.
THE
YEAR OF THE DOG
Born worriers, Dog people can sometimes nervously bark and
bite at those around them, or become highly critical of others who do not
share their same highly developed sense of honor and duty. Conversely,
Dogs may become quiet, cool and judgmental with loved ones who arouse their
anger, but they will always remain devoted.
Although young Dogs are apt to find fault at every passing
injustice, the more mature will usually grow less anxious and take matters
far less seriously as they age. Their basic ideal of guarding against the
wrongs of society as a whole stays with them, however. It is certainly
always the Dog who can be relied upon to speak up for the disenfranchised
and downtrodden.
Dogs do not consciously seek out riches, but neither do
they ever want for creature comforts. With their considerable talents and
innate qualities, Dogs usually excel as effective social activists, teachers,
nurses or doctors. Dogs are most compatible with : Horse, Tiger, Rabbit
Paradoxically the year of the Dog will bring happiness
and dissent in the same boat. The Dog's domestic auspices will bring harmony
to home life, patriotism to one's country and unwavering fealty to whatever
cause you wish to support.
On the other hand, his rigid willpower and unbending sense
of justice will also lead to major confrontations with the weaker side
getting the upper hand. It is a year in which controversial issues will
be awarded a hearing and unconventional but effective changes will be introduced.
Equality and liberty will be advocated by the Dog's noble influence.
We will become more idealistic in our views, shedding
some materialism by doing charitable acts or otherwise championing some
worthy projects. It is a year in which we will shift away from the pursuit
of the almighty dollar and become a little more reflective. A perfect time
to reassess our sense of values, polish up our virtues and go on crusades
against tyranny and oppression.
In spite of the Dog's dismal outlook, he brings stability
because people do not usually dare to challenge his authority when they
see how intent he is on keeping the peace. The year of the Metal Dog is
more feared than others as he is said to bring war and calamity.
Needless to say, the Dog's resoluteness and intensity
will cause clashes, upheavals and rebellions of all sorts, but it will
be his good sense and largesse that will also smooth things out in the
end. His unselfishness will predispose us to be more big-hearted than we
normally are.
This will also be a year in which we will wish we could
relax more without the cynical Dog constantly casting worries on our minds.
Then again, perhaps it will be the Dog's ever-watchful eye that will be
the main force in keeping this time calm.
Aside from this feeling of uneasiness, there should be
no cause for alarm. We can go about our business as usual since the Dog
makes the perfect sentry.
The Dog's year will lend integrity to our intentions and
make us act in good faith. Nothing should concern us so long as we stick
to the righteous path.
THE DOG PERSONALITY
This may be the most likable sign of all in the Chinese
cycle. A person born in the year of the Dog is honest, intelligent and
straightforward. He has a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice
and fair play. A Dog native is usually animated and attractive and will
exude sex appeal. Generally amiable and unpretentious, he will know how
to get along with others as he is not too demanding. The egalitarian Dog
likes to meet others halfway, is always willing to listen to reason and
can be counted on to do his share.
If you have a forthright Dog for a friend, you must know
that when you are in trouble, all you have to do is dial D-O-G. For no
matter how much he or she complains, scolds or feigns indifference, the
Dog person cannot ignore a real call for help. At times, the Dog protects
the interests of others more avidly than his own. If anyone will bail you
out ten times out of ten, he must be a Dog. The Dog-born sometimes sticks
to the object of his affection no matter how unworthy the person is. You
don't find a Dog leaving home just because he discovers that his master
has the proverbial feet of clay. He makes allowances for such frailties
and he will probably stick it out through thick and thin. And if he does
leave home, well, don't blame him, it must be a truly dismal place indeed!
The Dog does not desert easily.
Like his equally humanitarian friend, the Tiger, the Dog
seldom directs his wrath at someone personally. He will take you to task
over one specific act or offense without hating you entirely or forever.
His anger is more of a bright flash. It could come without warning and
may die as quickly, too. But it will always be a justifiable kind of anger--without
malice, without rancor and without jealousy. When all is said and done
and proper reparations have been made, he can bury the hatchet.
Not all Dogs look for fights. It would be more just to
say that the Dog person is an open-eyed and open-minded observer, with
the objective of preserving social goals and guarding the interest of the
public at large.
Once in a while, when the Dog decides to take up a cause
he thinks is right, he will emerge victorious. Fortunately, he is not one
to champion bad causes because his ideals and morals will be of the highest
order. As the symbol of justice, the Dog person is very serious about his
self-imposed responsibilities.
Collectively speaking, the Dog is not materialistic and
ceremonious; he prefers plain talk. He usually sees through people's motives
anyway, so fancy language just affects him the wrong way. He is a natural
lawyer and will listen to your case objectively. But don't pry into his
affairs as he will become secretive and withdrawn. The Dog was born with
his defense shields up. You will have to gain his confidence gradually
and wait for him to open up.
The Dog is reputed to be cynical, but this is a callous
generalization. Actually, it is more fitting to say that puppies are universally
lovable and irresistible, young dogs are frisky and full of life and only
mature or old dogs earn the right to be the diehard cynics of the Oriental
zodiac. Staunch public defenders and members of the Old Guard must indeed
belong to the elite Dog unit, getting bleary-eyed with disillusionment
as the years go by but remaining ever faithful in rallying to the bugle's
call. Raving with disgust at how low our morals have sunk, the Dog will
still be found pitting his strength against the forces of evil and answering
every S.O.S. that comes his way.
Even as young pups, the Dog will be able to spot the good
guys and the bad guys. He'll want to be one of the good guys, of course.
She will be Joan of Arc and he will be Sir Galahad.
The Dog, whether he admits it or not, will have an inborn
need to divide people into fixed categories. To him, you are either a friend
or foe; black or white. No mousey grays or other shades of in-between.
He has to know how to classify you before he can relax in your company.
His decision to trust or not to trust you is often a final one. And if
he does suspect you, well, he may not be rude enough to come right out
and accuse you without the evidence, but you can be sure he will be watching
you from the corner of his eye. However, even snarling, barking, mad dogs
have a good idea of how the legal system works and won't come after you
without that warrant. But when he's onto your scent and picks up your tracks,
it will be difficult to shake him off.
On the whole, the Dog is only violent when stirred or
attacked on his home ground. He will work hard when he has to or wants
to; otherwise, he has a certain "lie by the fire" kind of laziness. Yet,
while he is tolerant of and acquiesent to his friends, he can be critical
of and emotionally cold to people he dislikes. Practical, fearless and
the owner of one very sharp tongue, the Dog person is ultra-realistic and
outspoken. He will make a good judge as he spares no one, not even himself,
in the final analysis.
Like the late Chou En-lai, who was born in the year of
the Dog, the native of this sign will be loved for his warm charisma and
superb insight into human nature. With his astute intelligence and noble
character, he makes a good but sometimes reluctant leader. People trust
him and hold him in high esteem because of his sense of duty and discretion.
The Dog's leadership is unemotional, although altruistic. But he is also
prone to bouts of erratic and cantankerous behavior. This may be because
he is really an introvert at heart and hates all that pretense on the social
scene.
The Dog-born does not care very much about money, but
should he have desperate need for it, no one is better equipped to find
it. In many cases, he will be born into a good family; if not, he will
elevate his status in life by himself without shunning his family or hiding
his humble origins.
Even while he puts on a bright and cheerful appearance,
the Dog is by nature a pessimist. He tends to worry unnecessarily and will
expect trouble to be lurking in every corner. But there are times when
his predictions come true. Anyway, it will be wise to note that Orientals
as well as Westerners have the same belief that everyone needs a Dog at
home to distinguish friends from foes.
You can trust the Dog to hand you the bad news with the
good. With his matter-of-fact ways, he may even be quite good at breaking
sad tidings, especially to theatrical and overemotional people. It is not
that he will enjoy informing people of disaster (whether or not he led
a demonstration last week to protest the matter); it will be because it
is against his nature to hedge or delay the inevitable. He is a definite
person and he has this necessity to give you a definite answer. As far
himself, he will be able to face the facts of life, even if he is young
and untried.
When he is right, the Dog can be obstinate and unbending.
It is hard to influence the unprejudiced Dog once he makes up his mind.
He will cut the opposition's arguments to ribbons with his flawless logic
and acid wit. His bad temper and hot criticism can do a lot of damage but
he only resorts to this when he is getting nowhere with diplomacy and formal
protests. The Dog may be pugnacious and quarrelsome but he will take his
fights out to the open and rarely stoops to underhanded; methods in order
to win. He excels as a military man, lawyer, teacher, judge, doctor, captain
of industry or missionary. He is one person who can carry on revolutionary
activities with a pacifist's views.
The lady Dog will be a thoughtful and capable person who
will in all situations be a simple dresser, preferring casual and serviceable
clothing. She will opt for a loose and flowing hair style that could frame
her expressive face quite dramatically. She can become curt, impertinent
and impatient when she is crossed, but on the whole she is unaffected and
attentive to the needs of others. Cooperative, unprejudiced and a very
good sport, she will enjoy dancing, swimming, tennis or any other lively
outdoor activity. A real friend to her husband and children, she will allow
them enough freedom to express themselves and choose their own futures
without being possessive or interfering.
Dog girls have warm, enduring beauty. Ava Gardner, Sophia
Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Cher are but a few of the glamorous
examples of famous females born under this sign.
Although she exhibits a fairly amiable disposition and
has a ready smile for everyone, the Dog lady likes to form friendships
slowly. You will have to come over to her house for tea (a good sign of
acceptance), then invite her over to try your homemade cupcakes. You must
discover each other's qualities leisurely. Compare likes and dislikes.
Exchange mutual oaths of loyalty. When her sense of equilibrium is satisfied,
you will get the royal stamp of approval. Henceforth, your name is engraved
in gold in her little black book under the heading Friend (she has another
section for the Enemies), and when you call upon her she will come to your
rescue wherever she may be.
The Dog person is never without resources, and even when
he does not have direct power, he will wield influence on important or
decision-making people through his sound advice and remarkable insight.
People do lend him their ears, as he champions moderation in all things.
Yet the Dog-born is the first to see the perils of being at the top of
the power game and is often criticized for his lack of desire for fame
and authority. He keeps his aspirations to himself and is modestly prepared
to serve others, if that is his duty, or else be left alone to do whatever
pleases him most. Moreover, he is not renowned for his patience and has
the tendency to snap at others when irked. He will not go out and fall
madly in love like the Horse or Tiger, but he will be deeply attached and
affectionate to those he loves.
While it will never be easy for the Dog to trust everyone
profoundly, as the Boar does, he does his best to bring out the good in
his fellowmen. Once you have gained his allegiance, he will place complete
faith in you and give you his undivided support. Try criticizing someone
who is dear to the Dog, and you will be in for a very strong rebuttal.
Most people born under this sign are tough, in the sense
that they can take a lot of stress without cracking up. The Dog's stable
mint makes him a good counselor, priest or psychologist. During times of
crisis, he can suffer great hardships and deprivation without complaining.
He earnestly wishes that the world were a better place to live in, and
he will not be afraid to go out and do something about it. Many saints
and martyrs were born under the idealistic sign of the Dog.
A Dog who is born at night is reputed to be more aggressive
and high-strung than one born during the day. Dogs of all seasons will
be well provided for throughout their lives and have need of little.
The Dog will be most compatible with the Horse, the Rabbit
and the Tiger. He will have no conflict with the Rat, Snake, Monkey, Boar
or another Dog. The Rooster he will have difficulty understanding. The
one he will never really get himself to believe in is the overconfident
Dragon. Neither can he find it pleasant to tolerate the constant complaints
of the indulgent Sheep. Likewise, the Dragon will be enraged when the Dog
pours cold water over his grand designs and the Sheep will call the Dog
insensitive.
THE DOG CHILD
This child will be friendly, happy and well-balanced.
Cheerful and harmonious, he expects little of others and can accept his
parents and friends as they are. Open, confident and loyal, he will perceive
other people's viewpoints with amazing clarity while still maintaining
his own convictions and dignity. He will never allow himself to be bullied
and in all probability will put up a hefty fight with the neighborhood
tyrant and win the respect of his peers.
Sensible and fairly consistent, the Dog will get his schoolwork
done without too much trouble. He will be reasonable when asked to help
around the house and will be protective toward younger family members.
Playful and outgoing, he will insist on a certain degree
of independence. But the faithful Dog will never stray too far from home.
This child will be known and liked for his sense of humor, warmth and candid
ways. When offended, the Dog child can turn rebellious, mean and hypercritical.
His anger flares and subsides relatively quickly and he will return to
his normal equilibrium. He will not keep a grudge for long and can forget
and forgive readily.
When he is negative, the Dog is pugnacious, argumentative,
caustic and unbendingly opinionated. He is only liberal and fair-minded
if not pushed too far. When he feels he has been taken undue advantage
of, the Dog will retaliate bitterly and without any compassion. Once he
starts to fight, the Dog will not be open to discussion or negotiations
anymore. It is better never to challenge this tolerant child to the point
of no return. The unassuming Dog can erupt like a volcano.
If the Dog child is rejected or unappreciated, he could
be lethargic, insensitive, cynical or plain indifferent to the wishes of
his parents. Compliment and encourage him and this child will reciprocate
lavishly. Basically, he is cooperative, so there should be no need to cajole
or threaten him in any way. Efficient and diplomatic, the Dog will exhibit
a lack of prejudice, or at least he will make it a point never to show
it. He is inclined to avoid scenes rather than create them.
It will be safe to give him responsibilities or take him
into your confidence even at an early age. The trustworthy Dog will not
like to be accused of having a loose tongue. He will guard a secret like
a sacred trust.
To sum it up, the Dog will always defend what is his.
He will have a high sense of values and to him home and family will come
first.
Celebrities with Chinese
Zodiac Dog
Famous people born in the Year of the Dog : Mariah Carey,
Cher, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Dorothea Dix, Benjamin Franklin,
George Gershwin, Jane Goodall, Herbert Hoover, Madonna, Shirley McLaine
At
Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems
on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes
fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks
that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long
ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames
would frighten evil spirits.
In
China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather
at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a
feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese
immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community
through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American
neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year event.
