Year of the Tiger

by Dennis Green

The Year of the Tiger came in with a roar Sunday, along with St. Valentine’s Day. And in Chinese astrology, the Tiger is a graceful, sometimes impetuous beast, feline and as outrageous as his striped coat. As three young thugs mauled by a white Siberian tiger at the San Francisco Zoo several years ago will tell you, it’s a big cat not to be messed with!

I have a dragon tattooed on my left biceps, and a tiger on my right, a combination quite conventional in Chinese and Japanese art, and for good reason. Both beasts are powerful — the mythical and the real — and both are a bit impulsive, but the Tiger is also subtle in ways the Dragon is not, and balances him.

But let me quote an old Chinese text: “The Tiger, Keynote: Courage. Dynamic and daring, hates to obey. Appears broadminded and tolerant but dislikes interference. At best warm-hearted, entertaining, understanding, but at worst selfish, alienating and exhausting. Generous, capable of love. Enjoys taking risks but has a tendency to rush into things without proper consideration.”

Sound familiar? People born from 1/31/38–2/18/39, (“Persistent, Responsible, Objective”), between 2/17/50 – 2/5/51, (“Extroverted, Optimistic, Reckless”). between 2/5/62–1/24/63, (“Open-Minded, Agreeable, Realistic”), between 1/23/74 – 2/10/75, (“Tolerant, Generous, Weary”), between 2/9/86 – 1/28/87, (“Outspoken, Transient, Forceful”). between 1/28/98 – 2/5/99, (“Persistent, Responsible, Objective”), between 2/14/2010 – 1/28/2011, (“Extroverted, Optimistic, Reckless”), are all born in a Year of the Tiger, and will undoubtedly share those characteristics in their personalities. That’s just a given.

But that description also tells us something about the temper of the times. This year. The political rage and frustration boiling up all around the country, expressing itself even in the way that people drive their big cars and trucks and SUVs. Reckless, Forceful.

That rebellious spirit will intensify as the November elections approach, and no one will be safe. That’s why so many long-time politicians, including the last of the Kennedys, have announced that they will not be running for re-election. Congress isn’t much fun anymore. Weary.

Chinese astrology, like any symbol system, is fun to play with, so long as you don’t take it too seriously. Apparently, the Chinese do not. They usher in the Year of the Tiger with many sweets — candies and pastries and fruits — and celebrate the Lunar New Year with a beauty pageant and a parade through Chinatown and North Beach.

And if we can celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, (and how did he get to be a saint, anyway?), with roses, chocolates and gifts of sexy underwear, we can certainly suspend our disbelief as our Chinese neighbors celebrate their New Year with red peony blossoms and big paper dragons.

Legend tells us that the Buddha once asked all of the animals to visit him on New Years Day, but only twelve animals showed up. One of those twelve animals was the Tiger, and he has been highly regarded ever since.

©2010 Dennis Green