The Pig is the twelfth of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. In the continuous sexagenary cycle of sixty years, every twelfth year corresponds to hai, (the twelfth of the twelve Earthly Branches); this re-recurring twelfth year is commonly called the Year of the Pig. There are five types of Pigs, named after the Chinese elements. In order, they are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. These correspond to the Heavenly Stems. Thus, there are five pig years in every sexagenarian cycle. For example, in the year 2019, the Earthly Branch is the twelfth, hài, and the Heavenly Stem is the sixth. The Chinese New Year in 2019 is February fifth: this corresponds with the beginning of both the sexagenary year of Ji hài and also the zodiac year of the Earth Pig.
In the Japanese zodiac and the Tibetan zodiac,[2] the Pig is replaced by the boar. In the Dai zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the elephant. In the Gurung zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the deer.
2019 is the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Earth Pig, starting from Feb. 5, 2019 (Chinese New Year) and lasting to Jan. 24, 2020.
Years of the Pig include 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031. In Chinese astrology, each year belongs to a Chinese zodiac animal according to the 12-year cycle.
Pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Pig include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043...
A pig is not thought to be a smart animal in China. It likes sleeping and eating and becomes fat. Thus it usually features laziness and clumsiness. On the positive side, it behaves itself, has no plan to harm others, and can bring affluence to people. Consequently, it has been regarded as wealth.
Earthly Branch of Birth Year: Hai
Wu Xing (The Five Elements): Shui (Water)
Yin Yang: Yin
Some Chinese Muslims will say that they were born in the year of the hai (twelfth and final year of the zodiac) to avoid saying the "Pig". This is because pigs are haram (forbidden to eat) in Islam and therefore Muslims consider pigs unclean.
Source: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/pig.html
Technical Details
SOUVENIR SHEET SIZE 130mm x 150mm
SHEETLET SIZE 90mm x 110mm
PERFORATION 2mm
COLOURS Full Colour Process
PAPER Tullis Russel Non-Phosphor
GUM Unwatered mark, PVA Gummed
PRINTING TECHNIQUE Multicolour Offset, Lithography
DESIGNER IGPC Production, NY
PRINTER C&C Printers, CN
ISSUE DATE 28th February 2019
WITHDRAWAL DATE 28th August 2019
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in Chinese astrology and zodiac traditions, let me dive into the details surrounding the article on the Year of the Pig and its various aspects.
Firstly, the Chinese zodiac is a cyclical system consisting of 12 animals, each associated with a particular year in a 12-year cycle. This system is intertwined with the Chinese calendar, and every twelfth year corresponds to a specific animal. In this context, the Year of the Pig, being the twelfth in the cycle, recurs every 12 years. Notably, the Pig is the twelfth of the twelve Earthly Branches.
The article mentions five types of Pigs, each associated with one of the Chinese elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. These elements correspond to the Heavenly Stems and add an additional layer of complexity to the Chinese zodiac system. Therefore, in each sexagenary cycle, there are five years dedicated to Pigs, each characterized by one of the elements.
The Chinese New Year in 2019 marked the beginning of the Year of the Pig, specifically the Year of the Earth Pig. This information aligns with the concept of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, where the Earthly Branch for that year is the twelfth, hài, and the Heavenly Stem is the sixth, Ji.
The article also touches upon the cultural variations of the zodiac in other East Asian traditions. In the Japanese zodiac and Tibetan zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the boar, in the Dai zodiac by the elephant, and in the Gurung zodiac by the deer.
The significance of the Year of the Pig extends beyond 2019, as the article lists other years of the Pig in the past and future, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the Chinese zodiac. For instance, the Years of the Pig include 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031.
From a cultural perspective, the article highlights certain characteristics associated with the Pig in Chinese astrology. While Pigs are perceived as not particularly smart, being inclined towards sleeping and eating, they are also viewed positively for their well-behaved nature and their association with affluence and wealth.
Moreover, the technical details provided at the end of the article pertain to a souvenir sheet related to the Year of the Pig, including its size, perforation, colors, paper type, gum, and printing technique. These details offer insights into the production and design aspects of commemorative items associated with the Chinese zodiac.
In conclusion, this comprehensive overview provides a rich understanding of the Year of the Pig in the Chinese zodiac, encompassing its astrological significance, cultural variations, and even technical details related to associated memorabilia.
