by Kevin Mcinturff

Created on: November 22, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

Throughout history, different cultures have used different types of calendars for keeping track of the months and years. Two of the most commonly used calendars currently are the Roman/Gregorian and the Chinese. Both have different new years and observations.

The Roman/Gregorian calendar was put into place by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C.E. as a way of more accurately recording time. However; the calendar introduced an extra day every 128 years and proved to be unmanageable by the middle ages. Therefore; Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582 which corrected the problem and it is the calendar we use today. The New Year always begins January 1st and ends December 31st.

The Chinese calendar is much older and was created by Emperor Huangdi in 2637 B.C.E. This calendar is based on observations of the sun and moon and follows their cycles and unlike the Gregorian calendar, years are not counted in infinite sequence, but rather are repeated every 60 years. Each year has two parts; the Celestial Stemm and the Terrestrial Branch. The latter uses the names of animals which follows the zodiac cycle and repeats every 12 years. The names are as follows:

Year 1 Rat

Year 2 Ox

Year 3 Tiger

Year 4 Rabbit

Year 5 Dragon

Year 6 Snake

Year 7 Horse

Year 8 Sheep

Year 9 Monkey

Year 10 Rooster

Year 11 Dog

Year 12 Pig

Traditionally, being born under a certain sign would indicate the type of personality one would have and their compatibility with those born under a different sign. For example: a person born under the sign of the Ox would be patient, quiet and inspirational to others. However; they would also be temperamental and easily angered. They would get along with those born under the sign of the Snake, Rooster and the Rat. In addition, giving someone their sign would tell that person their approximate age without revealing their exact age.

On January 26, 2009, a new Chinese year will begin. It will be year 4707, the year of the Ox. For those born under this sign, 2009 will be a time for them to begin acting on life goals. Also, because the Ox is under the element of the Earth, these people will be extra possessive and competitive. In addition, they will be more prone to succeed as failure will not be an option. It would be best for no one to try to stand in the way of an Ox this year.

Indeed the Chinese New Year is truly important. Observed by a quarter of the world's population, the signs under which these people are born can affect their lives. While many in the West do not observe the dates and times of this ancient tradition, we must acknowledge that the Chinese New Year in some ways impacts us all.

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