Lunar New Year 2022: Insights into the Year of the Water Tiger
This year, Lunar New Year lands on February 1st, 2022. Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is based on the lunar calendar (which is why it is a different date on the Gregorian calendar each year). Each year, it begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In East Asian countries, this holiday is celebrated for two weeks, from the new moon to the full moon. Before New Year’s eve, it is believed that certain actions bring auspicious blessings for the year ahead, including the cleaning of one's home, getting rid of unnecessary objects, and cutting one’s hair. Decorating one’s house with red banners which spell out adages of fortune and wealth, and giving away red envelopes to children and elders are also traditional practices of the Lunar New Year.
What does the tiger symbolize?
2022 is the Year of the Tiger. The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac. It is an animal that symbolizes competition, courage, ambition, but also generosity. In contrast to the year of 2021, the year of the Ox, which was about persistence and diligence, the year of the Tiger is about dynamism, adventures and taking risks.
How we might expect that energy to show up throughout 2022?
This particular year of the tiger is associated with the element of water. In addition to the 12 animals, each year the Chinese zodiac also cycles through the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, water.
2022 is the year of the Water Tiger. Water can be calm and deep, like a lake. It’s also malleable and flexible, as it can move through and in between other elements. Water is powerful; the force of water can shape and move other objects. Since the Tiger is a “yang'' animal, meaning the yang aspect of the yin/yang duality referring to movement and action, the year of the Water (yin) Tiger (yang) will be about fits and starts, intention and action but also sudden stops and changes.
How can one lean into the energy of the Tiger to make the most of the year?
The 2021 metal ox year was the last year of the 12 year cycle representing the end of the winter season. In 2022, the astrological winter season is coming to an end and astrological spring is budding. The tiger is the third animal in the zodiac but the first animal of the astrological spring season, representing the element of wood. In Chinese medicine, as well as Chinese astrology, the wood element is about birth and rebirth. Think budding shoots out of the cold earth as the sun begins to melt the snow. The seeds that you planted in the last two years are about to spring into action if you have nourished that intention. The year of the tiger is about taking that budding energy and pushing it forward to manifest those seeds.
In conclusion, this year is about learning, creating, and innovating new ideas. The water tiger energy is about community, networking and building networks. If you’ve been thinking about pivoting in life or career, this is the year to do it, and the way to create a new path forward or redirect that path is through relationships and connections with people.