The character in the graphic is ‘pig’ in Chinese. The left part of the character is the suffix for all that is related to meat; the right part is sort of a homophone for the same word.

I love Chinese New Year, it comes at a crucial time in the middle of the Winter to bring in some holiday cheer. I think the way to make Canadians less depressed is to bring in a few holidays during the winter months.

Parliament should impose a February holiday called “Happy Day” or something.

Anyways, Chinese New Year is this Sunday, February 18th— and this is a very critical time for me, since most 1983-born children (February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984), such as myself, are Pigs under the Chinese Zodiac. It’s actually quite depressing, since it has dawned on me that I am turning 24.

As you might be aware, the Chinese Zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle of animals, so this upcoming year of the pig is yet another age milestone.

Just as a cultural tidbit, it is considered taboo to ask people what Chinese Zodiac they are. This is because one can easily guess what age a person is by their zodiac. For example, because I am born a pig, you know my age is a multiple of 12. And as you are aware, I do not look 12, and I hope to never look like I’m 36. Anyway, just like how you would not ask a lady how old she is, you would not ask what zodiac she is.

Although I question how the Chinese are able to associate traits for all people born within a particular year, it is stated that pigs “don’t talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge.” They are also “quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling,” and they have “tremendous fortitude and great honesty.”

Haha, I should write these qualities in my personals.

If you are interested in your own zodiac, vist the Chinese Culture Centre of San Francisco website.

Chinese New Year - [wikipedia.org]
Chinese Culture Center’s Zodiac Page - [c-c-c.org]