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Tuesday February 5th, 2019 is Chinese New Year’s day, the first day of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar in the year 4716. The zodiac year of the Yin-Earth Pig, referred to as the Muddy Pig.

The home should be spotless for the new year, you should have had a haircut and now you are ready to forget about work and chores for two weeks (until the full moon) and feast with family and friends. The idea is your start the year, how you want the year to go – give the year it’s tone! Bring on the dumplings!

How is Chinese New Years Day Calculated?

The Chinese New Year celebrates the combination of the lunar and solar cycles. The solar start to the year for the Chinese is February 4 – 立春 Lìchūn (start of spring). The lunar months start with a new moon, therefore Chinese New Year combines the solar and lunar cycles by starting with the closest new moon to February 4. This is, most often, the second new moon after winter solstice.

Note: Prior to the Julian calendar (which took effect on 1 January 45 BC enforced by the Romans), both the Germanic and Scandinavian Calendars were lunisolar fixing the beginning of the year at the first full moon after winter solstice

Another Note: When calculating your Chinese zodiac sign, you use the solar date February 4th as the beginning of the year. For determining your zodiac animal, ignore the Chinese New Year (new moon) date, and simply use February 4th as the beginning of the year. All babies born after that date are the new zodiac sign and all babies born before February 4th are the preceding zodiac sign.

General Predictions for the Yin-Earth-Pig Year

The general forecast is for people to prepare the bad weather (i.e. hostile environment) in 2019!

The Chinese Zodiac Name of 2019 is Yin-Earth Pig .

In Chinese Five Element theory, Earth is related to the color yellow or brown. We can call 2019 the year of Brown Pig. Earth has Yin (Female) and Yang (Male). Yin is related to water. We get the image of wet soil, floodplains or farmland. The Chinese Zodiac Pig is in the Water-group. Mixing earth with water, we get a sticky mud. Therefore, 2019 is referred to as the year of the Muddy Pig.

Pig contains both Yang-Water and Yang-Wood. The image of Yang-Wood is a tall tree. The image of Yang-Water is the river. The image of 2019 is a river flowing strongly toward the flatland. In nature, this image has the ability to wash away soil and land.

The transition from a Yang-Earth Dog of 2018 to a Yin-Earth Pig of 2019 is symbolized by mountains collapsing down to the flatland. This suggests something unexpected and unbelievable will happen. Those that seem solid and reliable may encounter unexpected challenges or a great disaster. If they choose the wrong response, it could turn into a landslide!

There are signs people will fight for resources, money, sea and land in 2019. Without discipline, wisdom and leadership it may easily boil-over! In 2019, it is predicted that many people will focus on income, property, finance and economy.

More Specific Predictions for the Yin-Earth-Pig Year

For example, people with Earth-element, in 2018, had good fortune in 2018. People in 2019 with Water-element should have a favorable year. In fact, it really depends on your own sign and how that interacts with the year in question. 

Here is an example for Donald Trump. Is his luck cycle according to Chinese Astrology coming to an end?  click here

For a more detailed forecast of your own animal zodiac sign in 2019  click here

Why Does Alex Prefer A Lunisolar Calendar?

From ancient times people have recognized that the most important heavenly bodies, the sun and moon, have the greatest influence on the earth, it’s nature and it’s inhabitants. The solar positions are represented by the 24-solar terms. The phases of the moon are represented by the dates of the month. Since ancient times, it  has been observed that the calendar you follow – i.e., how you follow time – influences the flow of your daily life.

For example, if you simply follow a solar (sun-yang) calendar you become more yang-biased. Follow a lunar calendar and you tend to be more yin-biased.

New emperors, kings and the dawning of new ages introduce new calendars.

‘Who owns your time owns your mind; own your own time and know your own mind – follow both lunar and solar rhythms’

We believe who owns your time owns your mind, body, and spirit. Thus, we encourage you to own your own time and know yourself – stay in touch with both lunar and solar rhythms to facilitate this.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Tan L.AC. is a licensed Acupuncturist.  After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China.  A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex’s bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives.  He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. For more about Alex click here

Alex runs a clinic in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona. Alex welcomes comments and questions to his articles. To schedule an appointment in person or telco-appointment click here

Alex Tan

Alex Tan L.Ac is a licensed Acupuncturist. After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China. A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex's bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives. He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. Click here for more about Alex.