Happy Chinese New Year!
SUN NIEN FAI LOK... or HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
February 18, 2007 (which marks the new Moon) will usher in the year of the Pig. It is year 4,705 since the beginning of the Yellow Emperor’s reign, when this lunar calendar was first implemented. Wear red for good luck!
So, what's in store for us in 2007? According to Chinese Astrology, the year of the Pig is a year of goodwill, abundance and generosity.
The Pig's year is one of plenty. La dolce vita is very much advocated and practiced by the sensual Pig. This year will find us entertaining a lot more than usual and getting ourselves involved in all sorts of charitable and social functions. We find it a lot easier to make friends in the Pig's tolerant and expansive atmosphere.
The fortunate Pig also carries with him contentment and security. This is one year in which you could be happy without having or needing a lot of success or money to make it so. There will not seem to be many hurdles to overcome and the placid Pig radiates a sense of well-being.
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The Pig Personality
If you were born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 or 2007 you were born under the sign of the Pig.
This is the sign of honesty, simplicity and great fortitude. Gallant, sturdy and courageous, a person born in this year will apply himself to an allotted task with all his strength and you can rely on him to see it through. Outwardly, he may appear rough-hewn and jovial, but scratch the surface and you will find pure gold.
In his life, the loyal and thoughtful Pig will make lasting and beneficial friendships. He enjoys gatherings of all kinds, giving parties and hosting fetes, joining clubs and all kinds of associations. A quiet organizer, who hates arguments and bickering, he is capable of bringing people of all sides together. His credibility and sincerity are his best assets. Yet, he can be a bit too affable and condescending at times, and he also expects others to tolerate his weaknesses.
The honest Pig loves with all his heart. He is very considerate as a rule and does not know how to camouflage his emotions. In a love affair, he or she is most likely to end up as the injured party. He could carry the torch for years to come.
The Pig will elect to work hard in life, and he will play just as hard, too, so long as he can use up his bountiful supply of energy. With his basic aptitude and conscientiousness, he will triumph and provide well for those about him. His life is fated to be blessed with all he will need and the money, power and success that comes to him will be unselfishly shared with one and all. With his robust and free-spending ways, the burly Pig will always be found living it up. He is the perfect friend, forever willing to do you another favor, or lend you another dollar. Maybe this explains why he is so lucky! At times, it seems he owns the Horn of Plenty.
Most of the Pig's problems stem from his overgenerous character. If he could contain his basic urge to do too much for others and to promise more than he can deliver, he should have few major upsets.
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In This Issue
Happy Chinese New Year!
The Pig Personality
New Year Customs
New Year Customs
Here are some of the traditions and superstitions to usher wealth, happiness, and good fortune into the New Year.
Clean the House
Days before the New Year, celebrators clean their houses to rid them of lasts year's bad luck and make way for the in-coming good luck for the New Year.
Plants for Luck - Celebrators buy plants and flowers that will bring them good luck for the New Year.
*The Kumquat tree is considered to be the luckiest because its name is a play on the word lucky.
*The peach blossom is also considered to be lucky and the markets are decorated with the delicate blossoms wrapped in tissue paper that stops them getting damaged.
Special Foods
*Fish - Is usually eaten on the eve of Chinese New Year. The Cantonese pronunciation of fish makes it a homophone for "more than enough", or "extra".
*Dumplings - Eaten traditionally because the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
*The Tangerine is lucky because of its bright color, but, odd numbers are unlucky, so the tangerines are always given in pairs.
*Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.
Wear Red
Red is the color for clothes and all decorations because it is associated with joy and happiness.
Lucky Money
Lucky money is given out in red envelopes with the family name and good-luck message written on them in gold. They are given on New Year.
Open Windows
Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the New Year.
Switch on Lights
Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
Firecrackers
The loud noises are intended to frighten away evil spirits and bad luck that the spirits might bring.
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