Year of the pig, year of the baby

how we live — By Bob Riel on March 2, 2007 at 7:45 am

China’s medical system is bracing for a wave of newborn babies this year. The reason? It’s the Year of the Pig, which in traditional Chinese beliefs is an auspicious time to be born. As the Washington Post reports:

In Chinese tradition, one of 12 animals is assigned as a patron for each year. Besides the pig, there is the dog, which held sway over 2006, and the monkey, snake, horse, dragon, sheep, rooster, mouse, ox, rabbit and tiger. Each animal is supposed to endow children born during its year with special characteristics.

According to Xiao Fang, a folk culture specialist at Beijing Normal University:

“The pig in general is considered by Chinese as a representative of fortune and luck, with a mild temper and an honest character, so many Chinese parents believe babies born in this year are lucky.”

Adds a 30-year-old businesswoman who is currently pregnant:

“I hope this will bring him good luck. The elderly keep on saying that boys born in the Year of the Pig are lucky. I have been hearing this since childhood. It’s just a Chinese belief. But I feel very lucky.”