Photo: mnn.com
A Tale of Five Pigs
Happy New Year (again)!
While I realize it’s highly unlikely that many of you share ‘Boar’ status with me, I suspect there are at least a few of you who do. In fact, I know there are at least a couple of you out there, so I don’t feel too bad about indulging in a little bit of Boar-ology.
Actually, in spite of the appearance of self-indulgence, I’m only using the Year of the Pig as an example, since this subject is far too complicated to cover even superficially in a short blog post. But I thought you might find some of these descriptions interesting.
The Five Elements
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, there are five different variations attributed to each Chinese Zodiac animal. These differences are based on the elements, and change with each 12 year sub-cycle within the overarching 60 year cycle.
Last night I wrote about the five elements each particular sign expresses in any given year, which continue to rotate in order every 12 years:
Metal Water Wood Fire Earth
I must confess, I do not have anything but the most cursory of cursory understandings of how each element associated with a sign shapes the expression or experience of those born that particular year. While I am aware that there are quite a number of books and other materials available on Chinese Astrology, as well as the meaning and significance of The Five Elements in Eastern philosophy and study, I am using only two reference materials for this short post:
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes (6th edition) by Theodora Lau; and Pig, from The Chinese Horoscopes Library by Kwok Man-ho.
Chinese Astrology is a Complex Subject
The first of the books mentioned above is a 415 page treatise that probably only scratches the surface of the intricacies of this field of study. Not only are each of the twelve signs discussed, but the author then explains how the Chinese not only apply one of the five elements to each sign in a particular year, but also assigns seasons and ‘stems’ (a positive or negative energetic component – as opposed to a value judgment) to each sign. Not surprisingly, the system further breaks things down into two hour increments of a 24 hour day, assigning an animal sign to each of those twelve portions of the day as well, all of which influences the expression of the individual born at that time.
Learning the meanings and interactions of the five elements with and between each other appears daunting to me, and I know this is actually a very complex field of study.
Just for fun, though, I wanted to share with you the following intriguing descriptions of each type of Boar, which I believe are tied to how the particular element applies to the sign that year. I found these descriptions in the second book I reference above, Pig , which would probably qualify as a ‘pocket reference,’ it’s so small.
Anyway, following are the Boar years spanning the last century or so. Beside each set of dates, you’ll see the element associated with those years and, beside the element, I’ve quoted the poetic description and first paragraph of how that element is interpreted by the author of Pig.
1911 and 1971: Metal – “Pig in the Garden” – “This is a very complex Pig. Its natural intelligence is combined with a certain brashness and lack of innate wisdom, which can lead to unnecessary trouble.”
1923 and 1983: Water – “Pig in the Forest” – “This is a classic Pig. It leads a solitary life, it is obstinate, yet it remains essentially fortunate. It does not worry about the consequences of its actions.”
1935 and 1995: Wood – “Pig Passing By” – “This is a classic Pig personality – although you may suffer while you are young, you should invariably enjoy happier times as you grow older.”
1947 and 2007: Fire – “Pig Passing the Mountain” – “This Pig possesses great talent and self-assurance. Unfortunately, it also has a quick temper, which might lead it to unwise decisions and hasty actions.”
1959 and 2019: Earth – “Monastery Pig” – “The ultimate threat to any Pig is being eaten. Chinese monks are vegetarian, however, and since this Pig lives in a monastery, it will never be threatened.”
This Just Scratches the Surface
I guess the upshot of all of this is that over the next year, there will be lots of little pampered Piglets being born. Hopefully they will be pampered, but not spoiled!
One last thing I’d like to mention is that my description in yesterday’s post on how the Chinese new year is determined each year may not be entirely accurate, although I know it is connected with the new moon. I of course recommend that you study up for yourself if this is something that piques your interest.
I’d really wanted to get a photo of the seven or eight little black pigs that just took up residence near us. They’ve scampered out of their wooden shelter and tumbled over each other to greet me at the fence alongside the road almost every day this past week. Today, of course, since I was hoping to take their photo for inclusion in this post, they acted weirdly shy.
Silly little piglets! Go figure.
(T-1026)