The Origin and History of Valentine's Day

Written by Tony Luck


Why We Celebrate Valentine's Day..

The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by Charles Duke of Orleans, atrepparttar time a prisoner inrepparttar 110425 Tower of London, to his wife. The Valentine’s card is now preserved and displayed inrepparttar 110426 British Museum. However,repparttar 110427 origins of Valentine’s Day lie in ancient Rome. Overrepparttar 110428 yearsrepparttar 110429 ever expanding Roman empire became more difficult to police and there was an increasing shortage of soldiers. Believing that married men were too attached to their families and unlikely to sign up, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage, thinking this would increaserepparttar 110430 number of quality recruits. The story goes that a Christian priest byrepparttar 110431 name of Valentine, seeingrepparttar 110432 unhappiness and trauma that resulted, secretly married couples in defiance ofrepparttar 110433 new law.

The Chinese Year of the Tiger

Written by Tony Luck


The Chinese Year Of The Tiger..

If you were born underrepparttar Chinese sign ofrepparttar 110424 Tiger, it doesn't pay to argue with you! Tigers are usually larger than life, warm-hearted extroverts. They can't help being noticed and are often very good-looking. However, they can be quick tempered, laughing and joking one moment and angryrepparttar 110425 next, turning on anyone who annoys them.

Tigers are fearless and will pursue a perceived wrong no matter what. They have a restless spirit and hate to be confined. Tigers need to be free to roam.

Those born under this sign are idealistic but can be rebellious. Strong and tough, they will endure considerable physical hardship. Tigers are individuals who care little for material goods.

There are twelve Chinese year signs inrepparttar 110426 Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to departrepparttar 110427 earth he summoned allrepparttar 110428 animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bearrepparttar 110429 name of one ofrepparttar 110430 animals. Chinese astrology is based onrepparttar 110431 Lunar Calendar. This meansrepparttar 110432 Chinese New Year does not fall onrepparttar 110433 same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consultrepparttar 110434 charts to determinerepparttar 110435 correct sign.

Chinese Years: February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster

January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey

February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat

February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse

January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake

February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
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