Queue and Golden give you the rundown on the Year of the Tiger and how you too can join the celebrations.
“What’s your sign?” The question has become loaded considering today’s fascination with suns, moons, and risings, but growing up as a first-generation Chinese American, this phrase often referred not to any of the above, but instead to Chinese zodiac signs. From inquiring aunties to kitschy Chinese buffet placemats, the Chinese zodiac was a constant reference. Like astrological zodiac horoscopes, the Chinese zodiac signs come with predicted personality traits, projected compatibilities, and potentially conflicting signs to avoid. And, like horoscopes, it is not unheard of for people to plan pregnancies around desired signs.
If you thought the start of Aquarius season was a big deal, Lunar New Year (or L.N.Y.) marks the beginning of a whole new zodiac sign’s year. With 12 Chinese zodiac signs, this means that each sign’s year comes only once every 12 years. So, as we ring in the Year of the Tiger, read on for a crash course in what this year means and how you can celebrate:
When is the Lunar New Year?
Feb. 1, 2022. Next year’s L.N.Y. will be on January 22, 2023. Because the Chinese zodiac follows a lunar calendar, our new year falls on a different date than the Western solar calendar each year.
Who identifies as the Year of the Tiger?
Those born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, or 2022 are considered the Year of the Tiger. Several other asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Myanmar, also follow a lunar calendar and zodiac, sometimes with different animals representing certain years. For example, the Vietnamese have the Year of the Cat instead of the Chinese’s Rabbit!
There are some technicalities to keep in mind: for example, if you were born in January or February of one of those years, there is a chance that your sign is actually that of the previous year. You can calculate your Chinese zodiac sign here.
What are the qualities of the Year of the Tiger?
According to the Chinese zodiac in The Woks of Life:
“Tigers are powerful individuals: authoritative, brave, and self assured, with a strong moral compass and belief system. They enjoy competition, or even fighting for a cause, but can sometimes struggle with their emotional and sensitive natures that allow them to be so passionate — sometimes becoming moody or intense.
When crossed, the combination of sensitivity and authority can make for a terrifying combination! They can sometimes find the more lighthearted or fickle animals of the zodiac silly or tiresome.”
Most compatible signs: Rooster or Dog make great companions, but Dragon, Horse, or Pig are best.
Be careful around: Snake, Monkey.
How can I celebrate the Lunar New Year?
Red envelopes containing money are a popular gift and signal good luck for the new year. You might also clean out your house before the new year to make space for new luck to enter. For an L.N.Y. movie night, support your local Chinatown by ordering from your favorite restaurants — among other symbolic foods, long noodles representing longevity are a great choice for L.N.Y. — and fire up Netflix for a few of our favorite Tiger-inspired streams:
Tigertail
Tiger King Season 2
The White Tiger
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
The Paper Tigers
Tigertail
A Taiwanese factory worker leaves his homeland to seek opportunity in America, where he struggles to find connection while balancing family and newfound responsibilities in this multi-generational drama from writer-director Alan Yang.
Season 2 of Tiger King
The colorful saga of America’s most notorious big cat owners continues. Sudden fame and unwanted attention from the authorities turns up the heat and unearths some stunning revelations.
The White Tiger
The epic journey of a poor Indian driver who must use his wit and cunning to break free from servitude to his rich masters and rise to the top of the heap. Based on The New York Times bestseller and 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning novel.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
In this sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, four Martial World heroes must keep the legendary Green Destiny sword from villainous Hades Dai.
The Paper Tigers
Three middle-aged men rely on their out-of-practice martial arts skills to avenge their fallen Kung Fu master.