Do Not Get Married in the Coming Year of the Rooster (some Chinese Believe)
by www.SixWise.com

Looking for an excuse to move your wedding date up to the next few weeks-or postpone it for another year? Come February 9, the Chinese Year of the Rooster begins, and traditional Chinese beliefs say it's an unlucky time to wed.

And it's all because the lunar cycle begins late this year. This means that it doesn't have "lichun," or the day that marks the start of spring. This is why this Year of the Rooster is also designated as a "widow year," or one that's jinxed as far as marriage is concerned.

Many people in China are scrambling to get married while it's still the Year of the Monkey, and marriage registrations are soaring in the country, where typically it's a slow time of year for weddings.

This "widow year" will occur only three years after the last widow year, which occurred in 2002 and prompted a similar marriage rush. Fortunately, though, the phenomenon typically only occurs once every nine years.

If you're feeling skeptical, you're not alone. Zhang Youde, a sociologist at Shanghai University, said, "Though the 'widow year' is nonsense, the fact that people try to avoid it reflects their strong desire for a happy marriage."

The jinx doesn't extend to all facets of life, though. According to the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco:

"People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. They always think they are right and usually are! They are always interesting and can be extremely brave."

How many superstitions did you follow on your wedding day?

Of course, the Chinese are not the only ones who take on a "better safe than sorry" attitude when it comes to superstitions. How many of you made a point not to see the bride or groom before your wedding, wore something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, or tied tin cans to the back of the limo to "ward off evil spirits"?

Perhaps the Year of the Rooster isn't so far-fetched after all? You be the judge.

Sources

Chinese Couples Chicken Out of Rooster Year Weddings

Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco