By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
The Chinese New Year 2014 celebration began on January 31, welcoming the Animal Zodiac Year of the Horse and saying goodbye to Year of the Snake.
Chinese New Year celebrations vary around the world for 15 days, ending on February 15, but most involve the reunion of families, the cleaning of homes, parades with dragon dances, lanterns, and a profusion of red decorations and dress. Gifts are often given in red envelopes, and red undergarments are worn.
Thousands of years ago, scholars from the third millennium BC used the Chinese Zodiac as a convenient way to count the years and keep track of one’s age. Using animals for each year of the Zodiac, the Horse is part of a 12-year-cycle of animals.
For those born in the Year of the Horse — a horse is bright, intelligent, friendly, energetic, and a good friend.
- Fixed Season: Summer
- Fixed Direction: South
- Fixed Element: Fire (5 elements– wood, fire, earth, metal, and water)
- Associated Sun Sign: Gemini
Were you born in the Year of the Horse? Find out your animal sign: Click HERE
Breathing Technique for February: Click HERE for Breath of Fire for the Fixed Fire Element.
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized Yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on Yoga including “Yoga For Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
