Year of the Pig

pencil drawing on 9″×11″ sketchbook paper coloured on computer paper According to the myths, the Pig was the last to arrive when the Jade Emperor called for the great meeting. Other sources said that Buddha called for a great meeting when he was about to leave the earth. The Pig came in last. Legend has it that just as the emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little Pig. The term “lazy Pig” is due here as the Pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast then fell asleep. After the nap, the Pig continued the race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle. Another source says : Now there was one place left in the zodiac and the Emperor wondered when the last winner would come. He had nearly given up when he heard a grunt from the Pig. ‘You took a long time to cross the river,’ said the Emperor to the Pig. ‘I was hungry and stopped to eat,’ explained the Pig. ‘After the meal I felt so tired that I fell asleep.’ ‘You have still done well,’ said the Jade Emperor. ‘The last year of the zodiac will be named after you.’Other sources say that given his very stout form, he was just too slow a swimmer, and thus he could not do anything against the other animals. Each element is said to alter a bit the personalities of the person born in the year of the Pig. Thus, those who were born in the year of the Wooden Pig are said to possess stronger convictions than the rest. Yet, like the bamboo, he is flexible when the situation calls for it. Those born in the year of the Fire Pig are supposed to be enthusiastic, extroverted, rebellious, passionate, brave and valiant; however, they can also be hot-tempered, snappy, uncontrollable and short-tempered. As the earth is seen to be constant and unchanging, those born in the year of the Earthen Pig are believed to be calm, practical, hard-working, brave, smart, wise, stable and patient; however, they can also be stubborn, possessive, nearsighted and very harsh. Metal, being the hardest of the elements give the Pig an air of firmness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The Metal Pig can be controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways. They are often more self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. Being its natural element, those born in the year of the Water Pig are said to show the extremes of being a Pig. They can be very emotional, deep, nurturing, sympathetic, empathetic, imaginative and intuitive; however, they can also be cold, moody, jealous, sentimental, sensitive, escapistic and irrational. The Years of the Pig I’m being lazy by converting this drawing to a Chinese Zodiac drawing but I wasnt crazy about the original drawing I did so I’ll change it around to match the style of the other Chinese zodiac drawings and see how it goes.