Year of The Tiger

Year Of The Tiger:

Feb 14th is Chinese New Year, and we are entering the volatile, unpredictable and dynamic Year of the Tiger. You may think that 2009 had its upheavals, but the Chinese Zodiac perdicts more of the same for 2010.

In the year of the tiger we can expect to see extremes. This is certainly not a quiet year! There will be volatility and big changes. While this can mean disputes and disasters it can also be a cleansing time, allowing for renewal and positive changes. And extremes of bad luck and problems are balanced by extremes of good luck and success.

If the force and vigour of the tiger can be channeled into positive actions and projects, much can be achieved. People born under the signs of Tiger, Horse, Rooster or Dog can expect the most favourable year of all the Chinese signs.

Celebrating Chinese Year:

Before the new year arrives, it is traditional to clean the house, to ‘sweep away’ the bad luck that may have accumulated during the previous year. Then, once the new year has started, avoid cleaning for a few days so you don’t ‘sweep out‘ the good luck!

Red is considered a lucky colour – decorate your home with red candles, ornaments, drapes, and decorations, and wear red clothes.

An old tradition involves getting the family together on new year’s eve to make dumplings together. If you don’t know how to make Chinese dumplings, get the family together anyway, and cook and eat something something else together!

Tangerines and Oranges, which represent good luck, are often served at New Years Eve.

On New Year’s day, children are given red envelopes with money in, which again symbolizes good luck. The red envelopes with lucky characters on can be purchased from all manner of oriental shops at this time of year. The amount inside need not be large, but should consist of new notes, with the total being an even amount. As the number 4 is unlucky, the total amount should not have a ‘4’ in it.

“Gong Xi Fa Cai” – (Congratulations and Prosperity!)