A Monkey of a Year

While January 1st marks the first day of the year for the U.S., China's New Year falls on the day of the first new moon, occuring between January 21st and February 20th. The Chinese New Year for 2016 begins today, February 8th, and lasts until January 27, 2017.

Among the traditions tied to China's turn of the year is their zodiac, which rotates annually among 12 animals. Legend has it that each of these animals answered the Buddha's invitation to meet for a race. The order assigned to a cycle of twelve years coincides with the order in which each animal finished in this mythical contest.

Based on the Chinese zodiac, 2016 marks the Year of the Monkey, the ninth in this succession of 12 creatures. Characterized by playfulness, creativity, and a bit of mischief, monkey years portend especially good fortune for entrepreneurs, and in general bring with them change and the unexpected.

Change has indeed graced the SandStorming shop in the form of a new line of austere, Scandinavian style prints.

Augmenting these minimalist items is a Year of the Monkey poster, the first of several monkey-themed products. SandStorming monkey year creations all revisit the retro appeal of sock monkey toys, which originated in Rockford Illinois, USA, from a pattern designed for use with Rockford Red Heel socks.

As the year progresses, keep an eye out for this and other Year of the (Sock) Monkey designs and, in the spirit of the Chinese New Year, happy monkey business!