Hi, my name is Mojca. I am from Slovenia in Europe and I and I work as a student advisor at our Shanghai school.Chinese Zodiacs: Year of the Dog 🐕 Pawsitive or Ruff Times Ahead?
Unleash the Qualities, Cultural Meaning, and Fascinating Feng Shui Traditions of the Year of the Dog
Today, we’re exploring the intriguing aspects of the Year of the Dog 狗年 (gǒu nián).
The Year of the Dog is the 11th in the Chinese Zodiac cycle and the next one will be in 2030.
🐕 Dogs are loyal, protective, and known for their strong sense of duty.
In this blog, we will delve into the origins, personality traits, compatibility, and cultural importance associated with this beloved zodiac sign.
Years of the Dog include:
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Year of the Dog || A Brief Origin Story
Year of the Dog || Meaning in Chinese Culture
Year of the Dog || Personality Traits and Characteristics
Year of the Dog || In Friendships, Relationships, and Work
Year of the Dog || Celebrities
Year of the Dog || Symbolism in Feng Shui
Year of the Dog || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Year of the Dog || Naming Year of the Dog Children
Year of the Dog || Dog in Chinese Language
Year of the Dog || FAQs
Year of the Dog || A Brief Origin Story
In the Great Zodiac Race, the Dog was an enthusiastic and strong contender.
However, while others were rushing to the finish line, the Dog got distracted. It is playful, so it stopped to bathe in the cool river. After it felt refreshed, the Dog continued but ended up in 11th place.
This story reflects the Dog’s personality: He is dutiful and brave. But he can get sidetracked by simple joys.
Year of the Dog || Meaning in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, dogs symbolize loyalty and protection. They are seen as faithful companions and guardians.
People admire them for their unwavering loyalty and courage.
In many rural families, each household would have a family dog, usually a local breed. These local Chinese breeds are considered smart and loyal, even though they don’t have the features of more expensive breeds.
On the other hand, the character for “dog” ( 狗 gǒu) can have negative connotations in some contexts. It might be used in a derogatory sense, implying inferiority or low status.
Overall, dogs are respected and valued. They guard homes and families with their devoted responsibility and loyalty.
Year of the Dog || Personality Traits and Characteristics
People born in the Year of the Dog are known for their loyalty, honesty, and strong sense of responsibility.
They are reliable and protective. They always defend what is right and their loved ones.
People born under this Chinese zodiac are deeply caring and intuitive. They dedicate themselves fully to causes that align with their beliefs. They often put others’ needs above their own.
Although cautious and slow to trust, they make devoted partners and friends.
They have a solid moral compass and are dedicated to what they do. That makes them dependable in any situation. But sometimes they intend to worry too much because of that.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Ox 🐂 (A Complete Guide)
The Year of the Ox 🐂 Everything You Need to Know || Luck, Culture and Compatibility In this 12-part blog post series, we’re taking you on a tour of the different Chinese zodiac animals. From what they represent to how…
Year of the Dog || In Friendships, Relationships, and Work
The Dog Zodiac in Friendship
People born in the Year of the Dog are loyal and supportive friends. They are the ones you can count on when times get tough and need someone to listen to you.
Dogs are great listeners and are always ready to offer practical advice. They value deep connections and are incredibly protective of their friends.
However, they can be reserved occasionally. It takes time for them to open up fully. Dogs usually prefer a small, close-knit group of friends.
Does this sound like anyone you know born in the year of the dog? Let us know in the comments section!
The Dog Zodiac in Relationships
Dogs people are devoted and trustworthy partners in relationships. They genuinely care for their loved ones and will go to great lengths to make them feel safe and cherished.
However, dogs’ tendency to worry can sometimes make their love partners feel overprotected. Dogs appreciate honesty and expect the same in return.
Dogs are likely more compatible with people born in the Year of the Rabbit, Tiger, and Horse. 💖
The Dog Zodiac At Work
At work, Dogs are diligent and hardworking. They take their responsibilities seriously and are excellent team players.
Dogs people have a strong sense of justice, so they thrive in roles that raise for fairness and integrity.
They are natural problem solvers. They are often the voice of reason in tough situations.
Dogs people usually work well with Tiger, Rabbit, and Horse signs, who appreciate their dedication at work.
Year of the Dog || Celebrities
Here’s a list of celebrities born in the Year of the Dog. Do you think they embody the traits of the Dog sign described above?
Michael Jackson: 1958
Madonna: 1958
Bill Clinton: 1946
Elvis Presley: 1935
Justin Bieber: 1994
David Bowie: 1947
Year of the Dog || Symbolism in Feng Shui
In Feng Shui, dogs are significant symbols of protection and loyalty. They play an important role in maintaining harmony and protection in Feng Shui practices.
Fu Dogs (Imperial Guardian Lions) are usually a pair of stone statues placed at the entrance of homes or offices. People believe that they help ward off negative energy and protect the space.
The Fu Dogs statues must be positioned correctly to enhance security and peace.
To improve Feng Shui in relationships, place a dog figurine in the Southwest corner. It can strengthen bonding between partners.
Additionally, a dog statue in the Southeast wealth corner can help safeguard your financial prosperity.
Chinese Zodiacs || Year of the Rat (A Complete Guide)
The rat symbolises fresh beginnings in Chinese culture. The Year of the Rat is considered the perfect time to pursue new opportunities and start afresh.
Year of the Dog || Lucky and Unlucky Symbols
Lucky Symbols for the Year of the Dog
| Lucky Numbers | 3 and 9. For a Dog, 3 represents creativity, and 9 symbolizes completeness and the highest level of achievement. |
| Lucky Colors | Red, Green, and Purple. Red symbolizes prosperity and joy. Green represents growth and harmony. Purple symbolizes wisdom and dignity. |
| Lucky Flowers | Rose and Oncidium. The Rose symbolizes love and passion, while the Oncidium represents beauty and elegance. |
Unlucky Symbols for the Year of the Dog
If you’re born in the year of the dog, you want to make sure you’re barking up the right tree and none of the unlucky ones!
Here’s some things to avoid:
| Unlucky Numbers | 1 and 6 |
| Unlucky Colors | Blue and White |
| Unlucky Direction | East |
Year of the Dog || Naming Year of the Dog Children
If you have a baby born in the Year of the Dog, these are some characters that embody the great virtues of the Dog Zodiac sign.
忠 (zhōng) – Means “loyalty.” It embodies the Dog’s most celebrated trait and is a suitable choice for a name.
勇 (yǒng) – Means “courage.” It reflects the brave and protective nature of the Dog. It wishes for a fearless spirit in the child.
慧 (huì) – Means “wisdom.” It symbolizes the intelligent and thoughtful qualities of a dog person.
仁 (rén) – Means “benevolence.” It reflects the kind and caring side of the Dog. It wishes for a compassionate heart in the child.
Do you have a Chinese name already? If not, we’ve got you covered. Fill in our Chinese Name Generator, and we’ll select one for you!
Year of the Dog || Dog in Chinese Language
Even though dogs are strongly associated with loyal guardians, in many ancient idioms, they are also used to describe someone in a degrading way.
狗急跳墙
(gǒu jí tiào qiáng) – “A dog in desperation will jump over a wall”
It describes someone who might take desperate measures in extreme situations.
狗仗人势
(gǒu zhàng rén shì) – “A dog threatens based on its master’s power”
This idiom describes someone who bullies others by relying on their host’s authority.
狐朋狗友
(hú péng gǒu yǒu) – “Friends like foxes and dogs”
It refers to a group of untrustworthy friends, as dogs and foxes are often referred to as sneaky and mischievous characters.
看家狗
(kàn jiā gǒu) – “Guard dog”
This phrase has some mixed meanings. On one side, it’s used to describe someone who’s reliable and protective, but it also has the connotation of someone who is just the guard of a home and doesn’t have a real status.
Year of the Dog || FAQs
How did the Dog end up in 11th place in the Great Zodiac Race?
The Dog got distracted and stopped to enjoy a refreshing bath during the race. After the refreshing bath, it eventually continued and secured the 11th position.
What personality traits are common among people born in the Year of the Dog?
People born in the Year of the Dog are loyal, honest, and protective. They are dependable friend and partners who often put others’ needs above their own.
What are some lucky symbols for people born in the Year of the Dog?
Lucky symbols for Dogs include the numbers 3 and 9 and the colors of red, green, and purple.
Are there any celebrities born in the Year of the Dog?
Yes, Michael Jackson (1958), Madonna (1958), and Justin Bieber (1994) are born in the Year of the Dog.
How is the Dog represented in the Chinese language?
In Chinese Feng Shui, dogs symbolize loyal guardians for peace and prosperity. However, in some Chinese idioms, the dog sign also has a degrading connotation when it refers to someone of low status.
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