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

Lunar New Year can mark a turning point towards positive change.NBC NewsCiting Professor Jonathan HX's assessment, Professor Lee has conducted research focused on the religions and folklore of Asians and Asian Americans.

East Asian countries and Vietnam, along with overseas Vietnamese communities, have celebrated 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 amidst challenges

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

"We are living in the shadow of a great calamity - a pandemic. And the Year of the Tiger 2022 will bring many changes aimed at eliminating that calamity," said Mr. Lee.

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

Mr. Lee emphasized that, like astrology, the zodiac is not just an omen, but also a reminder of the qualities to be cultivated in order 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 courage hidden within their zodiac sign, but need to bring it to fruition. "This is the year you should be more courageous. Step out of your comfort zone," Lee said.

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

Mr. Lee said that tigers have long held significant meaning in Eastern culture, the origin of zodiac legends. In Chinese mythology, Mr. Lee said, the tiger was sent by the Jade Emperor, who rules heaven, to drive away demons.

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

The embodiment of courage

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

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

“This year, is there a better mascot than the tiger to represent courage, strength, and determination in the fight against anti-Asian hatred?” Lee said.

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

"The tiger itself can be a great talisman to fight back against or prevent violence, because that is the nature of this animal. In mythology, there were ferocious, destructive demons on Earth who caused much harm, and the Jade Emperor ordered the tiger to come down and subdue them. And it succeeded in doing so," the professor added.

Professor Lee explained that the zodiac originated with early humans. It was a way for "ancient people" to understand the world. Many Western traditions determine their zodiac based on the Sun, but Eastern zodiacs are predicted based on the movement of the Moon.

Although folklore and customs have faced many challenges, Professor Lee said they still survive and carry a profound lesson.

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