Is your bump a little green horse?

What Chinese sign is your little one?

Chinese Astrology is based on the 12 animals- Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig and five elements- Metal, Fire, Wood, Water and Earth.  

It is understood that these 12 animals appeared in front of the Buddha/Jade Emperor in the above order after an invitation to visit.  These twelve animals rotate in a 12-year cycle, with each year being named after the animal. For example we are currently in the Year of the Snake.  

The 5 elements represent the 5 largest planets and combine with Yin and Yang to create a system of 10 stems (Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water and Yin Water) and combine within the 12 branches (animals). With the combination of these 5 elements, two stems and the 12 animals they combine together to create a 60-year cycle. 

The beginning of the year is not as predictable as our new year starting on 1^st January. 

The Chinese New Year normally starts towards the end of January. This year, starting January 31st, we celebrate the year of the Green Wooden Horse.

If you are due to have a baby in 2014, after 31st January your baby will be a little Wooden Horse.

Chinese Astrology has a close relationship with Chinese Philosophy. According to Chinese Astrology the year you are born tells you a lot more then just your age.

The Horse is the 5^th position in the Chinese Zodiac. The Chinese like Horses for many reasons. Horses provided a good and quick transportation for people before automobiles were invented.  A Horse is a ride to a destination. Therefore,  a horse is not only a symbol of travelling, but also a sign of speedy success. Horses are known to like to compete with others. They chase for their freedom, passion and leadership. Therefore, people will have busy schedule for their goal in the year of Horse. In Chinese Five Element Astrology, Horse is connected to fire, red and heat.A horse is a social animal and red is also connected to love, therefore a horse is treated as a Romantic Star in Chinese Astrology. If your baby is due in this Chinese year of the wooden horse, you can expect confidence, generosity, leadership, free spirit and a yearn for freedom to roam with lots  and lots of love.

My little girl, born in May 2010 is a Tiger. Apparently I have a born leader on my hands! And Sam my little boy, born in August 2011 is a Rabbit- He’s timid, sweet and sensitive. Ummmmmm…. Although I am not sure timid is a word I would associate with Sam that’s my two pretty much down to a T.

So, coming from a lady born in the Sign of the Goat (apparently I’m dependable, intelligent, creative and calm) I look forward to meeting all the little green wooden horses out there very soon. Especially the wooden horses that will be making a little appearance in my family and friends lives!

Hurry up little horses,...I can't wait to meet you all.

 A x

unikgifts

2013 - Chinese Year of the Water Snake

It's Chinese New Year on Sunday, so let's take a look at the animal and element that children born after this date

Year of the Water Snake 

Water Snakes are influential and insightful. They tend to be good for organisations, as they work well managing others. They are quite motivated and intellectual, very determined and resolute about success. They will have what they desire, as they like to be recognised for their efforts & to be rewarded as well. They are affectionate with their families and friends but do not show this side of their personality to colleagues or business partners.

Snake parents & children

Snakes will likely form intimate bonds throughout his lifetime with different partners. With these relationships come children, and it is likely the Snake will have many children and stepchildren throughout his lifetime. Regardless, Snakes are devoted and dedicated parents, willing and able to defend the livelihood and happiness of their children.

Snake children often use humour to deal with their children. In addition, this joy of serenity comes at a price for their children. Snake parents are not known to be the most affectionate or playful parents. They do not like to roll around and get dirty with their children, nor do they enjoy loud situations, and these types of things send a Snake running for a locked bedroom door. Unfortunately for the Snake partner, they are responsible for calming the children back down.

Snake children

Snake children are often loners, enjoying playing by themselves, quietly in their gardens or bedrooms.  When picked on or upset, Snake children tend to pout and hold grudges and when embarrassed or angry, they will lash out at the culprit as quickly as they were made fun of.

Some parents immediately click with their children and others find they will never have a close relationship no matter how hard they try to make it happen. 

With thanks to the US Bridal Guide for the information

http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Snake.htm

Happy New Year!

It's the Chinese New Year today, 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' - Happy New Year!

Welcome to the year of the dragon.

Now as a first time Mum I'm a dragon, in fact all first time Mum's are dragons... just see their reaction when harm befalls their child! They fly [off the handle], roar and breathe fire... (joke!).

As a lady born under the sign of the Dragon (a fire dragon at that!), I've always loved dragons. So today I'm going to celebrate dragons in all their glory.

The Hobbit meets Smaug

The first dragon I came across was Smaug in The Hobbit. Now Smaug was not the best example of the noble breed of dragons. His greed for treasure dominated his character, his pride and vanity his downfall.  A red fire breathing dragon with a jewel encrusted underside (with of course one bare patch). A mighty dragon indeed, and so beautifully drawn!

Dungeons & Dragons cartoon

Most dragons were cattle eating, terrible villains throughout most of my childhood reading, but their illustrations were always the best in the book. Rising magically in the background, wings glistening in the light.

Then came the TV programme Dungeons & Dragons, where a group of children were whisked off to a magical land, given magical weapons and little help to find their way home. Of course, the villain was able to call upon a mighty dragon to provide the mortal peril! Thankfully the dragon never seemed to harm the children, or they him (for long).

This was the first time I had stumbled across the multi headed version of a dragon. I wonder if this trait came from the stories of the ancient Chinese 9 dragons?

The Legend of the Dragon Kings

Chinese dragons were always fascinating to me and I was thrilled to find a cartoon series (with subtitles) all about dragons. Well Four Dragon Kings, that walked the world as men but could turn into dragons?! Since this was on very late (I could watch it after my shift working in a pub so er 1.30am ish) I didn't always read all the subtitles so my memory of the story is hazy at best!.

However, here were dragons as I knew they were - proud, noble creatures! Able to show their strength and power to defend themselves or others who needed protection.

Dragon Riders of Pern

I then started to read the Anne McCaffrey books, where the magical creatures were telepathic with their riders. Such beautiful illustrations on the covers of these books.

Now that I'm older and actually can sit through a movie, I've noticed that Dragons have started to appear in films as well as books - Harry Potter has several dragons, Eragorn (yes I read the books first), How to Train Your Dragon, and Dragonheart to name a few. It's not just Pete and his Dragon anymore!
Movies aren't the only place you find dragons these days... they are on our TV screen on a Saturday - Merlin!

And with each story dragon's have become more noble and magical with the telling of their tale. Still fierce wild creatures but with an ancient wisdom to steer us humans on a course that allows us to fulfil our destiny!

Of course those of you that read my tweets and blogs know that there's another dragon in my life. One that is proudly displayed at our front door, on the mantle piece over our fire, and even on the wall over looking my laptop here.... (for those of you that guess it's a photo of my Mother in Law... Shame on you!). I have several of these dragons in my home:

The Red Dragon of Wales (Y Ddraig Goch)

Well being a Fire breathing dragon myself, I was destined to marry a Welshman. Who else carries a dragon on their national flag? 

u-ni-k gifts will soon be giving you the opportunity to own one of our dragons, in our original artwork  on sale, new for 2012 [watch this space].