by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats

Picture by: Grace J. aka Grace Jonghee Kim, Korean-Canadian freelance illustrator based in New York area

...According to Chinese astrology, 2022 will be the Year of the Blue Water Tiger. In the following story we will unveil the secrets of Tiger's personality, what drives him, what are Tiger's favorite colors and of course - what are his favorite plants that will make him happy, kind, and cooperative...

2022: Year of Tiger

According to Chinese astrology, 2022 will be the Year of the Blue Water Tiger.

Tiger is the third of the Chinese zodiacs. According to the legend, Tiger was confident that no one could compete with its speed and vigor for the celestial race that would decide the order of the Zodiacs. However, when Tiger climbed out of the river, thinking it was first, it was informed that Rat placed first for its cunning and Ox placed second for its diligence. This left the King of the Jungle having to settle for third place.

The Tiger is a creature that signifies ambition, competitive spirit, impulsiveness and communication.

The Water Tiger year is focused on connecting with others, taking risks, and having a good time. We're all going to want to meet new people and have new experiences this year.
For individuals in 2022, this means challenge, excitement and rule-breaking because Tigers are rebels!

On a global level

On a global level, world leaders may circle each other, growl and argue - Tigers are fighters after all. Countries will talk of firming up borders, as these beautiful animals are territorial. At the same time, individuals will want fewer boundaries and limitations, to be free - Tigers love freedom after all.

Financial markets will go up and down, with risky moves being very much associated with Tigers. However, just like the animal stalks their prey, profits will be made by those who are paying attention. There will be marvelous technological breakthroughs, as Tigers are early adopters.

Passionate behavior and wild love affairs will hit the headlines as the combination of friskiness and foolhardiness attached to this year's animal can spell scandal.
All of this year's energy will come in spurts, followed by periods of quiet. The Tiger, just like your normal house cat, loves to nap and when they awake—let the excitement resume!

People born in a year of the Tiger

People born in a year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They are very charming and well-liked by others. But sometimes they are likely to be impetuous, irritable, and overindulgent. With stubborn personalities and tough judgment, Tigers work actively and express themselves boldly, doing things in a high-handed manner. They are authoritative and never go back on what they have said. With great confidence and indomitable fortitude, they can be competent leaders. They will not make preparations for anything, but can handle anything that comes along.

Lucky colors for 2022

The Year of the Water Tiger helps decide the lucky colors for 2022:

Cerulean blue, fiery red, mint green and imperial yellow are the lucky colors for 2022.

They are known as fortifying colors, as they improve the luck of those who wear them as a lucky charm or as clothing. One can also include these colors in home decorations.
Cerulean blue: The shade represents appeasement, liberty and serenity. This color will enhance one’s luck in job interviews, communication and negotiations. Excessive usage of this color activates the Water Element and can also lead to despair, sluggishness and frigidness.

Mint green: This color activates the Wood Element and represents healing, growth and inventiveness. Mint green will prove lucky for those who are looking forward to adapting to a new job/place or are embarking on a new journey. However, using the color too much might lead to defeat and feelings of jealousy.

Fiery red: Symbolic of movement, vitality, passion and love, fiery red activates the Fire Element and is lucky for those who are entering a romantic relationship or are welcoming a baby. Although a favorable color to improve your love life, usage of this shade in excess might give rise to rage.
Imperial yellow: The color activates the Earth Element; it stands for foreknowledge, wisdom and good organization. Imperial yellow will prove lucky when it comes to purchasing property and transferring valuable goods, but excessive use of this shade can also give rise to vanity and adultery.

Balancing colors: Here’s where balancing colors come into play. To protect you from the negative effects of the four fortifying colors, you have the balancing and protective colors of white and golden, which activate the Metal Element. Using these colors will help organize the rest of the palette of colors and elements and bring them to a favorable balance.

And remember: brown color is unlucky in 2022 – avoid it!

The Tiger, this majestic cat, is the King of animals in Asia; he rules from tropical jungle to snowy Amur taiga, and just because plants symbolizing the Tiger are enough many.
In China, bamboo, pine, flowering plum and Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) were traditionally considered the symbolic plants of the Tiger. Of course, given the relationship of flower color with the happy colors chart of 2022 and their relationship to Elements of the Universe as we described above: Cerulean blue, fiery red, mint green and imperial yellow. These will be the happiest flowers of the year!

2022 Tiger Lucky Plants

The following plants will bring good luck and prosperity in 2022 Year of Tiger:

- Fruiting plants with bright fruit

- Unusual and bizarre looking plants ("risky" plants)

- Foliage plants with unusually shaped leaves

- Aquatic and bog plants with their meditative beauty

These are just a few examples of plants that will make the Tiger happy:

Foliage plants:

Monstera, Colocasias, Syngoniums

Flowering plants:

Thunbergia laurifolia - Blue Sky vine
Tecoma stans - Yellow Elder
Saraca indica - Ashoka Tree
Radermachera Kunming - Dwarf Tree Jasmine
Cassia bahamensis (Senna mexicana) - Bahama Senna
Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree
Allamanda hendersonii - Golden Trumpet Vine, Brown Bud
Delonix regia - Royal poinciana, Flamboyant
Erythrina lysistemon - Coral Tree
Camptosema grandiflora - Dwarf Red Jade Vine
Strongylodon macrobotrys - Jade vine

Fruit:

Malpighia glabra - Barbados Cherry, Acerola
Loquat
Mango

See more articles by Alex Butova