Year of the Tiger jewellery

By Kim Parker

According to ancient legend, it was a race that determined the destiny of the animals in the Chinese zodiac. 

The celestial Jade Emperor invited the earth’s creatures to take part in a race to determine which was worthy of being included in the calendar, but just 12 species appeared at the starting line: a rat, dog, pig, monkey, rooster, tiger, sheep, snake, rabbit, horse, ox, and a dragon. 

The order in which the animals finished the race would determine their order in the zodiac cycle. First prize was claimed by the rat, who sneakily hitched a ride on the ox’s back and leapt ahead at the last moment to win the race. After the ox came the tiger, followed by the rabbit, the dragon (who finished fifth after heroically stopping to save the inhabitants of a nearby village), the snake, the horse (who unwittingly gave the snake a lift), the sheep, monkey, rooster, and the dog. The pig sauntered over the finish line in last place, having taken a nap halfway through the competition. 

On February 1^st, 2022, we usher in the Year of the Tiger – a creature that has also governed 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914 and 1902. 

Those born in the year of the tiger are said to be courageous, inspiring, generous, and energetic, but also ferociously competitive, short-tempered, outspoken, and rebellious. Natural leaders, they are also decisive and luxury-loving, which makes them the perfect recipients for a sparkling, diamond-strewn gift (or two). 

Yellow gold jewels are especially auspicious, especially those adorned with red-hued gemstones or enamelling, as the colour is considered hugely lucky in China. And though it’s often considered unlucky to give watches or clocks as gifts to others during Chinese New Year, that doesn’t mean self-gifting isn’t an option for those looking to show off their B.C.E (that’s Big Cat Energy) with a tiger-themed timepiece. 

Here, we’ve found the perfect edit of gilded and glittering jewels to celebrate this Chinese New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choi!