The most important thing for people born in the year of the Tiger in the new year

Lunar New Year can mark a turning point towards positive change,NBC NewsProfessor Jonathan HX's research focuses on Asian and Asian American religions and folklore.

East Asian countries and Vietnam, along with overseas Vietnamese communities, welcomed the Year of the Tiger. The tiger, one of the 12 zodiac animals, is considered a positive sign and is often associated with warding off evil, Professor Lee said.

Bringing hope amid challenges

While the world has gone through difficult years during the pandemic, Professor Lee said the Year of the Tiger could bring hope amid the challenges.

“We are living in the shadow of a major disaster – the pandemic. And the Year of the Tiger 2022 will see many changes to eliminate that disaster,” Mr. Lee said.

The Year of the Tiger could mark a turning point for positive change. Here, a little girl is surrounded by candles at a temple in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Photo: Rex/Shutterstock

Mr. Lee emphasizes that like horoscopes, zodiac signs are not just a sign, but also a reminder of qualities to harness to maximize the positive aspects of the tiger.

This is especially true for those born in the Year of the Tiger, he said. They have the courage of their zodiac sign, but need to realize it. “This is the year to be more courageous. Step out of your comfort zone,” said Mr. Lee.

"The message is that this will be a good year for you but it is important to step up. You have to pursue your goals with courage," the professor explained.

Mr. Lee said that tigers have long had significance in Eastern culture, where the zodiac legend originated. In Chinese mythology, Mr. Lee said, the tiger was asked by the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven, to ward off evil spirits.

The purge of evil could be applied socially, for example symbolizing a relatively positive shift from pandemic to endemic, he added.

The embodiment of courage

As a protector, the tiger is the embodiment of courage and bravery, Mr. Lee explained. So, the Year of the Tiger can also symbolize resilience and strength, even in difficult times.

This can be interpreted in the context of the pandemic exacerbating racism against the Asian American community. Data released on January 31 showed that anti-Asian hate crimes last year increased 339% compared to the previous year.

“What better mascot this year than the tiger to represent courage and strength and determination in the fight against anti-Asian hate?” Lee said.

Tigers are the embodiment of courage and bravery. Photo: NBC News.

“The tiger itself can be a great mascot to fight back or prevent violence, because that is the nature of this animal. In mythology, on Earth there were violent, destructive and harmful monsters, the Jade Emperor asked the tiger to come down and defeat them. And it did that,” the professor added.

Professor Lee explained that the zodiac originated with primitive humans. It was a way for the “ancients” to understand the world. Many Western traditions base their zodiac on the Sun, but the Eastern zodiac is predicted based on the movements of the Moon.

Although folklore and customs have faced many challenges, Professor Lee said it still survives and carries a profound lesson.