Chinese Parents Plan Conception and Birth to Avoid Having A Child During the Year of the Sheep

Each of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac comes with its positives and negatives, strengths and weaknesses, but somehow over the years, the Year of the Sheep (also known as the year of the ram or goat) has developed a bad reputation. This bad rep is taken so seriously that couples are planning their conception or delivery of a child around avoiding the upcoming Year of the Sheep. 

People say that some children are born lucky, but many Chinese parents believe that luck comes from the year that their child was born. The luckiest year of all to be born is the Year of the Dragon, but no other years are frowned upon the way the Year of the Sheep is. But why? The sheep is thought to be passive, kind, and generous. All qualities that are thought highly of in a person. But in a cutthroat, competitive world those qualities can be a disadvantage. Chinese tradition believes that a baby born during the Year of the Sheep will be followers rather than leaders, are destined for heartbreak, and will not find success in the business world. There is even a folk tale that says only one in ten people born during the Year of the Sheep find true happiness. 

To find the book series that inspires these stories, click here

While many people are working hard to debunk these superstitions, it has proven to be difficult. Some parents have even inquired to medical professionals about having a Caesarean section to ensure their child is born during the Year of the Horse, and not after February 2015, when the Year of the Sheep begins. Health professionals have also reported that last spring, fertility consultations spiked and since the window for conception and delivery during the Year of the Horse closed, they have declined. Professionals in the medical field have expressed concern that as fertility consultations rose during the Year of the Horse, abortions will rise during the Year of the Sheep. 

Even as these assumptions present as unfair and outdated to many, it is a difficult mindset to alter. The traditional beliefs and superstitions of the Chinese Zodiac calendar are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and provide an explanation for phenomena that is otherwise difficult to understand. But as of recent years, other factors (such as political and economic conditions) have greatly influenced birth rates and begun to overshadow the effects of the Zodiac calendar. But regardless, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming Year of the Sheep affects birth rates in comparison to this past year, the Year of the Horse, which is the third luckiest year in the calendar. 

Learn more about the award-winning Fujimini Adventure series.  Purchase the books here

What's Your Chinese Zodiac Animal Sign? (Part Two)

One of the most important aspects of the Chinese New Year is it’s representation of each year through a different animal, twelve to be exact. Originally, the animal signs were designed as a counting system to follow the lunar calendar. But it was during the Han Dynasty, where a significant relationship between the animals signs and people developed. It is believed that the animal that was being represented during the year of your birth can predict your strengths, weaknesses, and even different parts of your fortune. 

So what’s your animal sign and what does it say about you?

4. The Rabbit

Your sign is the rabbit if you were born in the years:

1927

1939

1951

1963

1975

1987

1999

2011

Your strengths:

According to Chinese tradition, the rabbit has long stood for a sign of hope. It is a compassionate, tender, gentle, and sensitive creature- loved by many. People born during the Year of the Rabbit are good at communicating with others in a clever, likable, and humorous way. The soft-spoken and hospitable rabbit makes for a good friend and listener. Easily bored, the rabbit likes to create an interesting and romantic life for itself, being very talented at spicing up dull situations. The rabbit works at a fast pace and if very efficient, but rarely argues or gets angry. 

Your weaknesses:

The rabbit can be impulsive at times, putting money into projects and ideas without thinking it all the way through, which may cause some road blocks in the workforce. It is sometimes easy for the rabbit to lose touch with reality because of their love of romance and tendency to daydream. 

What the Rabbit Can Expect for 2014:

This year will be a year of ups and downs for the rabbit. There will be a lot of good things as well as some bad. The workplace will bring some of each. It is advised for rabbits to try to have good relationships with colleagues, as this will make their job less stressful. When problems are encountered at work, the rabbit should look to family for support. Although the rabbit won’t experience a large increase in their wealth this year, their health and love life is expected to be positive. 

5. The Dragon

Your sign is the dragon if you were born in the years:

1928

1940

1952

1964

1976

1988

2000

2012

Your strengths:

The dragon is one of my favorite signs under the Chinese Zodiac, and I am not alone! The dragon has always enjoyed a high reputation and deep appreciation by the Chinese culture and people. The dragon represents the highest authority, honor, and success. In ancient history, Emperors were referred to as “dragons”, thought to possess divine power, and the thrown they sat upon was known as the “dragon thrown”. Those born under the sign of the dragon are considered great leaders and will achieve much success in life, especially due to their drive for perfection. They are not turned off by challenges and independent thinkers. Those born under the sign of the dragon are both energetic and excitable, making them fun to be around.

Your Weaknesses:

While their success and achievements are good qualities, it can sometimes make dragons seem arrogant or over confident. Dragons are impatient creatures and sometimes struggle to control their emotions, whether it is anger or joy. People whose sign is the dragon often struggle with opening up to others or trusting, which can often be a setback in their love life. 

What the Dragon Can Expect this 2014:

Those born during the Year of the Dragon can expect to have a smooth 2014. Work will flourish this year, as dragons can expect a promotion of some kind. When approaching this year, dragons are advised to be wise and think things through when it comes to work-related decisions and avoid being impulsive. Work will use up much of the dragon’s energy, so make sure to pay attention to health this year and exercise regularly. 

6. The Snake

Your sign is the snake if you were born in the years:

1929

1941

1953

1965

1977

1989

2001

2013

Your strengths:

Within Chinese culture, snakes symbolize mystery, delight, and wealth. Those who are represented by the snake have a good temper and generally remain calm under stressful situations. Despite their cool nature, underneath their calm demeanor, snakes are very passionate and often inspire others through their articulate nature. Due to snake’s unrelenting empathy and sympathy, they make for very good friends.

Your Weaknesses:

Snakes can sometimes be jealous creatures. It is difficult for them to fully trust others and can often become suspicious of others’ intentions. Due to this, they would rather rely only on themselves and don’t like to be dependent on anyone else, which can sometimes hurt their relationships. 

What the Snake Can Expect this 2014:

This year will bring much good fortune for the snake, a relief after their hardships last year. Their fortune will be the most promising towards the beginning of the year, so snakes are encouraged to pursue opportunities right away instead of waiting. This year also brings good fortune in the workplace, with coworkers and income. Investments made by businessmen will pay off within the next several months, bringing much financial satisfaction to the snake. 2014 will also be a wonderful year for love and romance! Single snakes have a good chance of finding love this year. The only area where snakes should be worried is with health. People represented by the snake do not have the best immune systems, and should make sure to see a doctor as soon as any signs of illness or trouble arise. 

7. The Sheep (Also Referred to as the Goat or Ram)

Your sign is a sheep if you were born in the years:

1931

1943

1955

1967

1979

1991

2003

Your strengths:

The sheep has traditionally been associated with gentleness and kindness. Due to its white color, the sheep is linked with purity and the meaning of good things. Those born under the sign of the sheep are tender, caring, and kind-hearted people. They are very compassionate and take excellent care of others. Sheep tend to enjoy a quiet, low-key life and have a special appreciation for the arts. 

Your weaknesses:

The sheep’s quiet and gentle nature is a strength but in certain circumstances can be a weakness as well. They are extremely shy creatures, finding it difficult to reach out to others and be outspoken about their beliefs. At times the sheep can be moody and has difficulty making decisions. They have a very hard time being bold and expressing their love, which can create challenges for them in the romantic world.

What the Sheep Can Expect this 2014:

This year will prove to be a good year for the sheep in all dimensions of life. Their career will flourish and the stressors they endure from their growing success will be manageable. They will gain a lot of experience and accumulate some wealth over the next year as well. As for the sheep’s love life, that will flourish as well! Single sheep are expected to find their partner in the upcoming year and couples will have happy and harmonious relationships. Their health will be relatively good this year, but it is advised for the sheep to pay close attention to their negative emotions, as they tend to be oversensitive at times, because these can have a detrimental effect on their health. 

For the rest of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals read "What's Your Chinese Zodiac Animal Sign? Part Three"! 

What the Arrival of the Year of the Horse Means For You

The Chinese New Year, beginning January 31st, is one of the most popular and exciting holidays on the Chinese calendar. So what makes it so exciting? Well, besides the festive parties and 15-day-long celebration, what makes the Chinese New Year so exciting and unique is its involvement and correspondence with zodiac signs and animals. Each year welcomes not just a new beginning, but also a new Zodiac animal. And with the arrival of 2014 also comes the arrival of the Year of the Horse. 

So what can you expect for the Year of the Horse? 

The coming of the Year of the Horse predicts much good fortune. It will be a year where your romance and your career will reach a point of harmony and peaceful coexistence, something many of us are happy to learn! The Year of the Horse encourages us to reach out and take advantage of the opportunities that are given to us, instead of letting fear, self-doubt, or lack of motivation get in the way. 

And what about those born during the Year of the Horse? 

If you were born in 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 then your zodiac animal is the horse and this year is your year! So what does this mean for you? 

Foretelling of the Year of the Horse predicts that as a whole, your luck and fortune will fluctuate, don't let knowledge of this upset you- but rather, use it to approach the year with caution, care, and above all, strength. When coming face to face with stressors or challenges, seek help from others and search within yourself to find your strength and motivation. 

 As a Horse, you tend to engage in a little self doubt, often seeking approval or confirmation from others before moving ahead with a project or decision- but let this year be the year you become more confident in your choices. 

2014 is a special year because it is not only the Year of the Horse, but specifically, the Year of the Wood Horse. This is important because in Chinese astrology the "element" of wood increases the philosophy of the sign, deepening and strengthening the positive traits associated with the Horse, including action, optimism, and high energy. 

The Wood Horse is also greatly linked with nature and peace, making the usually restless Horse more calm and stable, increasing your ability as a partner, in the romantic as well as professional sense.