The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese new year is not based on a solar calendar like ours is in the West but based on a lunar calendar, meaning that it lands on a different day each year depending on the movements of the moon. This year, the Chinese new year falls on January 28th, and we move from the year of the monkey into the year of the rooster. There are twelve animals that make up the Chinese calendar, each cycling in order. Here are all twelve animals, in their respective order. The rooster is the tenth animal in the sequence.


Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey.
You can determine what animal you are by referring to the chart below.

• Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
• Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
• Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
• Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
• Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
• Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
• Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
• Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
• Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
• Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
• Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
• Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

The year that you were born determines what animal you are. People born to certain animals are said to engender the characteristics of that animal. Each animal has symbolic meanings given to it by the ancient Chinese. You may wonder why these twelve animals specifically were chosen? Well, the theory is that they were the most influential animals in the lives of Chinese people. The ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, and dog are the animals most commonly raised by Chinese people, and the rat, tiger, rabbit, snake, monkey and dragon are greatly loved by the Chinese.


2017 – Year of the Fire RoosterIn the Chinese zodiac, each animal also has a cycle of rotating elements. There are five elements – fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The rooster’s element is metal, but in 2017, the rooster is under the element of fire. This means that fire rooster only happens every 60 years. Each element changes the characteristics of that particular year. Generally people born under a metal sign have a great deal of confidence and drive for success, but when out of balance, they can be stubborn and hard headed. Metal signs are very charismatic and often have magnetic personalities which makes them well liked by everyone they encounter.


The Rooster PersonalityFire rooster is like taking all the metal personality traits and amplifying them so they are off the charts! Fire roosters are dynamic, highly intelligent, extremely organized, independent thinkers and their charisma takes it all to the next level. Their drive and perseverance make fire roosters very successful in all of their endeavors and they always have a great many admirers. Fire roosters are very sociable and their friendships are important to them. They love to be the centre of attention and are the hit of every party and social occasion. They are fiercely independent and more capable than most which can sometimes lead them to prefer to rely on themselves rather than on help from others. Fire roosters can be extremely strong willed and once they have set their mind to something, no one will be able to change their minds. Fire roosters can become obsessed over details and may be critical if they see others doing a job that fire rooster feels he can do better himself. The good news is that there is no one more capable at executing a task efficiently and to a very high standard than the fire rooster. They may be hard headed and stubborn, but they get the job done, usually better than everyone else and with such flair that nobody complains!
Because of his fiery personality, fire rooster needs to be careful not to become too intense and learn to slow down and relax. He tends to want to control and take over, but could use a little humility when taking on projects with others and not let his ego get out of control. He tends to burn so hot that, although this makes him a charismatic character and draws people to him, it can also burn and hurt people’s feelings unintentionally.
Fire roosters are intelligent, organized, hard working and make excellent and loyal friends. They are meticulous and dependable which makes them very successful in all aspects of their lives.


Lucky Things for Roosters

• Lucky colors: gold, brown, and yellow
• Lucky numbers: 5, 7, and 8
• Lucky directions: south, southeast
• Lucky months: the 2nd, 5th, and 11th Chinese lunar months.
• Lucky days: the 4th and 26th of any Chinese lunar month
• Lucky flowers: gladiola, cockscomb

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Unlucky Things for Roosters

• Unlucky color: red
• Unlucky numbers: 1, 3, and 9
• Unlucky direction: east
• Unlucky months: the 3rd, 9th, and 12th Chinese lunar months

A Bit About Kidney / Bladder Disease in Chinese Medicine

A Bit About Kidney / Bladder Disease in Chinese MedicineKidney deficiency is the cause of many illnesses and over 80% of people have a certain degree of kidney deficiency. Cold hands and feet, a lack of energy, ringing in the ears, sexual dysfunction, joint pain, menstrual disorders, prostate problems, back pain, hearing impairment, premature aging, and incontinence are some typical examples.

Winter time is the best season to preserve and promote kidney health. Eating black colored food such as black beans is good for the kidneys. Salty taste benefits the kidneys but too much can damage kidneys too. Kidney stones are formed by a buildup of substances which crystallized into stone-like deposits. Diets high in protein and lack of exercise will result in severe overall net calcium loss and increase the amount of calcium presented to the kidneys. Western doctors’ advice in reducing the burden and workload on the kidneys is by eating a diet low in meat, high in carbohydrates, restricted salt and drinking plenty of water to dissolve smaller stones. And by avoiding peanuts, chestnuts, soy, asparagus, spinach, corn and eggs as well as eating more celery, apple, pear and beans will help to keep your kidneys strong and avoid problems like stones in the future.
The symptoms of a kidney infection are a sore throat, fever, lower back pain, tiredness, fatigue, thirst and loss of appetite. When there is edema (swelling), the volume of urine decreases and so does the blood pressure. Infections of the urinary tract are more common in females than males. It could be due to poor hygiene or food allergy. Bacteria grows more easily in alkaline than in acid urine and vitamin C can promote acid urine and also improve immunity.

The food treatment for kidney infection should include a low-sodium and high protein diet such as fish, meat, egg and soy products. Water intake should be increased. Diuretic foods such as watermelon, winter melon, black bean, broad bean, see qua, and small red beans are effective in expelling dampness. Corn silk and corn kernel cooked with water to make tea can alleviate urinary tract or bladder infections. Grape juice can treat female urinary tract infections. Avoid spicy foods, garlic, and chives.

The other kidney dysfunctions include frequent urination, nephritis, leucorrhoea in women, and nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea in men.

According to Chinese medicine, kidney problems are caused by yang deficiency, as well as spleen and heart deficiency. Seminal emission is induced by excessive fire due to yin deficiency, weakness of kidney qi or the descent of heat-dampness. Treatments include nourishing kidney yin, removing fire, clearing heat and dissipating dampness.

Uplifting Kidney 5 Herb Tea RecipeSYMPTOMS
All symptoms of weak kidney function.
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THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Uplifts stomach and kidney energy.

Huang Qi or Astragalus Root


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Dang Shen or Radix Codonopsis


Shan Yao or Chinese Yam
INGREDIENTS:

• Astragalus (huang qi) 黃耆 – 30gm
• Dang shen 黨參 – 9gm
• Morinda Root (ba ji tien) 巴戟天 – 9gm
• Chinese Yam (shan yao) 淮山 –  9 gm
• Cimicifuga  (Sheng ma) 升麻 – 9gm

1.   Rinse herbs and put together with 6 cups of water and cook over medium heat to one cup of tea.
2.   Drink tea only.
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USAGE:
Not suitable when you have a cold or flu.