Microsoft has released a new set of Windows 7 Themes called Year of the Dragon.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a free Windows 7 theme featuring magnificent examples—both ancient and new—of the imperial dragon rendered in stone, wood, and bronze.
It’s interesting that most of the world marks the turn of the year around this time. January 23rd brings the start of the Year of the Dragon, for which we’ve assembled a collection of magnificent ancient and modern renderings in stone, wood, and bronze.
The Year of the Dragon
The Dragon is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar, and the only animal that is legendary. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the earthly branch symbol.
Water and the elemental signs
Water in the Chinese zodiac is the low point of the matter, or the matter’s dying or hiding stage. Water is the fifth stage of Wu Xing. The other stages are Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.
Water is the most yin, i.e., polar opposite (yin and yang), in the character of the Five elements. It is associated with the Winter, the North, the planet Mercury, the color black, cold weather, night, and the Black Tortoise (Xuan Wu) in Four Symbols.
The Elemental signs of the Dragon
- 16 February 1904 – 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
- 3 February 1916 – 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
- 23 January 1928 – 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
- 8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
- 27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
- 13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
- 31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
- 17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
- 5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
- 23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013: Water Dragon
- 10 February 2024 – 28 January 2025: Wood Dragon
The Cycle of Wu Xing
There are two cycles in the Wu Xing, the regenerative and the conquest. In the regenerative cycle, metal engenders Water, as metal traps falling water from a source. The demonstration of Waters power comes as it creates Wood as rain or dew makes plant life flourish.
In the conquest cycle, Water overcomes Fire, since nothing will put out a fire as quickly as water. But Earth overcomes water as earth-built canals direct the flow, as well as soil absorbing water.
Note: Windows 7 themes can only be used in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions.
To download the themes, click the download link below.
Download
Source: Microsoft
More Galleries: All Galleries | Windows 7 Galleries | Windows 8 Galleries
No comments yet - be the first!