27 January, 1971 - 14 February, 1972: Metal Pig

★ 13 February, 1983 - 1 February, 1984: Water Pig

★ 31 January, 1995 - 18 February, 1996: Wood Pig

★ 18 February, 2007 - 6 February, 2008: Fire Pig

★ 5 February, 2019 - 24 January, 2020: Earth Pig

★ 2031 - 2032: Metal Pig

★ 2043 - 2044: Water Pig
Note, however, that the elements identified in the above table are the elements associated with the relevant Heavenly Stem of that year. The Earthly Branch sign ''Hai'' (the sign represented by the Pig) itself is always associated with the element of Water.

Attributes

The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. They are a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, they are often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; they won't let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.^[9]
It is important to remember that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of them, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the countryside. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.^[9]
There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their character. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. However, they are not weak and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them.^[9]

Traditional Pig Attributes/Associations

Zodiac Location	12th
Ruling hours	9pm-11pm
Direction	North-northwest
Season and month	Autumn, October
Gemstone	Topaz
Color	light blue
Roughly equivalent western sign	Scorpio
Polarity	Yin
Positive Traits	Intellectual, bright, understanding, optimistic, intuitive, honest, altruistic.
Negative Traits	Materialistic, vulnerable, spendthrift, hesitant.
Countries	Jordan, Nepal, Armenia, Philippines, Angola, Lebanon

References

Notes

1. For a recent report that this belief is still widely held in China, see Edward Cody, "Oh, to be Born in the Year of the Pig," ''Washington Post'' (March 1, 2007).[1]
2. The Japanese instead use the character to refer specifically to the domestic pig. In Chinese, the two characters (豚 and 豬) are not differentiated in this way.
3. The Singapore Mint - 2007 Year of the Boar Note, however, that the commemorative coin concerned carries an image of the domesticated pig.
4. United States Postal Service - 1995 stamps
5. Australia Post - Lunar New Year - Year of the Pig
6. City of Sydney - Chinese New Year Celebrations
7. Canada Post - Year of the Pig stamps
8. Mayor of London - China in London
9. http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-zodiac-pig.html
10. http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-zodiac-pig.html
11. http://www.gotohoroscope.com/chinese-zodiac-pig.html


★ Year of the Pig won't be harmonious, Interview with Raymond Lo, by Venkatesan Vembu, Daily News & Analysis, 15 February 2007

Sources

★ [2]

General