Year of the Pig

There’s not a lot to be said about this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations; perhaps it’s because it’s the Year of the Pig. As most institutions associate pigs with greed; very little has been said of it, though in news reports there’s been videos of children in traditional Chinese dress throwing food into the air. Perhaps it’s a feat that they don’t really want to publicise; after all their very characteristics of a pig defines them as someone who has small, enclosed social circles. And perhaps it’s these animal characteristics that dominate their country’s behaviour throughout the rest of the year, as perhaps they nominate people with these characteristics. Others may be less fortunate in their roles; which may explain some odd decisions. But why do the Chinese celebrate their New Year a month later than the rest of the planet? Is it to dominate their country over others or is it an excuse to reject other cultures?