Ox year,Chinese New Year 2009

Today marks the beginning of the year of the ox in the Chinese lunar calendar, kicking off a 15-day celebration in China and around the globe.

Around Sarasota, most of the celebrations were truncated into two days over the weekend.

The new year celebration, during which ethnic Chinese and sinophiles -- people who admire and study Chinese culture -- gather to watch dragon dances, eat specially prepared food and visit with family, heralds a year that is expected to bring hope and prosperity.

The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals that, as legend has it, responded to an invitation from the Buddha to meet him on the new year.

All the animals were invited, but only 12 came, and Buddha named a year after each.

Those born in a specific animal's year are believed to possess the traits of that animal.

The ox is a symbol of prosperity, fortitude and hard work.

People born during ox years are said to be stubborn in the face of adversity, dependable, patient and methodical.

President Barack Obama, who was born in 1961, is an ox.

Meanwhile in China, the New Year and Spring Festival last for more than two weeks and include an array of parades, lantern festivals, fireworks and feasts.

Always, the festivities celebrate the zodiac sign of the coming year. The coming year is the year of the ox. People born in the year of the ox are strong, confident, quiet and reliable. Coincidentally, President Obama is an ox.

Dragons are another zodiac sign, the most desirable in fact, since they are thought to bring luck and prosperity and are considered by the Chinese to be one of the highest forms of divinity. Dragons are incorporated into every New Year’s celebration, with hand-crafted dragons up to 100 feet long paraded down Chinese streets.

The museum event incorporated Chinese cultural events, including a brush-painting demonstration and a Tai Chi lesson.

Tai Chi, a slow-moving Chinese martial art usually practiced for its health benefits, is good for people of any age, said Mike Shontz of Bozeman, a Tai Chi devotee. He said its principle of balance is especially important here in Montana, since it helps young and old with everything from walking on ice to hiking.

The event was largely organized and made possible due to help from a wide array of volunteers, including a team of RSVP retirees who decorated and supervised, Denson-Guy said.

“All these different people contributed to make this a great event,” she said.

CHINESE ZODIAC'S ANIMALS

The signs, their traits and recent years they have ruled.

Rat: quick-witted, clever, charming
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Ox: steadfast, solid, hard-working
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

Tiger: authoritative, self-possessed, charming
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Rabbit: popular, compassionate, sincere
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Dragon: energetic, warm-hearted, charismatic
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Snake: seductive, gregarious, generous
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Horse: energetic, self-reliant, money-wise
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Goat: creative, wandering, unorganized
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Monkey: upbeat, good at listening, lacking self-control
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Rooster: practical, resourceful, observant
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Dog: faithful, honest, distrustful
1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Pig: extremely nice, good-mannered and tasteful
1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007