I’m so grateful to you for sharing this. I’m Trinidadian, and my grandmother was Chinese (born of Chinese immigrants to Trinidad). Growing up, however, we didn’t celebrate Chinese holidays. This year, for whatever reason, I’ve been wanting to learn more about my Chinese heritage. Apocryphal or not, this explanation of the Chinese zodiac is deeply helpful. So thank you! ❤️
There is such a rich Chinese history in Trinidad—and more broadly across the Caribbean—with so much beauty and also so much pain. And I think many of us in the diaspora have lost some of these traditions, given both time and distance. It's only recently that I've sought more actively to reclaim and reframe some of these traditions for myself.
I love that you know about the Chinese history of Trinidad/the Caribbean! Yes, it's a source of some embarrassment that I don't know more. I remember my great grandparents -- who spoke very broken English -- but I was very young when they passed away. I have an uncle who has traced our family tree back to China, but know very little detail about their lives. It's something I've become very interested in (as well as my African and Indian heritage) in recent years.
So again, I'm so grateful that your sharing has helped to fill in some gaps, if only a little bit!
What wonderful stories explaining your heritages culture. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year, may peace also mark your comings and goings, and all go well with you also.
"None of this was intended to be about me or the singular you or any person in isolation. It has always been about us. It has always been about urging each of us—all of us—to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the world."
This is a truth that applies to so much happening within our societies. I feel it applies to all great wisdom/teachings/philosophies/religions--they seek to create community because true isolation is death. Even being by oneself in nature, exercise, or some other sort of practice calms us so we can be the best version of ourselves for the sake the world.
Thank you for this today; it has been especially thought-provoking for me.
Beautiful Jeff! I loved learning about the pairs and their meanings. I know nothing of this rich history and feel so glad that you shared it with us. I love this line." It’s all about the fragile, fiercely beautiful whole." We do need each other.
Peace to you in this New Year in all your travels.
An online friend of mine -- not asian but very steeped in Taoist arts -- has studied Chinese astrology and applies it's principles to individuals. I agree that a lot of superficial fortune telling based solely on the sign of one's birth year is a bunch of hokum but, ya know -- baby, bathwater. It seems to me that my friend's in depth style of chart reading is a rich and storied art. It's your opinion that this is not a valid part of Chinese culture?
I would never say that any particular practice is not a "valid" part of a culture. I have no interest in cultural gatekeeping of that sort. My argument—both my understanding as well as my desire—is simply that the zodiac as well as Chinese tradition should not be seen or interpreted primarily through the lens of individualism. Of course plenty of Chinese people over the course of the centuries have done so. But communal harmony and collective good are, in theory, higher priorities in traditional Chinese culture.
It was so great to read this since my Chinese New Year knowledge has basically come from paper menus in Chinese restaurants. I hope you have a blessed new year filled with all the desires of your heart.
This brought such mixed emotions. Joy in the sharing of the dragon lore, grief in the family traditions as my father passed this year and so much with him, peace in the cadence of your words and truth telling.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories about Zhou Enlai's thoughts on the zodiacs! I never know they are paired up and I like your connections of them to the balanced family and society, representing the Chinese philosophy. 龙年大吉！
I’m so grateful to you for sharing this. I’m Trinidadian, and my grandmother was Chinese (born of Chinese immigrants to Trinidad). Growing up, however, we didn’t celebrate Chinese holidays. This year, for whatever reason, I’ve been wanting to learn more about my Chinese heritage. Apocryphal or not, this explanation of the Chinese zodiac is deeply helpful. So thank you! ❤️
There is such a rich Chinese history in Trinidad—and more broadly across the Caribbean—with so much beauty and also so much pain. And I think many of us in the diaspora have lost some of these traditions, given both time and distance. It's only recently that I've sought more actively to reclaim and reframe some of these traditions for myself.
I love that you know about the Chinese history of Trinidad/the Caribbean! Yes, it's a source of some embarrassment that I don't know more. I remember my great grandparents -- who spoke very broken English -- but I was very young when they passed away. I have an uncle who has traced our family tree back to China, but know very little detail about their lives. It's something I've become very interested in (as well as my African and Indian heritage) in recent years.
So again, I'm so grateful that your sharing has helped to fill in some gaps, if only a little bit!
What wonderful stories explaining your heritages culture. Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year, may peace also mark your comings and goings, and all go well with you also.
Blessing on your trip to North Carolina.
I have never heard these stories before nor ever knew the meaning of the Chinese New Year animals. Thank you for enlightening me as you so often do.
"None of this was intended to be about me or the singular you or any person in isolation. It has always been about us. It has always been about urging each of us—all of us—to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the world."
This is a truth that applies to so much happening within our societies. I feel it applies to all great wisdom/teachings/philosophies/religions--they seek to create community because true isolation is death. Even being by oneself in nature, exercise, or some other sort of practice calms us so we can be the best version of ourselves for the sake the world.
Thank you for this today; it has been especially thought-provoking for me.
Thank you for this, and Happy New Year!
Thanks for this explanation about the Chinese Zodiac! Your newsletter is a great blessing to me and I am always excited when I see it in my email.
Beautiful Jeff! I loved learning about the pairs and their meanings. I know nothing of this rich history and feel so glad that you shared it with us. I love this line." It’s all about the fragile, fiercely beautiful whole." We do need each other.
Peace to you in this New Year in all your travels.
An online friend of mine -- not asian but very steeped in Taoist arts -- has studied Chinese astrology and applies it's principles to individuals. I agree that a lot of superficial fortune telling based solely on the sign of one's birth year is a bunch of hokum but, ya know -- baby, bathwater. It seems to me that my friend's in depth style of chart reading is a rich and storied art. It's your opinion that this is not a valid part of Chinese culture?
I would never say that any particular practice is not a "valid" part of a culture. I have no interest in cultural gatekeeping of that sort. My argument—both my understanding as well as my desire—is simply that the zodiac as well as Chinese tradition should not be seen or interpreted primarily through the lens of individualism. Of course plenty of Chinese people over the course of the centuries have done so. But communal harmony and collective good are, in theory, higher priorities in traditional Chinese culture.
I did not expect to find such a word in my inbox today! I love the zodiac idea of being in robust relationship as the ingredient for flourishing.
It was so great to read this since my Chinese New Year knowledge has basically come from paper menus in Chinese restaurants. I hope you have a blessed new year filled with all the desires of your heart.
Thank you for educating!
Jeff,
This brought such mixed emotions. Joy in the sharing of the dragon lore, grief in the family traditions as my father passed this year and so much with him, peace in the cadence of your words and truth telling.
A truly blessed New Year to you❤️
So lovely to read. Thank you Jeff
Thank you so much for these posts.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories about Zhou Enlai's thoughts on the zodiacs! I never know they are paired up and I like your connections of them to the balanced family and society, representing the Chinese philosophy. 龙年大吉！