Your guide to the lunar zodiac in the Year of the Rooster

Posted by Blog Team on Dec 05, 2016

Buddha and the 12 lunar animals

The ancient Chinese Lunar Calendar, which dates back beyond 2600BC, is reputedly the longest chronological record in history. According to a popular version of its founding legend, Buddha called on every animal to attend on him prior to departing to the next life. Only 12 animals arrived to honour the sage and in recognition of their allegiance he rewarded each one with a place in the famous lunar zodiac.

Click image to discover your lunar animal

In some versions of the story, Buddha asked the animals to race across a river. Not the greatest swimmer, the rooster finished in the antepenultimate position (third last). For this reason, the rooster is the tenth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac after the mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat and monkey – but ahead of the dog and the pig.

The influence of the lunar rooster

rooste_2107 Each animal is said to have a profound impact on the personality of those born under its influence. As a result, if your year of birth is 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, or 2017, your lunar animal is the rooster. Highly motivated, hardworking and multi-talented, ‘roosters’ are regarded as talkative, rather social, and enjoy being in a group setting or crowd. It’s believed their creative and artistic powers often make them great performers.

Famous entertainers born in the Year of the Rooster include Beyoncé Knowles (1981), Steffi Graf (1969), Goldie Hawn (1945), Eric Clapton (1945), and Groucho Marx (1890).

Celebrating Lunar Chinese New Year

redenvelope-with-coins The beginning of the new lunar year is celebrated by Chinese and many other people worldwide. In 2017, Chinese New Year falls on 28 January, when the rooster officially begins its new reign. It’s also the beginning of the Spring Festival, an extended public holiday in China which sees families come together, enjoy special feasts, and exchange many gifts – including red envelopes containing coins.

Year of the rooster gold and silver coins

The Perth Mint produced the world’s first major precious metal coin program to draw inspiration from these age-old customs.

Commencing in 1996, the Australian Lunar Series I established the coins’ reputation internationally for superb quality and design. Introduced in 2008, Series II continues in the same vein, providing buyers with an outstanding range of collectables and gifts.

With our 117 year reputation for minting excellence, we bring supreme skills to the meticulous production of the Lunar series in flawless proof quality, stunning high relief, delicately gilded and gorgeously coloured coins struck from 99.99% pure gold and silver.

Scrupulously complying with strict limited mintages and housed in prestigious display packaging, our Australian Lunar coins provide rare and exclusive opportunities to celebrate your personal, family and friends’ association with the lunar zodiac.

Coin Guide: Australian Lunar – 2017 Year of the Rooster

	1 kilo, 1oz, 1/2oz Silver Proof Coins
	1oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz Gold Proof Coins
	1oz Silver Proof Coloured Edition
	1oz Gold Proof Coloured Edition
	1oz Silver Gilded Edition
	1oz Silver Typeset
	1oz Silver Proof High Relief Coin
	1oz Gold Proof High Relief Coin
	1 Kilo Silver Gemstone Edition (with golden citrine insert)

Previous releases

The last few Australian Lunar collector coins celebrating the 2016 Year of the Monkey, 2015 Year of the Goat, 2014 Year of the Horse, 2013 Year of the Snake, 2012 Year of the Dragon, and 2009 Year of the Ox are available here.

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Tags: Australian Lunar, Gold, Silver, Year of the Rooster

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