Something went wrong - please try again later. Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: WE’LL tell you no porkies – this is The Year Of The Pig. As the last of the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac animals, 2019 falls to our porky friends, and in China, these creatures seem especially important, as they even have five types of pig named after the elements metal, water, wood, fire and earth. In Japan and Tibet, they have the boar instead of the pig, and there’s snout wrong with that. But we know which we prefer. That’s why this week we bring home the bacon by spotlighting just 10 of the best-known, most-loved pigs on the planet, and explain why they hog our attention… PORKY This is the little guy who stutters “Th-th-th-that’s all, folks!” but audiences have always been sad to see the end of any show starring Porky (pictured right). He’s been voiced by multiple men over the best part of a century, including Mel Blanc, and he was first seen in the 1935 short I Haven’t Got A Hat. Porky is not all sweetness and light. When he hit his thumb with a hammer, he said a bad word! We’ll forgive him, especially as they didn’t dare show it until many decades later. Perhaps if his “son of a…” had been heard back then, th-th-th-that really would have been all, folks. BABE Adapted from the novel The Sheep-Pig, Babe was raised as livestock but preferred to behave like a sheepdog. The original movie saw the cute little orphan piglet chosen for a Guess The Weight contest, and a chat with a helpful duck shows Babe how to avoid the frying pan. Ferdinand crows like a rooster to wake folks each morning, and he suggests Babe help him destroy an alarm clock that could put him out of business. Babe certainly proved popular, with mass audiences, and even some of his human co-stars became vegans in real life through his inspiring tale. PINKY AND PERKY Devised by Czech-born puppeteers Jan and Vlasta Dalibor, this pair were a major part of my childhood. Seen as a symbol of good luck in the former Czechoslovakia, they definitely brought good luck to their makers. They were also surprisingly musical, and if you haven’t heard them cover Hole In My Bucket, I’m afraid to say you haven’t really lived. HAMM The plastic piggy bank from Toy Story, with a witty joke for every occasion, Hamm does have a horrid alter ego, Evil Doctor Porkchop. However, he always winds up being the good guy in the end, and he gets on like a house on fire – or a tasty meal – with Mr Potato Head. PEPPA When you even get your own Hampshire theme park named after you, you’re clearly a particularly popular pig. Pre-school toddlers, and their parents who refuse to grow up, adore Peppa and friends in more than 180 locations around the globe. Evidence of how far her popularity spread was seen when her TV future on Australia’s ABC network was under threat. Oz’s Minister for Communications and future Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, insisted: “Contrary to media rumours, Peppa’s is one snout we are happy to have in the ABC trough.” WILBUR When Hanna-Barbera make a film that isn’t about one of their many famous cartoons, it’s a rarity. They’ve only done it three times but jumped at the chance to put Wilbur, and the Charlotte’s Web tale, on film. From a 1952 book of the same name, the runt of the litter is saved by a farmer’s daughter. NAPOLEON There is nothing heartwarming about the story of Napoleon and the various other pigs from George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm. It was written at a moment in history when Britain was getting on very well with Stalin, something Orwell hated and feared. It begins with another pig, Old Boar, gathering the animals to warn them just how dangerous humans are, and Napoleon then teaches the young cubs, pups and others how to live the right way. PIGLET Surely one of the most loveable pigs of all time, this porky often leaves Winnie-the-Pooh in the shadows. Although tiny, he is brave and tries to overcome his fears. He has become so famous that he often pops up in movies and Disney resorts. And for any kid who felt bad about their small stature or had any kind of inferiority complex they had to defeat, Piglet remains the perfect role model. MISS PIGGY As divas and prima donnas go, this lady takes the biscuit. Regardless of who she is meeting, it is all about Miss Piggy and she doesn’t like anyone else stealing her thunder. As the man who does her voice, Frank Oz, pointed out: “She grew up in a small town in Iowa. Her father died when she was young, and her mother wasn’t that nice to her. She had to enter beauty contests to survive, as many single women do.” If she makes a pig of herself now and then, you have to forgive her. THREE LITTLE PIGS Not by the hair on our chinny chin chins could we leave this trio out. We all know the fable of the trio building three houses of differing materials, two of them finding Big Bad Wolf has no trouble knocking them down again. The ones of straw and sticks are a pushover but the brick house stands firm, and it has long been seen as a moral tale. Although you can find printed versions from the first half of the 19th Century, it’s thought the tale goes back much further. Many of us think of the Disney version from the 1930s, with the threesome called Fifer Pig, Fiddler Pig and Practical Pig. Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf proved such a popular song that it became a huge hit and is one of the all-time most-covered Disney numbers.<doc-sep>The Chinese New Year Festival kicked off around the world on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and will last through Feb. 19. According to the Chinese calendar, it’s the year 4717. China’s lunar calendar corresponds with the cycle of the moon and always begins on the second new moon before March Equinox. The calendar Each lunar year is governed by one of 12 animals, whose characteristics are tempered by one of the five Chinese elements — metal, water, wood, fire and earth. The calendar dates to 2600 B.C., when Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. This year is the year of the pig, which represents good fortune. Common traditions Chinese New Year traditions include reuniting with family, lighting firecrackers, buying new clothes, and decorating. All over the world, the occasion is marked in various ways, including parades featuring enormous and vibrantly painted papier-mache dragons, parties and other special events. Vendors sell their wares at outdoor markets. Musicians play drums to celebrate a time of renewed hope for the future. Many families present red envelopes (hongbao) containing money to children and loved ones. Lucky food Dumplings: Legend has it that the more dumplings you can fit into your stomach, the more money you will make in the new year. Noodles: Long noodles are served as a symbol of longevity. Tangerines and oranges: These fruits are symbols of a better year ahead. The words for tangerine and orange in Chinese resemble the words for luck and success, respectively. Their bright color also symbolizes gold, hence the fruits have a meaning of bringing good luck and wealth. During the celebrations, they are frequently exchanged as gifts. Born in the Year of the Pig Though not wasteful spenders, they will let themselves enjoy life. They love entertainment and will occasionally treat themselves. They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for them to work hard. Being able to hold solid objects in their hands gives them security. Women born in the year of the pig attend social events whenever possible and are full of excitement. They can be over-friendly and forget to give others personal space. At home, they are highly organized. Men born in the year of the pig are focused, optimistic and gentle. Though they are cool-headed, they can be gullible. They are quiet and love learning, but do not always put their knowledge into words. Strengths: Warm-hearted, good-tempered, loyal, honest, gentle Weaknesses: Naive, gullible, sluggish, short-tempered Pigs are most compatible with tigers, rabbits and goats, and least compatible with snakes and monkeys. The year of one's zodiac sign is often their most unlucky, so pigs should take care to avoid potential pitfalls. Attend happy events such as weddings or family gatherings to bring good luck. Keep up hard work and stay out of conflict at work. A lack of relationship drama will allow pigs to focus on making new friends and connections. Pigs should take small illnesses seriously to avoid them turning into larger problems and get regular checkups. Seasonal changes can affect pigs' health. This year will be one to set yourself up for success and opportunities in the long term. Lucky things for Pigs Colors: yellow, gray, brown Numbers: 2, 5, 8 Mineral: agate Directions of auspiciousness: southeast, east Directions of wealth: northeast Directions of love: north Unlucky things Colors: blue, green Numbers: 1, 7, 9 — Compiled from various sources You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0<doc-sep>On Tuesday, Entertainment One will release the film Peppa Celebrates Chinese New Year, in partnership with Alibaba Pictures. Photo: Handout<doc-sep>In the Chinese Lunar New Year, 2019 is the Year of the Pig. In a new episode of "Peppa Pig," the namesake character is learning a lot about the holiday as Madame Gazelle teaches everyone in her playgroup about the traditions. Catch the festive episode at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4 on Nickelodeon, a day ahead of Chinese New Year. The show features Peppa's group making a dragon costume, Chinese lanterns and fireworks. Two new characters also are introduced, Peggi and Pandora, who are the twin daughters of Police Officer Panda. Other stories in this "Peppasode" find Peppa and Suzy Sheep starting a club with top-secret missions, Madame Gazelle hosting talent day for the group and Peppa and little brother George gazing at stars through a telescope. Sounds like Peppa's year is off to a fun start! Look for an encore airing of this new episode at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 on Nickelodeon. READ MORE:<doc-sep>
KIDS favourite Peppa is bringing home the bacon after taking China by storm just as the country ushers in the Year of the Pig. Images of the cheeky cartoon star are now plastered everywhere across the country's thousands of shopping malls, grocery stores, town squares and restaurants. 8 Peppa 'Year of the Pig' decorations for sale at a market in Hefei Credit: Getty - Contributor On Tuesday - the start of the year according to the Chinese zodiac - the movie ‘Peppa Pig Celebrates Chinese New Year' will hit the nation's cinema screens. The viral trailer for the film - which features seasonal themes of Chinese family and belonging - has received more than 500 million hits to date. And it is fair to say the little pig - who first hit British TV screens in 2004 - is now big, big business in Beijing. The brand makes up about 62 per cent of revenue for media group Entertainment One’s Family & Brands division, according to the company’s 2018 annual report. Peppa Pig’s revenue grew 21 per cent from £70 million in 2017 to nearly £85 million last year, reports the SCMP. And China has certainly been bitten by the Peppa bug and is now one of the booming brand's biggest growing markets. MASSIVE MARKET The cartoons have accumulated more than 60 BILLION views since they were first aired on Chinese state TV three years ago. And nearly 50 million Peppa books have been sold since they went on sale in 2016 - one book for every two children aged under five. Sales are now expected to rocket as China embraces the Year of the Pig. “It is a great opportunity,” said Olivier Dumont, president of Family & Brands at Entertainment One. “China over the past few years has really opened up internationally and as a result is becoming one of our main partners for content making, funding and as a market place.” “The way we see it, it is an almost normalising of China in being an important market and trading partner for us, in the same way as the US or UK. "It is up there as one of the main territories in all areas of our business: development, production, distribution.” MOST READ IN NEWS 'GOBSMACKED' Queen 'gave Harry OK for Oprah series after misleading pitch about soldiers' ROD LIDDLE Ousting right-on National Trust boss is a victory against wokery DRUMMER DEAD School Of Rock star dies at 32 after being hit by car as Jack Black mourns HOUSE ABOUT IT You won't believe what this ordinary London home looks like on the inside Exclusive TOM'S LEGACY Captain Tom Moore — who raised £39m for charity — left family £73k in will JABS HOPE Scientists 'crack cause of blood clots linked to Covid jabs & know how to fix it' However, it hasn't always been plain sailing for Peppa and her cuddly pals - as she once bizarrely became a gangster icon in China. The character became immensely popular with youths who identified with the ‘shehuiren’, or ‘gangster’, subculture. They took on the little pig as their emblem, getting Peppa tattoos, wearing toy Peppa watches, and remixing images and videos to make her sport sunglasses and gold chains. Alarmed at the influence Peppa Pig was having on youngsters, she was banned on social media for a while. 8 The new Peppa Pig movie will be released in China on Tuesday Credit: Astley Baker Davies/Entertainment One UK 8 Women walking past a poster for the Peppa Pig movie at a theatre in Beijing Credit: AFP or licensors 8 A Peppa Pig pop-up shop in the Yu Yuan gardens, Shanghai Credit: AFP or licensors 8 Cuddly toys displayed at a store in Beijing are proving big sellers Credit: AFP or licensors 8 Giant lanterns being prepared to welcome in the Year of the Pig Credit: Getty - Contributor 8 Peppa is now a multi-million pound profit machine in China Credit: AFP or licensors 8 A huge banner is erected in the city of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province Credit: Reuters