As featured on Sloto Magazine

The Chinese zodiac is a big theme at Sloto’Cash for the past 12 months as we have seen dozens of new Asian-themed game releases. Most of these new slots are inspired by the Far-East’s Zodiac and mythology.  

The Chinese Zodiac plays a very big role in modern day China. The Zodiac has been used for centuries as a guide for making big decisions.

Believe it or not, the Chinese Zodiac is influencing demographics, world economy, relationships and political decisions in China. So, what’s the fuzz about the zodiac? We have gathered a series of fun facts about the Chinese Zodiac, so you can appreciate the depth and tradition behind this ancient practice.

It’s not about the stars

As opposed to the Greco-Roman 12-sign zodiac, the Chinese version is not inspired by astrology. It stems from ancient Chinese philosophy. It is also a 12 sign zodiac, but it represents years rather than star constellations. Each sign is represented by an animal.

¼ of the world’s population

A quarter of the world’s population is using the Zodiac to guide their lives. They use it to name newborns, to decide whom to marry, when to give birth, and determining attitudes between one another. The Chinese believe several animal signs get better along together than with others. Parents choose specific years to give birth, in order to make a harmonious zodiac sign family.

Romantic couples are also influenced by the Zodiac. Some signs are thought to be highly compatible, while there are others that are considered natural enemies.

The power of the Dragon

The sign of the Dragon is very auspicious, symbolizing power, wealth and prosperity. Many Chinese parents dream of having a child in the year of the Dragon.  In 2012, the year of the Dragon, birth rates increased 5% in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; an equivalent of 1 million extra babies that year!

The Tiger and the Goat

At the other end of the Zodiac are the unlucky signs: the Tiger and the Goat. During these years, child birthrates are lower in Asia. Surprisingly, most of the top 300 wealthiest persons in the world are born under precisely these two signs!

Zodiac Sign Index

Many Chinese business people make their decisions based on this index. These decisions are making a big impact not only in China but also in the world.  China plays an important role in the global economy and politics; it is thus becoming very important to understand the impact of the Chinese Zodiac and other Chinese traditions.

Perspective is everything. In a world were information flows like a tsunami, it’s important to keep focused on the data that is relevant to our modern lives. We have sifted the internet to find interesting and credible facts, backed by science, that will help you lead a more balanced and healthy life. Here are a few tips to make your life GREAT!

Learn to forgive
It’s not uncommon to carry a resentment for many years. Many people will wrong you throughout your life. But you don’t want to harm your future days by clinging with anger to something that happen years or decades ago. Researchers have found that forgiveness results in lower levels of anxiety, depression and major psychiatric disorders, since you are basically letting go of the toxic anger that fuels the resentment. Here’s a tip: write down the names of everyone that has wronged you. Then consciously say out loud “I forgive you” as you scan past each name. Try to be genuine. You can then move on with your life and gain a greater sense of freedom. 

Travel more

Traveling is good for you. Researchers have found that students that travel abroad for their studies ranked much higher in ‘Openness to Experience’, ‘Agreeableness’, and ‘Emotional Stability’, than their colleagues that stayed at home. Traveling will broaden your perspectives and literally reprogram your personality to make you more empathetic toward other people in your life.

The Gratitude Loop

We all have things to be grateful for. A psychology study showed that a one-time act of thoughtful gratitude produced an immediate 10% increase in happiness and 35% reduction in anxiety. Practicing gratitude is not as hard you may think.  Write down a list of 3 to 5 things you are grateful in your life before going to bed, once or twice per week. Meditate on these things as you fall asleep. This activity can quickly become routine and bring big benefits to your life. As you focus on the good, rather than the bad, in your life, you will soon start seeing the “glass half-full” in situations where previously you would only see the negative aspects. It will become effortless to be thankful for the good, generating a cycle where the ‘good’ in life begins to shine out more and more so it becomes easier to be happier and even more grateful.

Nurture your Social Circle

We are a social animal. Research has shown that having a healthy social network can help you live up to 50% longer! Invest time to see family and friends. Developing closer and more intimate relationships can help you react less to stress and have a positive effect on your lifespan. Several studies have shown that people with strong social relationships can reduce risks of chronic diseases in heart, brain, hormonal and immune function. It is important also not to focus only on family and friends. Providing support to the needy and strangers can have equally good results for your brain. One study showed that providing support to others can be more beneficial than receiving it! The brains of the participants that were giving most support had reduced activation in brain areas related to stress responses. Go out today and talk to your friends, family and even strangers – your life will immediately be enriched!

It is fascinating to see the evolution of Santa Claus over time. In a previous edition of Sloto Magazine we reviewed the history behind Santa Claus. Many of our readers got intrigued and some wanted to know more. On this article, we will explore how Santa ended up having reindeer as the muscle power for his sleigh.

The character of Santa Claus has been inspired by St. Nicholas of Myra. As a 4th century bishop living in present-day Turkey, it is more than unlikely that he traveled with a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The more likely truth is that St. Nicholas traveled by horse. In fact, the Dutch version of St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, does travel by horse to this date.  

So where do the reindeer come from? Their association with Santa Claus has a very precise origin… a poem! Yes, the 1823 poem titled ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ or commonly known as ‘The Night Before Christmas’ introduces the idea that Santa drives his sleigh with 8 reindeer. The poem mentions the names of the reindeer as we know them today, except for two.  

Here’s an excerpt from the poem:

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

 

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixem!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!

Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!


Dunder and Blixem are Dutch words that mean ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’.  Later variations of the poem changed the name to Donner and Blitzen as we know them today!   

On the opposite page we will review one of our most popular slots based on Santa’s most famous reindeer!

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