2022 Year of the Water Tiger Lowdown

Calling all you tigers out there! This is your year! On February 1, 2022 you can say say so long to the Year of the Ox and welcome in the year of the tiger. I once worked with a tiger and he was not pleasant to be around. However, my dear friend Jeff is also a tiger and he roars gently. Wondering if you are a tiger or know someone who is? Tiger birth years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010

People born in late January or early February are on the cusp and ought to consult the lunar zodiac calendar for your birth year. If you are Asian, your parents probably know what sign you are and can supplement with details. For example, my mother remembers the day I was born as her little monkey on February 9, 1969. That day marked the tail end of the year of the monkey -- curious, smart trouble makers -- and the beginning of the year of the rooster -- fashion conscious good cooks. I have a little bit of both animals in me.

Tiger Personalities

For anyone born in the year of the Water Tiger, consider this from Laura Lau, the co-author of The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, in a Los Angeles Times article: "Tiger years have the potential to be explosive." However, because the water element marks the year too, the water tiger is less aggressive, and more open-minded, she said.

The tiger is among the most dynamic signs in the Chinese zodiac. The King/Queen of the Jungle sports stripes to symbolize the balance between yin and yang. Lau also described people born in the Year of the Tiger as "powerful, rebellious, dynamic, adventurous, fiery, impulsive and unpredictable. Tigers also typically have strong ethics, so they’re very passionate about causes."

Tigers make good leaders but they can be stubborn if they realize they’re not in charge. Some say that they lean toward being selfish but are overall very generous. Tigers keep themselves on alert and are smart, full of charm and thus well-liked. They can seem like quiet homebodies but suddenly change direction and pack up to head to some far-flung place. For that reason, Tigers can seem irresponsible and reckless. Some say that that perception is because there aren’t many other signs that can keep up with the Tiger’s stamina and quick thinking.

An old family friend is expecting a baby girl in the Year of the Tiger. In the past, female tigers were thought to be too aggressive, forces of nature that are reliable but unpredictable, fearless but sweet, tender and loving too. But that may have changed with the notion of Tiger Moms and well, what's wrong with a strong woman?! Our friend has been wanting to start a family for a long time and whether she has a Bull/Ox or Tigress, she'll be well loved. Much of Chinese astrology is about balance.

Celebrity Tigers

After reading the above tiger traits, compare and contrast what you know or think of these people: Emily Bronte, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jay Leno, Karl Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter, Queen Elizabeth II, Jon Stewart. (Sorry, Tiger Woods was born in December 1975.)

Lunar New Year Foods

First off, realize that you can celebrate Lunar New Year all during the month of February! On my menus are a lot of traditional Viet Tet foods, especially banh chung sticky rice cakes. We make the cakes but since most people buy them, here's a post on banh chung basics along with some easy recipes for help you welcome the year with a ROAR! Additionally, you may consider adding Thai Crying Tiger grilled beef (below) to emphasize the tiger theme. It's a sensational recipe that would go well with the Viet fare. Or, do something with duck, dumpling and/or crispy daikon radish cakes.

Oh, how about serving Chinese peanut cookies, coconut and peanut mochi balls, or Belinda's divine almond cookies for a lush Lunar New Year dessert spread? Add some fresh tangerines, or better yet candied kumquats or candied orange peels. The homemade sweets and sweet meats keep marvelously well.