Happy Lunar New Year!
We’re ushering in the year of the Metal Ox, which will run from February 12th to January 31st, 2022. Read on to see what this new phase could mean for you and how to welcome your best luck this year.
What is the Lunar Calendar and Chinese Zodiac?
The Lunar Calendar is a lunisolar calendar based on the Sun’s position in the sky and the phases of the moon. This ancient calendar dates back to the 14th Century BCE (our current calendar wasn’t introduced until 1582!)
There are twelve zodiac signs celebrated in Chinese astrology, each decided by the year you were born. They include: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Depending on the year, the zodiac signs also cycle through five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. 2021 is the year of the Metal Ox, and will be followed by the Water Tiger in 2022.
What to Expect in the Year of the Metal Ox
The Ox is considered the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac. According to one legend, the Jade Emperor said the order of the animals would be decided by when they arrived to his party. In the race to the event, the Ox was actually originally in first place, but was tricked by the Rat, who rode on his back and ended up first instead.
The Ox is considered a very industrious and methodical creature, so this year is all about reaping rewards for your hard work! Luck and success will come to those with a plan, and most importantly, the fortitude and resilience to see it through one step at a time. If you’ve had goals you haven’t been able to conquer just yet, mastering them with a tried-and-true routine will be the name of the game (think: setting aside a specific day of the week or time of the day for particular tasks.)
Since 2021 will be ruled by the element of Metal, precious metals will continue to steal the spotlight! They’ll likely continue to rise in value, and wearing jewellery is said to even increase your luck (um yes, please!)
Oxen are often paired together, so the Year of the Ox is also a wonderful time to meet your ideal match, and/or focus on your current partner and family, in general. Think about how you increase romantic gestures and create soft and lovely experiences for those around you, à la Ferdinand the Bull grazing in his field of beautiful flowers. Those who are planning to tie the knot this year are also said to welcome durable and happy marriages!
How to Increase Your Luck During Year of the Ox
While the signs that are expected to be especially lucky this year include the Rat, Snake, Dragon and Pig, everyone can increase their overall luck with lucky charms and various rituals to welcome the Lunar New Year the evening of Thursday, February 11th. Some favourite routines include those which will welcome good luck and energy into your home, such as cleaning your house, washing your hair, wearing new pajamas or underwear that evening, enjoying an abundant meal and decorating with lucky red or gold charms and flowers. Wearing Jade is always auspicious, but wearing lucky gems associated with your zodiac sign can also usher in some extra lucky stars:
Rat
Born: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Lucky Gemstone: Garnet
Those born in the year of the Rat are considered intelligent, ambitious and charming. Wearing Garnets, with their deep and passionate red hue can help Rats to stay grounded in the realm of love, loyalty and good health.
Ox
Born: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Lucky Gemstone: Aquamarine, Tiger’s Eye
As mentioned, Oxen are known for their diligence and patience. While the colour blue is considered especially lucky this year, Aquamarines can also cultivate peace of mind in the hard-working and sometimes stubborn Ox. Tiger’s Eye can also help with opening the mind and furthering their communication skills.
Shop:
0.90 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Three Stone Ring, £1395.
1.25 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Halo Necklace, £895.
12.54 Carat Aquamarine and Diamond Ring in 18ct White Gold, £6295.
Tiger
Born: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Lucky Gemstone: Sapphire
Tigers are confident, dynamic leaders who don’t mind taking risks. Sapphires can fortify their wisdom and strength and help to weed out any unnecessary distractions on their road to success.
Shop:
1.30 Carat Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, £2150.
1.75 Carat Blue Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, £3195.
13 Carat Unheated Blue Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring, £29995.
Rabbit
Born: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Lucky Gemstone: Pearl
Just as one might imagine, Rabbits are gentle, warm-hearted people who approach most situations with an innocent and diplomatic point of view. Pearls perfectly represent and enforce their purity and gentle approach in all facets of life.
Shop:
Pearl and Diamond Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold, £2295.
Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings in 14ct White Gold, £2150.
Dragon
Born: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Lucky Gemstone: Amethyst
Dragons are extremely lucky symbols in Chinese culture and represent power, success and leadership. Amethyst’s purple hue can help ensure the Dragon’s strong attributes stay balanced and don’t get out of control.
Shop:
4 Carat Amethyst and Rose-Cut Diamond Ring, £1095.
20 Carat Amethyst and Pearl Ring in Yellow Gold, £1695.
Snake
Born: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Lucky Gemstone: Opal
While seemingly threatening, Snakes are actually quite friendly and are especially known for their passion. Opal’s many colours and smooth lustre can further enhance their creativity and overall harmony in life and relationships.
Horse
Born: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Lucky Gemstone: Topaz
Horses of the Chinese Zodiac are known for being attractive and true magnets in any social setting. Topaz can help them build courage and endurance to follow through with any situation in order to find success.
Shop:
White and Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring in Sterling Silver, £245.
Vintage Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring in Yellow Gold, £595.
Sheep
Born: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Lucky Gemstone: Emerald
The sheep is calm and tranquil and can bring peace and balance to almost any situation. Emeralds further promote overall harmony, while also increasing their charm and social confidence.
Shop:
1.10 Carat Emerald and Diamond Compass Halo Ring, £1995.
2.00 CTW Emerald Stud Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold, £2395.
3.20 Carat Oval-Cut Emerald and Diamond Halo Ring, £8295.
Monkey
Born: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Lucky Gemstone: Peridot
Those born the year of the Monkey are the epitome of energy, confidence and mental prowess. Peridots can help maintain these positive attributes while keeping Monkey’s jealousy and arrogance at bay.
Shop:
Peridot and Chrome Diopside Ring in Sterling Silver, £245.
2.40 Carat Peridot and Diamond Halo Ring, £2395.
Rooster
Born: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Lucky Gemstone: Rose Quartz, Citrine
Roosters are social and quick-witted, and yet are quite happy operating solo. Rose quartz can help strengthen their interpersonal bonds and loving relationships with others. The wealth associated with Citrine can also help to increase the Rooster’s abundance.
Shop:
18.68 Carat Rose Quartz, Sapphire and Diamond Flower Ring, £2995.
25 Carat Citrine Ring in Yellow Gold, £895.
Vintage Moval Citrine Ring in Yellow Gold, £625.
Dog
Born: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Lucky Gemstone: Diamond
Those born in the year of the Dog are unsurprisingly known for their loyalty, honesty and solid friendships. The clarity, purity and unbreakable nature of Diamonds reinforces those qualities and can help ward off suspicious and short-tempered behaviour.
Shop:
2.50 CTW Diamond Drop Earrings in 18ct White Gold, £5995.
1.84 Carat Old Euro Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring in Platinum, £12995.
3.16 CTW Diamond Stud Earrings in 18ct White Gold, £14995.
Pig
Born: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Lucky Gemstone: Moonstone, Ruby
Pigs are an auspicious symbol of happiness and abundance in Chinese culture. Moonstones can help their inner growth while further inspiring their overall success, while Rubies build confidence and increase motivation and sexual energy.
Shop:
Ruby and Diamond Bracelet in 18ct Yellow Gold, £4495.
1.96 Carat No Heat Ruby and Diamond Ring, £6750.
French Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Necklace in Platinum, £6995.