The netsuke chosen to represent 2017 is a rooster in stained boxwood, inlaid eyes, early nineteenth century, unsigned, property of Robert S. Huthart, Hong Kong
The Chinese do not place too much importance on the Rooster as they do on a number of the other zodiac animals.
It is nevertheless said that the Rooster can get into a human being in order to impose good or evil things on mankind.
The Rooster is also a symbol that is found in formal gardens; censored fights were held and enjoyed as early as 500 years ago.
As the 10th animal in the Eastern Zodiac, the Rooster indicates the hours between 5 pm and 7 pm. It is the counterpart of the Hare.
Actually, the lunar calendar begins on January 28, 2017 so anybody born till then is rightfully still born in the year of the monkey. For practical reasons, however, most people use the calendar year to decide under which zodiac sign they were born. It ends on February15, 2018. In the past Century, Rooster years were 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005.
Best wishes for a great Year of the Rooster to all readers!
Both Uschi and Willi wish you a wonderful spring and summer season with lots of fun, happiness, good health and some great relaxation or a vacation with friends and/or family. For our 2017 Newsletter, it should be ready around mid-December 2017 right here.
By the way, if you would like to read the contents of all the pages in smaller or bigger characters, it is very simple: go to View, Text size and choose your preferred size. That is all it takes – try it!