According to Chinese mythology, which is also believed by Koreans, the year of the golden pig arrives every 600 years, and it is considered extremely propitious, especially in terms of monetary wealth. Thus, couples all across Asia are giving it their best to bring in babies within the next lunar year which starts on Feb. 18, 2007.
Granted, folklore scholars dispute the existence at all of a golden pig year. They say that further research will likely debunk the myth just as it did the myth of 2006 as the "year of the two springs," an extremely favorable year for marriages, according to The Korea Times, an English-language newspaper published out of Seoul.
But the legend has gained widespread popularity, regardless, especially among young couples looking to have their first or second child. South Korea, for example, is expected to see a 10 percent increase in the birth rate, primarily because of the rumor, according to The Korea Times.
Retailers are also capitalizing on the trend by printing golden-pig-year calendars, baby clothing and a whole array of toys to meet the sudden demand. Marriage halls during 2006 saw just as significant an increase in business last year, because of the myth about that propitious year.
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