While the Western world has already celebrated the New Year, the Chinese are still looking forward to celebrate their calendar New Year which this year happens to be the Zodiac Year of the Rooster.
Thanks to our School Science department China Corner founded in our school in 2010 by our Science teacher Martin Azzopardi sdc, a group of Form 4 students did a brief research about the meaning and symbolism of the Chinese New Year of the Rooster.
According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, the Chinese New Year of the Rooster starts on 28 January and ends on 15 February 2018. The Rooster is 10th in the Chinese zodiac and each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. Years of the Rooster include 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 and 2029.
In China, people born in the year of the Rooster are called "Roosters" and 2017 is a Fire Rooster Year. In Chinese element theory, each zodiac year is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire or Earth, which means that a Fire Rooster, for example, comes once every 60-year cycle.
According to Chinese astrology, people born in the year of the Rooster are normally very observant, hardworking, resourceful, courageous and talented. Roosters are also very confident in themselves.
In China it is also believed that Roosters are always active, amusing and popular with others. They are also talkative, outspoken, frank, open, honest and loyal individuals. However, they like to be the centre of attention and struggle to appear attractive and beautiful with others.
Roosters are very happy when they are surrounded by others but they are sometimes bad listeners. Sometimes their behaviour in being the centre of attention can annoy people around them.
Generally, it is assumed that people born in the year of the Rooster are healthy people. They are active and enjoy sports and they don't get sick very often. Even when they do become ill, they feel better quickly. Roosters are a little sensitive and they feel stressed and moody at times.
St Margaret College Senior Secondary School students take the opportunity to wish a happy and prosperous New Year of the Rooster to all the Chinese people especially those residing in Malta.
Jordan Abela and Melvin Vella
Students at St Margaret College Senior Secondary School
Verdala, Cospicua