Roasted in Red Rooster Year?

The fire keeps burning. Last year was the turn of the Red Fire Monkey, now it is the turn of the Red Fire Rooster. According to Chinese astrology, the zodiac cycle consists of 12 animals taking their turn each year. But it is also the five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - that give their own particular character to the animal. The nature of the element directly affects the nature of the animal, so the year of a certain animal can show quite a different profile under the influence of the element attached to that year. It is probably more appropriate to say it is the Year of the Chicken, as this year also has the influence of female red metal. Red metal points out gold, so this year has a golden touch, but the poor chicken is also about hard working and tough times.  

The ancient Turkic calendar is similar, and this year will be the Year of the Chicken. According to ancient Turkic beliefs, in the chicken years the crop will be plenty but there will be disputes among the people. The chicken stands for wealth, but money matters always bring conflicts. Turkic astrology also tells us that in history Years of the Chicken are the years of riots and uprisings. There is even mention of earthquakes in history or social earthquakes, civic turmoil and chaos. This makes one think that we are constantly in a Year of the Chicken year, but this year it might be even worse - as the country is prone to unrest - so it is likely that the Year of Red Fire gets Turkey roasted! 

Associating chicken and wealth is hard to understand in today's world. In Ottoman times, chicken was more costly than lamb or mutton. Seljuk period feast tables were adorned with birds like quail, partridge, pigeon and especially chicken. In remote rural parts of Anatolia, it is...