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 changes,NBC NewsQuoting Professor Jonathan HX, Professor Lee has focused his research 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, said Professor Lee.

Bringing hope amid challenges

While the world has endured 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 stands amid candles at a shrine in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Photo: Rex/Shutterstock

Mr. Lee emphasized that like horoscopes, zodiac signs are not just an omen, 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's important to step up. You have to pursue your goals with courage," the professor explained.

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

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

The embodiment of courage

As protectors, tigers are the embodiment of courage and bravery, 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 it,” the professor added.

Professor Lee explains that the zodiac originated with early 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.