The other day I went to SungeiWang, a well known department store nearby where I am living. I was looking for some accessories as I like to wear bracelet and necklace. By chance I found a shop where they were selling a silver necklace with a dragon stamped on it. I don't know why but I felt quite attracted to it, and I decided to buy it.
Since I was a child I liked dragons, I don't think it is because I was born on the year of dragon in the chinese horoscope, but simply because I found those mystical creatures great and respectful.
I bought the necklace. For 21 Ringgits, I have an oportunity to wear it every single day :). Its shape is nice, the design is good and I wear it since then, even at the office.
It just happened that one day after that, I had a chance to read a book about chinese horoscopes. What a coincidence! It has been interesting for me to know about how asian cultures believe, and I have been surprised on how much developed the chinese horoscope is, in comparison to the western culture.
As you know, chinese horoscope consists in a set of twelve representative animals (Rat/Ox/Tiger/Rabbit/Dragon/Snake/Horse/Sheep/Monkey/Rooster/Dog/Pig), and each year a different animal is assigned. Therefore, each horoscope happens once in twelve years.
What made me surprised, is that within these 12 animals, there are also some specific characteristics. For example, there are five different elements for dragons (metal, water, fire, wood and earth). And depending on the year you were born, you are one type or another.
Each horoscope happens once every 12 years, and there are five elements, which means that in combination with each type of horoscope, for example, a water monkey, happens only every 60 years (12 for the animal, plus 5 times for each element).
I checked through the website and book, I happened to know that my year, 1976, is the year of the dragon, more specifically the "Fire Dragon", which will not happen again untill 2036.
When I read the book I was surprised because the color-preference for dragons is greenish-blue, and they like sapphire and amber, and so do I... I was surprised to find a matching between the book and my personality.
Not everything has to be agreed, but most of the parts I do. Besides through website and book I also found the best hobbies for a dragon are computers/IT which is my field, and one of best gifts is a camera! :) So happy!
I found some paraghraphs interesting, which match my personality,
"Others love to be around Dragons because they have a way of making people feel better. Dragons are quick to fall in love, but do not surrender their independence easily leaving most of them to live life by themselves. Yet, an smart, witty, and funny companion may intrigue the Dragon long enough to make him want to get married. And once the Dragon becomes committed, he is unlikely to ever leave.
It takes someone with thick skin who is easygoing to be a Dragon's partner, because, despite their sentimental characters, they can be moody, and insensitive. Many people will want to run when the Dragon's temper is provoked. Chinese horoscopes are very specific about which partnerships have the potential to be successful in love and in business. Yet, though destiny can point us in the right direction, we must still make all efforts to maintain loving relationships."
I agree in the terms of that I am sometimes surrounded by people and I treat them confidently. I often try to make people around me feel comfortable, I like to listen to them, hear their stories and talks, and suppord them anytime needed. Not only in Malaysia, but also in Spain and everywhere.
But it is also part of my character to be moody when I am angry at something. It takes really long time to make me mad or angry since I am a very patient person who loves to listen and attend to reasons, but once I am mad, it must be really a good reason to make me feel angry as I am quite easy going and I don't like conflicts, basically, unless I find the reason really necessary to fight with.
What I can say is that I have almost never had a hate or anger feeling against anyone except when the cause was really big enough to make me feel so. I am quite patient and do not rush to conclusions easily at the time I still don't know well the situation.
It is true I like to advice my friends whenever needed and I do love supporting and listening to people confidently. This is how long lasting friendships can be build and I am happy for every single time I spend with my friends.
On the back part of my necklace, I ordered to write down and stamp a well known japanese saying:
"ichigo ichie" (一期一会). It literally translates to "One encounter, one chance" and can be translated as "for this time only," "never again," or "one chance in a lifetime."
Ichigo-Ichie means that every encounter with someone, even a friend whom you see often, should be treated as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
Its origins come from the traditional japanese tea ceremony, which reminds participants that each tea meeting is unique.
It is also used to admonish students in a dojo who become careless or frequently stop techniques midway to "try again," rather than moving on with the technique despite the mistake.
The reason why I decided to write these kanji is because it reminds me that each chance is unique and it is on our hands to take it or leave it. Yet every time we meet people, they will make our meeting unique and we should learn to appreciate all this precious time.
Lately some of my good friends in Malaysia are leaving overseas and I do not certainly know when I will see them again. Each encounter with them has been really pleasant, and so has been every single moment spent with my friends from Spain who came to visit me a few days ago and loved it here, and also the ones who are now in Spain.
I encourage all of them to take the chance at the right moment, do whatever choice and follow it to the last consequences as each experience will certainly enrich our life and the life of those surrounding us.
Take the chance and be strong in your thoughts, life happens only once and it is our responsability to try and fight for whatever we want to do.
In short I will know wether my dreams will become true or not after a long time. What I can say is that even accomplished, I will always keep trying and never give up on it. Take the chances, and let your life feel alive. You will learn how to respect yourself and how to respect on others.
Dragons are not only the creatures I like, but also Phoenix, as they can stand up and reborn in life no matter how. And from a human point of view, there is no more pride on oneself than seeing our dreams accomplished after a long effort.
This necklace will remind me that, as the dragons do, flame into life, let your life have a chance to experience and learn from every single moment you live, take your choices before they turn from a lively fire into ashes!
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More information about the chinese horoscopes can be found here:
