Kansai Scene Magazine

Feb 2004
Issue 045

KS Classifieds
Issue 22 OUT NOW!

Return of the Monkey
Chinese New Year

Just when you thought the festivities over and you are making a serious attempt to keep to your new year resolution of not eating too much, not drinking too much and doing more exercise, another celebration rears its festive head.

22 January, 2004 was Chinese New Year day and the first day in the year of the monkey, according to the Chinese calendar. Why should there be two New Years in a year? Well, it all has to do with the way time is measured and perceived. More importantly, who is doing the measuring and perceiving.

For example, the Solar or Western calendar represents a linear perception of time. It moves in a straight line, from past to the present and the future.

The years are dated from the birth of Jesus Christ, therefore 2004 means two thousand and four years after the birth of Christ. On the other hand, the Chinese Lunar calendar, dating back centuries before the Julian one, is based on the cycles of the moon and represents a cyclical concept of time, which means the cycle is repeated time after time according to a pattern. The pattern being a 12-year cycle, (in modern mathematics this is known as modulo 12) and 12 animals are used to represent each year.

According to legend, many years ago Buddha summoned all the animals to a meeting. The first twelve animals to arrive would represent a sign of a year, respectively. On the night before the gathering, cat notified his pal, rat, and they agreed that whoever woke up first, would wake up the other so they could go to the meeting together. However, rat broke his promise and arrived alone, followed closely by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. By the time the cat woke up the meeting was over. It is said this is the reason why cats kill rats.

Legend aside, the Lunar calendar is based strictly on astronomical observation. Quite simply, a month is measured by the moon going through one cycle of motion, from 'new moon' to 'full moon' and back. This usually takes 29.5 days which is rounded off to 29 or 30 days. As a year is defined as 365 days, to make up for the shortfall the Western calendar adds an extra day every 4th year which is called Leap Year. Whereas the Chinese calendar adds an extra month during Leap Year!

As New Year Day is determined by the second New Moon after the winter solstice, what we have is New Year Day falling on a different day each year. 2003, the year of the sheep (ram or goat) fell on February 1, whereas the year of the horse was celebrated on February 12, 2002 and this year, according to calculations, the monkey swings in, on January 22. Each animal has its own special characteristics. Some people believe that those born in a certain year will possess the qualities of that year's animal.

In Chinese folklore, horoscopes have developed around the animal signs, much like monthly horoscopes in the West have been developed for the different moon signs such as, Pisces, Aries, and Gemini.

It has to be said, these horoscopes are looked at as being merely amusing and not taken too seriously by the majority of Chinese people, even so, there are many who believe the signs hold more than a grain of truth.

Are you a real monkey?

Born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980
or 1992? Are you alert, sociable, good at assessing risk and financial problems. As a partner, are you reliable, adaptable and cheerful. Brainy, rarely failing in a mission, a great strategist. The ultimate diplomat able to slip in and out of difficulties with ease. (Sound like you?)
Famous people are: Will Smith, Julius Caesar, Lord Byron, Da Vinci and S. Truman. Manipulative, never forget a wrong, single-mindedness, too smart for your own good, opportunist, never miss a trick. (Must be someone else, eh?)
The Monkey's season and principal month: Summer — August
Lucky stone: Amber
Corresponds to Western sign: Leo
Fixed Element: Metal
Greatest Affinity: Dragon, Rat
Greatest Enmity: Tiger

Well, if the (party) hat fits, wear it and bring out the champagne glasses or the sake cups. Whether you toast the arrival of the monkey with a Cheers! or Kanpai! Think how lucky we are to be able to celebrate the New Year twice.

Text: Mylene Oishi

	NEW! :: CINEMA LISTINGS Up to date cinema listings guide so you always know what's on, where and when!
	NEW! :: EVENT LISTINGS Festivals, performances, shows, gallery openings...your guide to what's coming up in the next few weeks.
	:: FEATURE Return of the Monkey Celebrating Chinese New Year.
	:: TRAVEL Diving the Great Barrier Reef Becomming a certified PADI diver in Queensland Australia.
	:: SPORT J-Soccer roundup Soccerphile.com's Sanborn Brown reports.
	:: FOOD & DRINK Mausi Vienniese pastries from Konditorei Mausi, Kyoto. A Night on the Tiles Cafe/Restaurant/Club...TILE, Minami-horie Osaka.
	:: NEWS Some of the news you won't see printed elsewhere, plus the best of the rest.
	:: ART The Art of Star Wars, British Museum treasures... plus our round up of other art events in January.
	:: TECH "Fits in yer pocket " Sanyo Moviecam, Doraemon robot toyand more...
	:: LIVE Michael Brecker, Quasimodo, Kraftwerk & more incoming live acts...
	:: CLUB Soltice Music presents Spun Tour 2004, U.N.K.L.E Sounds and all the usual hot picks...
	:: FILM Lord of the Rings 3, Master & Commander and many more reel reviews...
	:: PROFILE Yoshii Hiroyuki, the inventor of the 'Yoshii9' speaker system.

Chinese Zodiac: By year of birth

Sheep (also known as ram or goat)

1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Season and principal month: Summer — July
Corresponds to Western sign: Cancer
Lucky stone: Emerald
Fixed Element: Fire
Greatest Affinity: Rabbit, Pig
Greatest Enmit: Ox
• Gentle, caring and compassionate.
• Strongly family orientated.
• Pacifist by nature but quick to react against conflict to bring peace.
Beware: The sheep is seldom bashful. Loves to be the center of the stage. Has a strong tendency to roam and will need guidance, or even tethering!

Horse

1930,1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Season and principal month: Summer — June
Lucky Gemstone: Beryl
Corresponds to Western sign: Gemini
Fixed Element: Fire
Greatest Affinity: Tiger, Dog
Greatest Enmity: Rat
• Hardworking, well liked and admired.
• Laid back and easy going.
• Well known for their independence and individuality. If asked for an opinion will
give a direct answer.
Beware: The horse falls in love easily, so there are many passing relationships before the 'real' one.

Snake

1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Season and principal month: Spring — May
Stone: Moss agate
Corresponds to Western sign: Taurus
Fixed Element: Fire
Greatest Affinity: Ox , Rooster
Greatest Enmity: Pig
• A great thinker and philosopher.
• Charming with a strong sense of responsibility and a good sense of humour.
• Has immense intuition, is enigmatic, a lover of the arts.
Beware: The snake is a bit of a miser and demands obedience and discipline both at home and at work.

Dragon

1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Season and principal month: Spring — April
Lucky stone: Amethyst
Corresponds to Western sign: Aries
Fixed Element: Wood
Greatest Affinity: Rat, Monkey
Greatest Enmity: Dog
• Honest. Full of energy.
• Charismatic and colorful, as well as strong, enthusiastic and inspiring.
• According to the Chinese, they bring the four great blessings of long life, virture, harmony and wealth.
Beware: The dragon is not romantic by nature and does not make a natural father or mother or carer. Is impatient and does not suffer fools easily.

Rabbit

1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Season and principal month: Spring — March
Lucky Stone: Chrysolite
Corresponds to Western sign: Pisces
Fixed Element: Wood
Greatest Affinity: Ram, Pig
Greatest Enmity: Rooster
• Very sensitive, lucky, smart and creative.
• Loves beauty and all things beautiful with a good nose for a bargain.
• A strategist by nature, and will always keep a promise.
Beware: Does not act on impulse, likes a routine lifestyle. An aversion to suffering and pain means they tend to shut out the cruelties of the real world.

Tiger

1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Season and principal month: Winter — February
Lucky stone: Sapphire
Corresponds to Western sign: Aquarius
Fixed Element: Wood
Greatest Affinity: Dog, Horse
Greatest Enmity: Monkey
• Courageous, adventurous, confident and enthusiastic.
• As a friend the Tiger is extremely generous.
• Brave and powerful with a strong sense of
independence.
Beware: Impetuous. Romantically, somewhat reckless and can risk everything in pursuit of their heart's desire. Lasting friendships are few and far between.

1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
Season and month: Winter — January
Lucky stone: White onyx
Corresponds to Western sign: Capricorn
Fixed Element: Water
Greatest Affinity: Rooster, Snake
Greatest Enmity: Ram
• Patient, meticulous with strong principles.
• An excellent worker, but can be stubborn.
• Will work hard to achieve a goal.
• Very caring to others.
• Relationships tend to be long term, not casual.
Beware: Poor conversationalist and not much of a sense of humor either. Not very good at coping with its own emotions and can be introverted and self-destructive.

Rat

1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
Season and principal month: Winter— December
Corresponds to Western sign: Sagittarius
Lucky stone: Carbuncle
Fixed Element: Water
Greatest Affinity: Dragon, Monkey
Greatest Enmity: Horse
• A bit of a charmer, the rat is usually welcome anywhere.
• Intelligent, quick-witted and hardworking.
• Somewhat ambitious, enjoys thrills.
• Strongly family orientated.
Beware: The rat is a little insecure and can lack boldness. An opportunist who lives for the moment, rarely plans for the future. Frets over
details and trivialities.

Pig/Boar

1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Season and principal month: Autumn — Nov.
Corresponds to Western sign: Scorpio
Lucky Gemstone: Topaz
Fixed Element: Water
Greatest Affinity: Rabbit, Ram
Greatest Enmity: Snake
• A peace-lover, strong and straightforward.
• Well informed and well-organized.
• Robust, loves company.
• Great love is clothes, pigs dress to impress.
Beware: Quick to lose their tempers. Loves gossip. Falls in love very quickly. Has a 'take it or leave it' attitude. Easily deceived in business and relationships.

Dog

1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Season and principal month: Autumn — October
Corresponds to Western sign: Libra
Lucky Gemstone: Diamond
Fixed Element: Metal
Greatest Affinity: Tiger, Horse
Greatest Enmity: Dragon
• An idealist, loyal, caring, hating injustice.
• Equality, freedom and justice are what dogs fight for.
• Once you win a dog's trust, it is something you can always rely on.
Beware: The desire to please often leads the dog to periods of anxiety, worrying that they are not doing their best. Stubborn. Defensive. Can be vicious if riled.

Rooster

1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Season and principal month: Autumn — Sept.
Corresponds to Western sign: Virgo
Lucky gemstone: Pink Jasper
Fixed Element: Metal
Greatest Affinity: Ox, Snake
Greatest Enmity: Rabbit
• Organised, excellent time keepers and hard workers.
• Faithful as friends,and family oriented.
Beware: Outwardly showy, at heart somewhat insecure, conservative and old fashioned. Usually promises more than they can deliver. Outspoken and blunt.