* Note: the actualy Tet
holiday 2015 will take place from Feb 18 -21, 2015. Most tourism facilities
such as hotels and a number of restaurant will still be open during Tet to
serve travelers.
The Eastern zodiac not only
includes the twelve animals but also incorporates the five elements: Metal,
Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. The year of 2015 is actually At Mui or Wood Goat
since “At” stands for the wood element.
Goat
as a cultural symbol
Goat is one of the oldest
animals to be domesticated. As a result, the image of goat has become a
cultural symbol in many regions from West to East.
If you are enthusiastic
about Greek mythology, chances are that you will be familiar with the
half-man-half-goat Pan, the god of rustic music, hunting and wild nature. Goats
also appear in Norse mythology as the pullers of Thor’s chariot. Moreover, god
stands for the zodiac sign Aires in Western horoscope!
In the East, goat is
featured in the Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese zodiacs. Along with
chicken, dog, pig, horse and buffalo, goat was traditionally one of the most
breeded animals in Vietnam. Considered to be clean, goat was often slaughtered
as tribute to the divine and the dead in religious rituals and special
occasions. Goat even makes its way into poem and folk culture. There is one
traditional Vietnamese game called “Close the eyes and catch the goat”, which
has become the childhood memory of many Vietnamese generations.
The “Goat” people
In Vietnamese culture,
those who are born in goat years are believed to be hard-working and
determined. Just like a goat that can survive on scarcity of food and withstand
extreme weather, “goat” people never give up easily, which makes them
trustworthy, reliable, and suitable for demanding jobs like rescuer, policemen
and soldier. However, “goat” people are always humble, rarely showing off their
own contribution or striving for leadership. This is both a valuable quality
and a drawback as it makes them vulnerable to exploitation by others.
People with the goat sign
are regarded to be gentle, polite and artsy. In relationship, don’t expect them
to take the first step because they are very passive and timid! But once in love,
you can count on them as faithful and ardent partners. They are truly organized
people who would like to live a peaceful life without much rough and tumble.
Although they are neither adventurous nor entrepreneurial, “goat” people can
still succeed as they are often supported for their respectable personality.
Believe it or not, many
celebrities including Bill Gates, Mark Twain, Malcolm Forbes, Bruce Willis,
Nicole Kidman and Michelangelo are born in goat years.
The goat year 2015
The year of 2014 is a
turbulent year. Conflicts and wars have been inflicting millions of lives in
Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Epidemic has killed thousands of people in
West Africa and is threatening even the most developed states. With such a year
full of misery, many are looking towards to the upcoming year of 2015, full of
hope for peace and harmony.
The good news is, according
to Eastern belief, the Goat year of 2015 will bring about tranquility and
cooperation. Unlike horse which belongs to Yang and represents the Fire element
(2014 is the horse year), goat has Yin energy and stands for Wood, symbolizing
peace and harmony. In 2015, humanity’s hope for collaboration replacing
aggression and happiness replacing misery will certainly come true.
Thank you for reading my blog !
