Little Debbie posing with a plaster pig.

In case you don’t know, this year is the Chinese Year of the Pig. It also happens to be the Golden year, which is VERY special. Enjoy this information on the Year of the Pig.

According to Chinese Zodiac, Year of 2007 is a Year of the Pig with the designated element—Fire. It begins on February 18, 2007 and ends on February 6, 2008. The Chinese New Year, i.e. Lunar New Year, does not begin on 1st of January, but on a date that corresponds with the second New Moon after the winter equinox, so it varies from year to year.

The years progress in cycles of 12 and each year is represented by an animal. The cycle of 12 repeated five times to form a large cycle of 60years, and in each of the 12-year cycles, the animals are ascribed an element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water) with a Yin or Yang characteristic, which determines their disposition. Thus, in a cycle of 60 years no two animals are the same. The Year of the Pig is the last one in the 12-year cycle.

About people born in the year of the pig: The Chinese name for Pig is "Zhu" (pronounced similar to zoo in English) which is a sign of honesty. The Pig is a fun and enlightening personality blessed with patience and understanding. People born under the sign of the Pig enjoy life and all it has to offer, including family and friends. They are honest and thoughtful and expect the same of other people. Pigs can be perceived as gullible because they do care about others so much they will do just about anything for a friend in need.

Pigs are more comfortable giving of their own time or attention than they are to ask others for it. They do not find asking for help an easy task and would rather carry the burden themselves. Pigs will do anything they can to maintain a sense of peace amongst family or friends. This can lead to being taken advantage of, but Pigs basically forgive and forget everything. They are compassionate souls who simply want to keep the peace.