Today, China celebrated the start of a new year, the year of the snake. Each Chinese’s year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, and Boar. The year 2013 is the year of the Snake. This animal is associated with the dragon and many called it the junior dragon. According to the Chinese astrology, all the people born on the year of the snake are said to be thoughtful, stylish, determined, but complex characters. These people are said to know how to manage their lives, destinies and destinations. They are calm, sophisticated, but not emotional. China’s late Chairman Mao Zedong was born in the year of the snake.
For many Chinese people, this is their only holiday in the year and they try to celebrate it as the most important day of their life. The Chinese government tried to restrict the celebration by decreasing the number of fireworks to help deal with Beijing’s notorious air pollution; however, the population seemed to not pay attention to this call. Lets start the Snake’s year and see how it goes for China and the world.
U.S. Fulbright Fellow 2012-2013 