Happy Lunar New Year of the Yang Water Tiger!

Photo by Andrey Tikhonovskiy on Unsplash

The New Moon of February 1, 2022 marks the start of the Lunar Year of the Yang Water Tiger one of 12 signs of Chinese Zodiac.  In this post we take a look at some of the symbolism and share links that you can explore to learn more about the Year of the Tiger.

The late Taoist scholar Liu Ming described these 12 Zodiac signs as “12 shapes of Qi”, ways that individual/societal awareness and focus may shift through the years. Ming also emphasized that astrology is about looking at metaphors and their meaning.

Claudia Anfuso of Consider Astrology, points out: “Chinese astrology is actually misnamed astrology – it is not about watching the movements of stars and constellations. It is a way to look at the sequence of time to tell us something about ourselves and our place in the orchestration of life.” Click on the link above to read her detailed Tiger Year post, co-written with Erin Langley LAc.

The Tiger is characterized by chaos, rebellion, unpredictability, creativity,  impulsiveness, fearlessness, courage, and determination. This presents a strong energetic contrast to last year’s gentle, unhurried, and calm energy of the Yin Metal Ox. The Tiger year shakes things up after the slow patient slog of the Ox year, disrupting structures and routines. The Tiger encourages us to live with uncertainty, act in the moment, and not always play by the rules. This also means mistakes will be made 😉

Tigers are enthusiastic and creative; they will go above and beyond for a beloved cause or project. They also hide and wait patiently for an opportunity to pounce. This energy signals that this year might be the time to “seize the day” and to take some chances. Tigers are able to rest deeply when they need to restore their energy, alternating between intensity and passivity, sometimes at the drop of a hat. They are sprinters, not marathon runners.

Of the five Taoist elements Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, we shift from the metal aspect (white) into the water aspect (black). This year’s Yang Water is characterized by dynamic force, evoking rushing rivers, strong surf, big waterfalls. The innate element of the Tiger is Yang Wood, and it supports the Water element as water nourishes plants. Wood element and the Tiger are associated with Spring season, new growth and renewal. Water molds to the shape of its container, inviting flexibility and transformation.

Water element is associated with the Kidney/Bladder in Chinese medicine and with the emotion of fear. Fear isn’t always a negative thing, it can be essential to survival and can serve us well in the midst of the tumultuous energy of the Tiger year. Kidneys in Traditional Chinese Medicine are associated with ancestral strength and vitality and are said to relate to adrenal glands located just above the anatomical kidneys. The kidneys and adrenals are continuously calibrating our bodies, regulating metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions, helping us too adapt to our internal and external environments. This is a good year to tend to our kidneys, bladder, bones, brain, and teeth. As always, Qi gong practice can be deeply nourishing and beneficial, and of course, acupuncture is a very helpful tool! Our Qi Gong instructor Rae Diamond, who is also a practicing astrologer, offers a wonderful Tiger year post, full of helpful tips and reflections here.

Some famous people figures born in a Tiger year are: Political figures Queen Elizabeth II, Fidel Castro, and Mahatma Ghandi, performers Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, writers Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens, composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn, actors Marylin Monroe, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Bill Murray.

Tiger’s Play Astrology offers one of the most extensive Lunar New Year reflections we have seen. Its author, Gregory David Done, writes: “With all the possibilities this year, we will need a lot of forgiveness towards ourselves and each other.  So, give people a lot of territory to roam.  Give your heart a lot of territory to roam.  Choose kindness, and when forming opinions, opt for collective wellbeing, err on the side most compassionate.  And remember, never forget how swiftly this life will be over, like a flash of summer lightning!  Live brave, live bold, and take plenty of naps!”