Feng Lei | Are you a dragon or a tiger?

February 1, 2022, is the Chinese New Year’s Day, the year of the tiger. And the Winter Olympic Games opens three days later on the fourth. What a week! Two important events for the Chinese people, and also for Jamaicans. I heard the news that nine Jamaican athletes have made history — they will compete in the coming weeks on behalf of the island. Beijing is going to be the first city in the world that hosts both the summer and winter Olympic Games. As a kind gesture of support, some of my Jamaican students have had their Olympic song recorded and sent to the organisers.

The 12 animals represent 12 years in the Chinese zodiac or Shengxiao. 2022 is the year of the tiger. Fierce thoughit may be, the tiger is one of the favourite animals in China, mainly in the world of art, poetry, and fiction. Many Chinese parents wish their children to be born in a year of the tiger. If you were born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, or 2010, you are a “tiger”. In China, the most famous “tiger” is Qin Shi Huang, the founder and first emperor of the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC). Worldwide, famous people born in the year of the tiger include Queen Elizabeth II, Ludwig van Beethoven, Oscar Wilde, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga, to name a few. And the most famous Jamaican “tiger” must be Mr Usain Bolt, who was born in August 1986. You see, “Tigers” are talented people, and they are winners! Remember that the traditional Chinese calendar is different from the modern calendar. If you were born in January or February, you must check the Chinese calendar to find out in which year your birth date belongs.

CHARACTER OF THE TIGER

Then what is the character of the tiger? And what is the personality of the “tiger” people? Let me use several adjectives to describe them: authoritative, courageous, enthusiastic, optimistic, mysterious, and unpredictable. Do you agree with me?

The order of the 12 animals is 1. Rat; 2. Ox; 3. Tiger; 4. Rabbit; 5. Dragon (or Loong); 6. Snake; 7. Horse; 8. Goat; 9. Monkey; 10, Rooster; 11. Dog; 12. Pig. People may be curious about the order and wonder why Rat, the smallest of the 12 comes first, followed by the big ox. Here is the legend: The Jade Emperor, the ruler of all heavens, wanted to recruit 12 guards for his palace. He issued a decree that the 12 years on the calendar would be named in the order each animal reached him. First come, first named. So the Great Race began. To cross a river was the last part of the race. The Rat was smart but not good at swimming. It asked the Ox to carry it. The naive Ox agreed. As the Ox was about to reach the riverbank, the Rat jumped off the back of the Ox and rushed to the Jade Emperor. Thus, the Rat was named the first of the 12 animals. Obviously, this is just a story created for fun.

If a couple and one of their children, all three, happen to be born in the year of the goat, the family is regarded as the most fortunate because three goats symbolise fortune and peace. It would be fine if I had been born in the year of the tiger, but I am also happy being a “monkey”. Please be assured that no matter in which year you were born, and be you a Tiger or a Dragon, an Ox or a Rat, you will have your strengths. Happy Chinese New Year to all!

Feng Lei is the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at The University of the West Indies, Mona