Twenty third of January 2012 mark the beginning of a New Lunar Year for Chinese all around the world. I saw this very comical ads a few days ago illustrating a dragon, booting the rabbit out which signaled the end of the year of the rabbit and the beginning of the year of the dragon. Here were some quick facts I found on the net regarding the dragon:
1. The dragon is usually illustrated as a four legged serpent with a long snout and a mane. There are multiple explanation on the origin of the dragon. Look up wiki if you are interested with it.
2. The dragon is the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle and the only mythical creature in the lunar calendar.
3. As of 2013, we are in the Water Phase of "Wu Xing" (Five Movements/Phases/Steps/Stages, commonly known as the Five Element) so this is the year of the Water Dragon. It will take approximately 60 years for us to revisit the Year of the Water Dragon which is in year 2073.
4. Chinese believed that it is good to have a baby born in the year of the dragon. Hence the increase in birth rate in the year of the dragon.
With that, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.
Credit goes to Zid for this great illustration of Amatsu from the Monster Hunter series.
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