In the latest episode of the WKTV Journal, we head over to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park to celebrate the work of artist Beverly Pepper. The Gardens has an exhibition of Pepper’s work, “Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper,” up through April 29.
Recently the Vietnamese community came together to celebrate Tet, the Vietnamese New Year and we spend some time with KDL Executive Director Lance Werner who talks about being named Michigan’s first Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal. Also in this newscast, LocalFirst’s Mieke Stroub talks about the Good for Grand Rapids campaign and the West Michigan Tourist Association’s Courtney Sheffer gives us some more tips and ideas on budget friendly places in West Michigan.
The WKTV Journal airs on WKTV Channel 25 Mondays at 9 p.m., Tuesdays at 7 p.m., and Fridays at 10 a.m.
Many local residents — as well as those around the world — will be celebrating the Vietnamese New Year, or set, this weekend. And by doing so, will usher in the year of the Dog. What are the meanings behind the Asian zodiac signs. Community member Adrian Dang offers us some insight.
The Asian Zodiac was originated in China unknown number of millennia ago. Some people believe that it came about during the Han’s Dynasty. Some folks call it “the Chinese Zodiac,” which is not inappropriate. Although the Chinese people invented it, much of Eurasia observes the Asian Zodic which includes such countries as Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is an astrological system or scheme to assign an animal sign to each year following the sequence of 12 animals. The 12 animal signs in proper sequence are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit/Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat Monkey Rooster, Dog, and Pig/Boar. For example: if this year is the year of the Rat, next year will be the Ox to follow the proper order.
There are 10 modifiers, let us call them Mods for lack of an accurate translated term, to prefix the signs. These Mods serve to modify the signs in much of the way an adjective modifies a noun. For example: a Canh Rat is different from a Tan Rat. The Mods are as follows in proper order: Canh, Tân, Nhâm, Quý, Giáp, Ất, Bính, Đinh, Mậu, Kỷ.
As the sign changes each year, the Mod also changes in the right sequence to give unique characteristics to the sign and the year under the subject sign. For example, if this year is Canh Rat, next year will be Tân Ox, the following year will be Nhâm Tiger, and so on and so forth… In a cycle of sixty (60) years, the same Mod and Sign will repeat again. For example: the year of 1960 was Canh Rat; We will see Canh Rat again in year 2020.
This 12-animal system is also employed to identify time of the day in 2-hour increments. The first time-period is the Rat Period beginning with 23:00 (or 11:00 PM) and ending at 00:59 (or 0:59 AM). Incidentally, the next time period is the Ox Period running from 1:00 AM until 2:59 AM. The last is the Pig Period from 9:00 pm TO 10:59 PM.
The Time Diagram
• Rat Period: 23:00 to 00:59. This is the time when Rats are most active in seeking food. Rats also have a different number of digits on front and hind legs, thus earning Rat the symbol of “turn over” or “new start”.
• Ox Period: 01:00 to 02:59. This is the time when Oxen begin to chew the cud slowly and comfortably.
• Tiger Period: 03:00 to 04:59. This is the time when Tigers hunt their prey more and show their ferocity.
• Rabbit/Cat Period: 05:00 to 06:59. This is the time when the Jade Rabbit is busy pounding herbal medicine on the Moon according to the tale.
• Dragon Period: 07:00 to 08:59. This is the time when Dragons are hovering in the sky to give rain.
• Snake Period: 09:00 to 10:59. This is the time when Snakes are leaving their caves.
• Horse Period: 11:00 to 12:59. This is the time when the sun is high overhead and while other animals are lying down for a rest, Horses are still standing.
• Goat Period: 13:00 to 14:59. This is the time when Goats eat grass and urinate frequently.
• Monkey Period: 15:00 to 16:59. This is the time when Monkeys are lively.
• Rooster Period: 17:00 to 18:59. This is the time when Roosters begin to get back to their coops.
• Dog Period: 19:00 to 20:59. This is the time when Dogs carry out their duty of guarding the houses.
• Pig Period: 21:00 to 22:59. This is the time when Pigs are sleeping sweetly.
This system is also assigned to seasons of the year.
Spring: Tiger, Rabbit/Cat, and Dragon.
Summer: Snake, Horse, and Goat.
Autumn: Monkey, Rooster, and Dog.
Winter: Pig/Boar, Rat, and Ox.
The Asian Zodiac signs also serve to determine directions and bearings on the compass.
Astrologer with knowledge of both the Western and Eastern Zodiacs sometimes match them together to decipher a person’s future or the outcome of an event or situation with more details. They also attempt to match the signs of the Asian Zodiac with the signs of the Western Zodiac.
Each sign has its own characteristics and personality that may affect the people born under it. The details of a person’s personalities and his/her pre-conceived destiny would depend on many other aspects such as exact time of birth and positions of satellite planets, and the like. This article does not focus on horoscope; the author intends solely to share overall information about the Asian Zodiac.
There are four groups of signs that are similar in characteristics who are, therefore, compatible. These groups are also known as “trines.” These signs are the fourth slot from each other as we go around the circular pattern of the Zodiac. For example: the Rat – – – the Dragon – – – the Monkey would be in the same trine.
The First Trine: includes the Rat, the Dragon, and the Monkey. The signs in this trine are believe to be powerful, intelligent, dynamic, charismatic, authoritative, manipulative, persuasive, and confident; they make great leaders. On the softer side, these signs can be artistic, charming, magnanimous, and jealous.
The Second Trine: consists of the Ox, the Snake, and the Rooster. The characteristics of the signs in this group show energy, endurance, energy. They are detailed oriented, meticulous in planning, but they tend to be opinionated. These signs are intelligent, diligent, industrious, philosophical, egoistical, vain, judgmental and narrow or small-minded. On the soft side, they can be good-hearted, modest, morally sound, and loyal.
The Third Trine: has the Tiger, the Horse, and the Dog. The three signs in this trine tend to seek true love, humanitarian causes; they try to be idealistic in their own ways. These signs are independent, engaging, dynamic, honorable, loyal where they choose to be; they are sometimes overly protective of their loved ones to the point of being dictatorial and controlling. On the more unfavorable side, these signs may be rash, argumentative, quarrelsome, nervous, disagreeable and/or stubborn.
The Fourth Trine: includes the Rabbit/Cat, Goat and Pig/Boar. The three signs of this trine are believed to be calm in nature; they have a somewhat reasonable approach. They are artistic and seek beautiful things. They possess good manners and are compassionate, yet they may be detached and resigned to their condition. These signs are obliging, caring, self-sacrificing, sensible, empathetic, tactful and prudent. On the negative side, people under the signs of this trine may be naïve, inflexible, insecure, selfish indecisive, or pessimistic.
There are also three groups of four signs that are incompatible. Any two signs that are opposite of each other on the chart would be highly incompatible. The other two signs in the foursome are also not compatible, but they do not clash seriously as the two opposites. For example: the Rat is directly across the chart from the Horse; these two do not get along and are not kind to one another. The Rabbit/Cat and the Rooster are also in the same group of four signs; they are not compatible to the Rat and the Horse but not grave as the Rat vs the Horse.
Compatibility does not only mean personality clash. It may also mean that the people under these signs may experience one or more, or all of the following. They:
• Cannot stand each other’s personalities.
• Cannot reside together.
• Cannot do things together such as running business or sharing a project.
• Cannot be married.
• Cannot go into investment together, including gambling together, bad luck!
• Cannot have mutual agreement, cannot have a peaceful conversation.
The First Incompatible Quartet: This group include the Rat, the Horse, the Rabbit/Cat, and the Rooster. The Rat is the opposite of the Horse, and the Rabbit/Cat is the opposite of the Rooster.
The Second Incompatible Quartet: This group include the Tiger, the Monkey, the Snake, and the Pig/Boar. The Tiger is the opposite of the Monkey, and the Snake is the opposite of the Pig/Boar.
The Third Incompatible Quartet: This group include the Ox, the Goat, the Dragon, and the Dog. The Ox is the opposite of the Goat, and the Dragon is the opposite of the Dog.
Áo Dài is the name of a dress that is not only traditional in the Vietnamese culture; it has been deemed the Vietnamese National Dress. Although the design is not unisex; it does offer a female and a male version. The female Áo Dài is more form fitting and the men wear their version of Áo Dài in a loose fashion.
There is no reliable record of exactly when the design and introduction of Áo Dài to the populace occurred. It is believed that Áo Dài came into existence in the 1920s. It bears vague resemblance to the Chinese Xường Xám. However, it is neither a copy of the Xường Xám dress, nor is it a derivative of this dress in any way. The Áo Dài is as ethnically Vietnamese as it can be.
The design of the lady’s Áo Dài hugs the body with delicate fabrics. People use thin, flowing fabrics to make every day Áo Dài. For formal events and occasions, the employment of fabrics would lean toward fancier varieties such as silk or velour. Áo Dài is best described as a tunic with a full coverage from the neck down to the waist. Then it splits on both sides at the waist revealing a tiny bit of bare skin, and it gives way to a front and back flap or tab. The original Áo Dài had an old-fashioned tall and formal looking collar. Later on, designers introduced other neck arrangements such as square, low cut oval necks, etc. The sleeves were straight and slim in the beginning. Now we see flared sleeves, puffy sleeves at the top of the arms, tapered sleeves, and other designs. The front and rear tabs also change back and forth in lengths. Many people still stick to the classic design of Áo Dài because it is pretty and timeless. Áo Dài were mostly plain in single color in the olden days. Nowadays, Áo Dài are more colorful with embroidery, prints, hand-painted artwork on them. They now come in many more colors as compared to the past. Originally, women wore Áo Dài with black or white pants made of satin or silk. In modern days, colorful Áo Dài may be worn with pants in matching or contrasting colors. The pants, in any case, must not overpower the dress with their colors or designs. The entire outfit also looks good with high heels. There are also headgears to compliment different styles of Áo Dài. The simplest one is the cone-shaped hat made of woven dried leaves. The fancier headwear to go with Áo Dài would be like a queen’s crown. The hair wraps in velvet of different colors are also pretty and popular, especially in North Vietnam. There is also a variety of other headwear more associated with an occupation such as a wide-brim hat that used to be worn by performing artists.
The Áo Dài has been the Vietnamese National Dress for a century; therefore, many public all-girls high schools mandate that students wear Áo Dài as the school uniform. The Áo Dài uniform is usually white with the small school’s insignia sewn on near the neck. There are also schools that adopt blue or purple-colored Áo Dài as their uniforms.
The men’s Áo Dài comes generally in two styles: the fancy style and the diplomatic style. The fancy style is tailored using rich fabrics such as thicker silks. The men’s Áo Dài also looks like a tunic with front and back flaps or tabs. These garments are tailored to be worn more loosely over the body. This style would be a touch colorful, but not quite as colorful as the lady’s Áo Dài can be. The common colors are blue, gold, burgundy, and sometimes purple. They usually have embroidered or printed round gold or silver seals on them. The diplomats and government officials prefer the diplomatic style. This style is always black in color. The thinner, veil or mesh-like fabrics are employed here. The see-though diplomatic men’s Áo Dài is worn over a white underlying suit. Men would wear the diplomatic-style Áo Dài to work in governmental offices, to go to formal meetings, or to visit higher-ranking officers. Even scholars and teachers like to wear this style at any given time. The fancy-style Áo Dài is worn during big fancy events like New Year, weddings, parties, holidays, etc. In the modern day, Vietnamese men do not wear Áo Dài as readily on a normal day as women would. They save their Áo Dài for special occasions. To be properly dressed, a men’s Áo Dài would not be complete without the matching headwear to accompany it. The men’s headwear would resemble the women’s formal headgear that comes with their Áo Dài. However, playful men wear Áo Dài without the hat to show a little bit of a carefree attitude.
To the eyes of the non-Vietnamese observers, Áo Dài may appear to be pretty, interesting, or even weird. Much of it really depends on who tailored the outfit, and who is wearing it. Just like any kind of attire from any part of the world, fashion’s positive or negative is owed very much to the designer and who wears it, and how it is presented to the judging public. The best traits of the design have to be properly exhibited. We have very good looking Áo Dài-clad people, and a few not so impressive Áo Dài wearers. To be fair, please attend a sizeable Vietnamese gathering where one has the opportunity to see many Áo Dài floating around and arrive at your own judgments. Nevertheless, we know now when we see Áo Dài out there in public. It is a Vietnamese design, and the Vietnamese folks are downright proud of it for a century to this date! If you like what you see, perhaps you should have one made for yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Students wearing áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese outfit.
By Adrian Ɖặng Bảo Oánh
It is about Tết’s time again. This time, the Lunar New Year will fall on January 28on the western calendar. Being true and loyal to their traditions, Asians who observe the lunar calendar are busy preparing to celebrate their upcoming New Year. Individual ethnic groups from various Asian-American communities are planning celebrations of all sorts and sizes to welcome the new Year of the Rooster. The current Year of the Monkey is ending soon. Each year of the lunar calendar carries the sign of one of the twelve Asian Zodiac animals in proper sequence. The animal-based signs are: the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Cat (or Rabbit), the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig. Although there are many similarities, this article will focus more specifically on the Vietnamese way of celebrating the New Year, which they call Tết
People set off firecrackers to chase away any old evil spirits leaving the remains in their home. (Photo from author.)
The proper celebration, in general, involves many aspects to be prepared for. People make certain that their homes are cleaned and repaired to their tip top shapes. Many folks repaint their homes from the inside out to welcome the new year. There are many chores in food preparations to offer the best dishes during the celebration of Tết. The food preparation must start several weeks ahead to finish in time for Tết. The prominent offerings would be bánh chưng (sticky-rice cake), bánh dày (white rice dumpling), and many kinds of sweet goods which consist mostly of candied fruits). The rice cake, square and blocky in shape would represent the earth (the world was thought to be square), and the round rice dumpling would represent the sky or the heavens according to Vietnamese legends and tradition. The Vietnamese people offer these two baked items to honor the creator of all things, the divine God. Everybody should acquire new clothes and wear them during the first three days of the new year. This practice shows respect for the new year; it also shows pride and bring good luck. Poorer families try to tailor their own new outfits if they could not afford to buy new.
The Vietnamese áo dài is the preferred attire during Tết time. It is as traditionally and nationally “Vietnamese” as one can get. It is a tunic that was designed circa 1920. There is a male and a female version of the traditional áo dài. The men’s áo dài is worn more loosely in more subtle colors while the lady’s áo dài is more form fitting, and it comes in more vibrant colors and derivative options. It neatly enhances and shows off the beautiful shape of the female’s body while it is quietly elegant but not revealing at all. The áo dài has been around for about a century, and it is still popular. Its original design has not really changed much. Now that we have more Vietnamese people residing all over the world, women from many countries are taking to wearing áo dài also. American women from all heritages look really good in Vietnamese áo dài. Between the food and the new clothes alone, Tết may get to be very expensive. It is not uncommon for some families to go into debts after the Tết celebration. People actually borrow money to celebrate Tết “properly.”
A more formal styling of áo dài.
In modern time, people keep the festivities down to three days. In the past, it could last as long as three months in some parts of the world. People respectfully usher the current year “out” and joyously welcome the new year “in.” People set off firecrackers to chase away any old evil spirits from the last year that are still lingering around, and firecrackers also keep new bad spirits from attempting to enter. The artful dragon dance also serves a similar purpose: it chases away bad spirits and brings good fortunes.
The first day of Tết is the most important day. It is reserved for the closest and highest ranking family members. Lower ranks would go to higher members, usually elders, to show respect and extend to them the best wishes for the new year. In return, the high-ranking family members would wish the visiting members well and hand out “lucky money” in beautiful little envelopes (usually red in color). Folks would visit extended family members and close friends on the second day of Tết. On the third day, they go to other friends and acquaintances.
Every year, the Jade Emperor (or the Divine God) would send a different “supervisor” or observer to each household to observe, record, and make a report at the end of the year. Each event that occurs within the household will be reported to God. This character always resides in the kitchen to watch over everything that goes on in the dwelling. On the twenty-third day of the twelth month (12/23), every residence would arrange a ceremony to send off the current year’s “Kitchen God.” By tradition, and according to the ancient legend, this god rides back to heaven on a carp (fish). Therefore each household would provide a nice-size live carp in a water container, the like of a kid’s plastic splashing pool, for the reporting god to use as transportation back to heaven. Upon arriving in heaven, the Kitchen God will report to the Jade Emperor the year’s worth of occurrences within the residence off a long scroll of paper. The Kitchen God kneels down in front of the Jade Emperor and reads the report in a very poetic and rhythmic way. At the turn of the year, the Jade Emperor will send a newly assigned Kitchen God to each household again for the following year. “Clear for taxi to runway 2017 and hold short until 12/23”. “Clear for takeoff at midnight 12/22 and proceed on course”. “Roger that!.” And off he will go, accurate to the split of a second. Have you ever seen a carp taking off flying at more than light speed?
The Monkey brought with him many interesting things. The nature of the Monkey was, well…to monkey around. He brought us some good events. He also brought us some questionable events. And true to being a “Curious George,” he has sprung some quite peculiar events on us before he would leave us alone and let the Rooster take over. However, we must be thankful for the Monkey, but it’s time for him to go. Happy New Year of the Rooster. May all be blessed with good health, and may all your wishes come true.
Most of Asia observes the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon as compared to the Western solar calendar. The celebration of the lunar New Year is perhaps the single most important and prominent event over much of Asia. Western folks sometimes mistakenly call it the “Chinese New Year” for lack of knowledge. The Vietnamese folks call it “Tết”.
Each year carries the sign of one of the animals in the “Asian Zodiac”. These twelve animals, in proper sequence, are: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the cat (also called the rabbit in some countries), the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat (or ram), the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig. Year 2016 carries the sign of the MONKEY!
Since the lunar calendar staggers a bit when compared to the solar calendar, the lunar New Year usually falls into the late January or early February timeframe of our Western Calendar. In much of Asia, this would mark the beginning of spring time and, quite appropriately, the beginning of a new year, a new beginning.
In the modern days, people who observe the lunar New Year would limit their celebration to three days due to their busy schedules. There are still some quaint villages in Asia where people would celebrate New Year for as long as three months, in extreme cases. However, the first day is always the most important.
There are many aspects of the lunar New Year celebration. The Asian people politely usher the ending year “out”; then they respectfully and joyously welcome the new year “in”.
Starting a week before New Year’s eve, each household performs the ritual of sending off the kitchen gods back to heaven to report the year’s worth of happenings to the Jade Emperor (the divine God).
During New Year, we can really feel the seasonal change in the climate; it truly feels like a new beginning. The buds and new leaves are sprouting on trees and plants. The birds start laying eggs and animals give birth to young ones. People also join in and celebrate with the rest of nature.
Spiritually, it is time to look back and commemorate the family ancestors. Each person also reflects upon himself/herself to recognize the negative things and mistakes during the departed year to improve upon or get rid of, and he/she solemnly makes resolutions for the entire upcoming year. It is also time to revisit religious beliefs in each individual.
During Tết’s time, lower ranking family members traditionally go to all of the older or higher ranking members and present them with good wishes for the new year. In return, older folks will hand out “lucky money” in beautiful little red envelopes and also wish the younger members well. This tradition is also extended outside of the family to show respect, fondness and thoughtfulness to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.
The first person who enters any home after the turn of the year is believed to bring his/her good or bad luck into that home. Residents of each home are very careful about who shall be the first person to set foot into their home. People really avoid sad or unlucky subjects during this special time of the year.
For celebration, there are usually plenty of food and beverages of the best varieties. People set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. The dragon dances also serve to bring luck and chase off any evil spirit from the last year. There are games that are reserved mostly for New Years time. There are also cultural shows in the performing arts discipline that are presented almost only during Tết’s time.
Happy Year of the Monkey. May you have tranquility in all aspects of your lives, and may all your wishes come true!
Many local residents — as well as those around the world — will be celebrating the Vietnamese New Year, or set, this weekend. And by doing so, will usher in the year of the Dog. What are the meanings behind the Asian zodiac signs. Community member Adrian Dang offers us some insight.
