Hoi An Now | Features | Vietnamese Zodiac (2024)

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Tigers are kings of the forest and, with so much of Vietnam mountainous forest, they have attained holy status.

Tigers are brave, smart risk-takers who can do extraordinary things. Sometimes censured for their non-conformity and strength they may have troubled lives. Female Tigers may encounter difficulty in Vietnam because of their strength but they make the most devoted and protective mothers.

Dark Side – the reckless one

Tigers are totally selfish and reckless, it’s their way or the highway. They drunkenly drive motorbikes without helmets and put us all in danger. Worst of all they insist we all come along on their senseless, juvenile sprees.

As parents they raise their kids in hellish isolation – no one is good enough for them. The spoilt brats and school bullies that emerge continue the appalling cycle of inane adolescent mayhem. Good choice for maverick special operations in guerrilla warfare.

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When it comes to domestic pets, Cats are the most popular in Vietnam, especially because of their ability to protect rice from pests.

Cats are tender but secretive, courteous and sociable, but it’s hard to tell if they are happy or not. They are very deep thinkers.

Dark Side – the self-interested one

None of the signs in the Vietnamese zodiac can compare to Cat’s level of self interest. Cat was smart enough to hitch a ride on Water Buffalo in the ‘great race’ but dropped her guard when Rat pushed her overboard. Ever since that moment, Cats have just looked out for Number 1.

Don’t be fooled by Cat’s occasionalaffection. Every action of Cat is designed to feed its own appetites and enhance its own comfort. Cats like to toy with those weaker than themselves and show no mercy when doing so. Altruism in any form is non-existent in the Cat world.

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Dragons have been deified and are regarded as the most sacred animal in the Vietnamese zodiac.

Dragons are born with huge dolops of raw talent. Associated with royalty, it is said a Dragon never lives poorly, at least in matters of style. If Dragons can learn to balance small as well as large concerns then a perfect life awaits.

Dark Side – the up-herselfone

Dragons arearrogant and tactless. They are more powerful than others and use this advantage without demur. Dare to disagree and they just take you out. Their deification is based totally on fear.

Potentially talented, Dragonswaste their lives in pursuit of the ‘fine things’ andare suckers for the trinkets of the material world. Dragons desperately need topractice meditation and enjoy the beauty of a dewdrop on a leaf instead of gathering golden goblets. Romantic relationships with Dragons are hellish as they are unpredictable with constantly changing emotions with no room in their souls for others.

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Vietnam’s wet climate suits Snakes down to the ground. Theircontribution toVietnamese traditional medicine is highly valued — the venom and skin especially.

Good luck is the most prominent feature of the Snake sign and Snakes can be extremely charming.

Dark Side – the insensitive ‘user’ one

Snakes may be lucky but it’s not so for those around them. Snakes may be wise but they keep this wisdom to themselves. Snakesmay be smart but they have no capacity to work or live collaboratively with others. Once bitten and smitten by a Snake, once falling in love with one, there is no escape. Pray this nightmare doesn’t happen to you!

Snake attached herself closely to Horse in the ‘big race’ but when she had no further need of her she almost frightened her to death before slinking away.

A snake’s intelligence is self-serving and used mostly for materialistic gain. Herdesire to ‘keep up with the Jonses’ isall-consuming and she isover fond of the limelight. To the profound distressof others, Snakes, when they have had a few, sentimentally cry in their beers for hours and hours.

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Horse has traditionally had a key role in transportation in Vietnam, especially in mountainous and forested areas.

Thus Horse is destined to be on the move. Staying at the same place is unbearable. Horses are often very generous and have lots of friends whom they treat like brothers. The key to their success is their confidence and independence.

Dark Side – the cowardly one

If you live with a Horse be prepared to keep moving. Without a thought for anyone else Horses just charge around more or less with no purpose. It’s not just a question of living out of a suitcase: Horses, like fugitives, will need to breakfast, lunch and dinner in different places. When asked why, they just look blank.

In the ‘great race’ fleet-footed Horse was duped by Snake who hitched a ride on her hoof and thenslinked ahead at the last minute. Skittish Horse pulled up short, rearing on her hind legs, neighing with fear at that moment and has suffered from all manner of phobias ever since. Perhaps the fact that Horse is easily duped has contributed to her nervy nature and propensity to always be on the run.

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Goats love the mountains and dreaming the day away while grazing. On the other hand they are brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice.

Goats’ other-worldliness may also be a strength as many goats excel in the imaginative realms of poetry, painting and performing arts.They havedelicate souls, strong creativity, perseverance and acquire professional skills well.

Dark Side – the stubborn, sneaky one

Don’t be fooled by a Goat’s gentle demeanor. On the inside they are opinionated andwill not budge an inch when it comes totheir views. That’s if you can get them to talk. While they love being in a group, they are energy takers not energy givers.

Once you get past their facade of ‘creative genius’ there’s not much to a Goat. They wear their cloak of sensitivity permanently as a ruse to camouflage the empty husk beneath. While Goat, Monkey and Rooster collaborated in the ‘great race’ by sharing a raft, somehow it was Goat who ingratiated himself with the Emperor to be rated above the other twoeven thoughit was Rooster who spotted the raft. Yes, the sneaky, silent one!

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Monkeys can make you smile since they are cheerful from the bottom of their hearts. As the animal closest to humans, monkeys are smart and innovative.

A stay-the-same life is ‘death’ for monkeys andlively change is embraced wholeheartedly. How much can they achieve in just one life? Whether successful or not, monkeys never complain or compare their lot with others. This is the key to their happiness.

Dark Side – the mischievous, nosy one

To say Monkeys are naughty is to put it mildly. They are mischief makers par excellence and their pranks are often hurtful to others. Monkeys are fast learners and crafty opportunists who need partners that stimulate them 24/7 or they simply dump them. Be prepared to have to perform for them day in day out if you want to stick around.

Monkeys are very difficult to live with as they are sly and restless. They are also painfully nosy so lock up anything private and be careful what you let slip – one day it will be used against you as the crafty Monkey plots and plans for the future.

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Roosters are an indispensable source of protein-rich nourishment, nature’s alarm clock and key player in sacrificial offerings associated with worship and festivals.

The Rooster’s cheekiness may lead to trouble but, if he can control this aspect, success will follow as roosters are naturally skilled in many fields. Roosters are very stylish.

Dark Side – the boastful one

Roosters love to talk and get agitated if no one listens. They are vain and boastful as well. In short they strut around like self-important, outspoken politicians who are in love with the sounds of their own voices.

In terms of genuine content there is not much to what a rooster says. Just the same self-serving slogans repeated over and over so often that the hope is they become truth by some osmotic process. co*ck-a-doodle-doo, co*ck-a-doodle-doo, co*ck-a-doodle-doo …

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Dogs are deeply respected for their faithfulness and their ability to keep secrets.

Dogs are nervy and need time to develop trust in relationships as trust is so important to them. Vietnamese people believe that male Dogs should ceremoniallybring their brides home twice to avoid their marriage breaking up in the future. Once Dogs’relationships have strong foundations however, they are very secure.

Dark Side – the pessimistic one

Dogs may be faithful toone or two others but forget the rest of us. Their so-called ‘loyalty’ serves their petty ambitions and is only available to those who have something to offer.

Dogs arewhingers and professional pessimists who drive everybody mad with their moaning and howling. Nothing is ever OK for them. Unfortunately, Dogssometimesattain high office (notably the USPresidency – Bush Jnr, Clinton, Trump), and drag their bleak view across everything.

Nevertheless, Dogs are less scheming and nasty than many of the other zodiac signs. Hence their distant 11th position in the pecking order, far below the nasties above them.

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The importance of pigs economically in Vietnam is somehow emblematic of optimism in the Vietnamese zodiac.

Pigs wear rose-colored glasses, don’t worry, love food and are unselfish. They’re honest and quick to forgive. While not as successful as many others, it doesn’t matter, as a pig’s rosy world leaves her content anyway.

Dark Side – the foolish one

Pigs are easily fooled and are literally pig-headed. Once they embark on one of their projects, no matter how ill-conceived, they will continue, even if it consumes a lifetime. If you’re married to a Pig their intransigence drives you mad.

Pigs will eat you out of house and home. Indeed, after feasting and eating, little else matters to Pig. In the ‘great race’ Pig came last because she got hungry during the race, stopped to feast and then fell asleep.

Pigs are the least nasty of all the signs however. Their worst trait is that they’re boring and asthey don’t think far past the next meal, Pigs occupy last place in the zodiac.