Year of the Boar

So, I emailed out my New Year's cards yesterday with the brief explanation that it was a traditional Japanese greeting for the new year, but I didn't explain what the various components were for non-Japanese recipients... and so I got a few questions about the card.

So here's an explanation:

The text here (in the blue circle) is your basic traditional Japanese New Year greeting. Literally (or as literally as I can manage) it translates to "Thank you for all you did to take care of me last year. Please continue to give me your favor for this year." Basically it's a fancy way to express gratitude and hope for continued good relations. That sounds like an awkward explanation because the language is very formal, but this greeting is very common, especially since these New Year cards are often used in a business context -- to keep up with your network of contacts.
The pig. People have asked if a pig signifies good luck or anything, and while it may, the reason it's on this card is because 2007 is the year of the pig/boar under the Chinese (Japanese adopted) zodiac. It's very common to use the "year of..." animal on New Year cards. Last year, I blew it on sending any kind of greetings, but had I managed to produce a card, it would have had a dog on it (because, you guessed it, 2006 was the year of the dog). The zodiac is 12 years, and the boar is the last animal in the cycle. So 2008 will be the year of the rat and the beginning of a new 12 year cycle. Check here to find out what animal represents the year you were born. If you were born in February, make sure to check the date of the year because the Chinese new year is a lunar-based date, so its exact date differs year to year. Also, the Japanese certainly recognize the lunar new year, but they celebrate January 1st as the beginning of the new year. As with other zodiac calendars, your birth year also suggests certain traits about you. People born in the year of the boar (preferable to call people "boars" than "pigs") -- 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, etc. -- reputedly have these character traits.

I was born in the year of the monkey (yes, 1968), and this is what Wikipedia has to say about my character:

The Monkey is the most versatile sign of the Chinese zodiac. Such people are often inventors, plotters, entertainers and the creative geniuses behind anything ingenious, including mischief. They have natural quick-wittedness which enables them to understand what is happening and then make a right decision. Even during a conversation a person born in this year is aware of what is going on around him/her, and then makes a mental note of who said what and stores it away for future reference. In general, with their agile minds and multiple talents, monkey type of people can master any subject. They are reliable and honest people so that any secret is safe in their hands. These people are also honest in their dealings. Monkey people are very good at problem-solving. Wherever you are, whoever you may be, if you've got a problem pick up the phone and dial-a-Monkey. Monkeys know how to listen closely and work out solutions at the same time.

Although these people are trustworthy and unlikely to hurt someone out of spite, they would never let people escape if they have behaved badly or damaged monkey's reputation. Their stamina and determination to achieve their main goals can make these people appear vain or manipulative. It means that monkey type of people should be careful so not to damage their friendships. It is important to remember for this type of people that it would be wiser sometimes not to pursue their goals and simply let things pass.

Monkeys have flexible principles and serene self-confidence so they are completely content; but they usually manage to complicate the lives of others. After yet another plan or project has gone wrong, they are seldom there to help clean up the disorder and confusion that they leave in their wake. Monkeys can handle that too; with their charm and persuasiveness they can make people believe that just knowing them is a privilege!

Okay, I admit that I put that up that because it's such a complimentary profile -- don't I just sound like a great gal? Anyway, take it all with a grain of salt... but I do definitely identify with some of that.

But back to my explanation of the card -- so sorry for the detour.

Lastly, the two Chinese (Japanese) characters on the card... The one in the upper right hand corner (in black) is simply the word/character for "pig" in both Chinese and Japanese, written in calligraphy so it's purty. The character on the upper left corner with the blue arrow pointing to it, well, it's a stylized Chinese character, but I don't know what it means. I presume it is a New Year greeting, but I can't confirm that. If anyone knows for certain, please leave a comment!

So there you have it! Off to eat my bagels and lox...