From Dragon to Rabbit and How I Coped

The Chinese New Year begins today. Its the Year of the Rabbit. Its my year.

I WAS BORN in the Year of the Dragon. Sort of. Actually, not at all. It took me some time to come to terms with that. For the first 25 or so years of my life, I lived as though a Dragon. I was a proud Dragon; who wouldnt be? I think it was an argument at work that led me to the revelation.

Of course Im a Dragon! I was born in 1976, the Year of the Dragon. What are you talking about?

Year of the Rabbit

Photo: CafePress

Whens your birthday?

January 19.

You do know the Chinese New Year begins around end of January/early February?

Shit. I looked it up. Search terms: chinese new year 1976. Began February 5, I read. The blood drained from my head. I was born at the tail end of the Year of the Rabbit. From Dragon and Fire Dragon at that to Rabbit in 0.8 seconds. I was devastated. At most, I think I am about 1/128th-ish Chinese, but that didnt matter. It was a source of pride. If I had a choice between Pig, Dog, Rat, Sheep, and Dragon, Id go Dragon every time.

So you can probably understand and empathize with me on that dreadful day. My life got flipped around.

Coping with being a Rabbit

How does one deal with such a heady blow? I was going through an identity crisis. Who was I, if not a Dragon? I went through the classic stages of the Kbler-Ross model:

  • Denial Youve! gotta b e shitting me.
  • Anger Seriously now. Stop shitting me!
  • Bargaining Maybe we can overlook this technicality. I promise Ill be a good Dragon.
  • Depression Its over. Why even bother anymore?
  • Acceptance Fine. But if Im going to be a Rabbit, I want to be like that one from The Holy Grail.

    • Once I accepted my lot in life, I started to look at it more objectively. Was I really more Rabbit than Dragon? Well, according to chinesezodiac.com, Dragons are dominant and ambitious. Im passive and easily distracted. They are driven and unafraid of challenges. Again, not my strong points.

    Rabbits, on the other hand, are creative, compassionate, and sensitive. Check, check, check. The list goes on. Every single trait described for a Rabbit (avoids conflict, enjoys learning about cultural issues and people from other countries, rarely becomes visibly upset) are mine. I own them. I am Rabbit; hear me roar.

    Community Connection

    Whats your birth animal? Do you match it?

    Happy Chinese New Year allcheers to all you Rabbits out there!

    And dont miss this Photo Essay: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations.


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