This was spotted in an Ikea shop. Quite a handy short cut to learning a bit of Penang Hokkien.
The Year of the Snake 2013
This year Chinese New Year falls on 10 February 2013 and it is the beginning of the Year of the Snake. What will this year bring for businesses, love and world peace?
Here are some predictions of eminent and not so eminent sources around the web.
From the wise word of Paul Ng, a geomancer in Canada:
This year is composed of “water snake” year, “wooden tiger” month, “metal ox” day and “earth rat” hour. While its year and month are in conflict, its day and hour connect. The year would begin with many uncertainties but end up on a high tune. There is an over-abundance of wood and fire, which become negative elements for the year. Elements of “earth, metal and water” would serve the year better.
The five star analysis of this sign is a very turbulent one. It would bring the world to extremities – good or bad. Its nature is “earth”. Countries in both south and north would do better than those in the east or west. China would control to lead the world’s economy. Western countries would continue to suffer from economic instabilities.
Business involving “earth, metal or water” would do well. Those involving “water or earth” had to work much harder. This is a year of instabilities, especially in both Middle East and Southern Europe.
You can read his full report here.
According the CLSA Feng Shui index which they have been producing for over 19 years, here is what they have to say about the markets
It will be a good year for the Hang Seng, particularly in the first half and March is flagged as a standout month. It’s interesting that March is also the month that the U.S. Congress has to deal with the debt-ceiling. After June the ride gets much rougher and more volatile.
On Health, Relationships and Work for the year, they say :
If you were born in the year of the Rooster, Dog or Ox (Cow), it is going to be a great year.
If you are a Pig, Goat (Sheep), Tiger or Snake, it’s best to fast forward to 2014. Interestingly, those with the same birth sign as the year sign invariably have bad years.
Source: CNN
Chinese New Year Customs
The Chinese people are a very superstitious lot. We folllow a lot of customs which are steeped in tradition and superstition. Everything comes to a head at Chinese New Year as one wrong step can spoil your whole year.
Here are some of them, do you still practise any these ?
1. Do you smear honey on the lips of the kitchen god before Chinese New Year as he ascends to heaven to report to Huang Ti, (the yellow Emperor ) about the behaviour of the family? This is so that he’s only able to say sweet things?
2. Do you choose to wear red during Chinese New Year including red underwear?
3. Do you or your children sleep with red packets or angpows under the pillow during Chinese New Year’s eve?
4. Do you put your feet up and relax during Chinese New Year as the most enjoyable of the Chinese New Year superstitions says that sweeping and cleaning is strictly forbidden? The Chinese believe cleaning on New Year’s day means that you will sweep all of your good luck out the front door.
5. Do you make sure you avoid rough seas in the new year by not buying shoes over the holiday period? In Cantonese, the word for shoes also sounds like ‘rough’.
6. Do you avoid the hairdressers during Chinese New Year? Sharp objects are said to be harbingers of bad luck as their sharp points cut out your good luck. Pack them away, or you’ll have your good luck chopped off!
7. Do you make sure when you need to wake someone up on the First Day of Chinese New Year, you do not call him/her by name as the person will be dependant on you all year long to motivate them?
8. Do you refrain from eating porridge on the first day of Chinese New Year or you won’t get rich because only poor people eat rice porridge in the past?
9. Did you know that you should not have a lunchtime nap at noon, otherwise people will be lazy year long?
Some Feng Shui fanatic friends have even gone as far to consult with the Almanac to determine which direction to step out of the front door and at what time on the first day of the new year as this will have a great impact on your wealth generation for the year.
As you can see the underlying trend is about money and prosperity. So ignore at your own will.
Gong Hei Fatt Choy !!!!
