This is the Year of the Goat or Sheep Year 4700
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February 1, 2003 - The Year of the Goat
January 22, 2004
- The Year of the Monkey
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How Well Will
You Fare in
The Year of the Goat or Sheep?
The Chinese Symbol for Spring
" Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourist Association "
Kung Hei Fat Choy -- "Wishing You Success and Prosperity!"
Often, the greeting is accompanied by the giving of lai see, red paper envelopes
gold-stamped with good-luck mottoes and containing a gift of crisp, new paper
money or two matched shiny coins.
Flowers also play a leading role in the Lunar New Year tradition. Peach blossoms,
narcissi, peonies and pussy willow are sold at the annual New Year flower market in Hong
Kong's Victoria Park. All symbolize good luck and prosperity, as does the miniature
orange, or kumquat plant with its gold-coloured fruit. Kum sounds the same as the Chinese
for gold.
Visitors to Asia are also likely to come across a lion dance, the colourful, noisy and athletic display aimed at frightening away evil spirits and bringing good luck. Most hotels have a lion troupe performing in the lobby while, in the traditional villages, the troupe moves from house to house in rhythmic ceremony.
In Hong Kong, firecrackers have long been associated with the Lunar New Year celebrations and the tradition is carried on with a magnificent official pyrotechnic extravaganza over Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Popular
vantage points for these fabulous free performances are the East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront,
The Peak or any building which affords a harbour view.
Unlike the western New Year, the Lunar New Year does not fall at a set time every year.
As its name implies, it is dictated by the moon, and it begins on the first day of
the first moon after the sun enters Aquarius.
The first three days of Lunar New Year, the most important Chinese festival of the year, are public holidays in Hong Kong where tradition dictates the activities to be undertaken throughout the holiday.
On the first day of the holiday, while many families may go and watch the Chinese New Year Parade along Wan Chai & Central District waterfront, the family traditionally stays home together. The second day is a time to visit friends and more distant relatives. Great significance is attached to the first visitor to the house or the first person seen after leaving the house. They could be the bearer of good luck or bad luck. The third day is Chak Hau, or Quarrel Day, the day on which you are most likely to get into arguments, so it is thought prudent to stay home. Various celebrations, traditions and observances take place until the 15th day of the New Year also known as Yuen Siu, or Spring Lantern Festival. With Yuen Siu, a Taoist tradition, the New Year celebrations end and Hong Kong embarks on another busy round of traditional celebrations, sports, arts, festivals, business and excitement!
YEAR OF THE GOAT OR
SHEEP
Goat or Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991
More about the Year of the Goat or Sheep
Year 2003 is the year of Black Sheep, which contains Water, Fire, Earth and some Wood. Again, Water and Fire are incompatible as in 2002; Water and Earth are unfriendly. Fortunately, there is a little Wood inside the Sheep. When Water is fighting with Fire or Earth, Wood has a chance as the mediator between them. Also, 2002 Black Horse is a pair of male Fire and male Water; 2003 Black Sheep has a pair of female Fire and female Water. The conflict between males always comes stronger than the one between females. Therefore, the impact of the conflict between Fire and Water in 2003 is much lesser than in 2002. This means 2003 will be more peaceful than 2002 and year 2003 continues the Five Element cycle flow from 2002. Any unfinished business in 2002 will carry over to the next year until the fall of 2003.
The Year 2003 (Black Sheep) is the 4700th Chinese year. The Chinese believe that the first king of China was the Yellow King (he was not the first emperor of China who completed the Great Wall). The Yellow King became king in 2697 B.C., therefore China will enter the 4700th year on February 4th, 2003. Also, the Chinese Year uses the cycle of 60 Stem-Branch counting systems and the Black Sheep is the 20th Stem-Branch in the cycle. Since 4700 = (60 *78) + 20, therefore this Black Sheep Year is the 4700th Chinese Year.
Some web sites say the year 2003 is the 4701st Chinese year. If you cannot find the explanation, here is a possible answer for you. The Yellow King's inauguration was held in the spring of 2697 B.C.. But the calendar of Yellow King used the winter solstice day as the first day of the year. So the first winter solstice was on around December 23rd, 2698 B.C. Today's January 1st means nothing to Yellow King. If we count that extra eight days in 2698 B.C. for a year, then ye
2003 is the Year of Goat, which is also known as the Sheep or Ram. According to the Chinese zodiac people born under the sign of ‘The Gentle Sheep' are creative, charming, sensitive dreamers but are also insecure and
disorganized.
If you are born in the Year of the Goat. You are artistic and a thinker. Sometimes you can feel outgoing and talk a lot; sometimes, you can feel shy.
Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors, gardeners or beachcombers would suit
Famous people born in the Year Of The Sheep:
Gene Hackman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonard Nimoy, Prunella Scales,John Major, George Harrison
How will you fare during the Year of the Sheep or Goat?
From February 1, 2003
Goat or Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991
As a Goat, this is your year. You are an emotional, domestic-loving person, known for your
understanding nature and caring manner. Most aspects of this year look promising, but you
should focus clearly on what you wish to achieve. On the social front. Goats will enjoy a year
of eventful activities and could easily find themselves developing new relationships from a
widening circle of friends.
Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
This will be a promising year. However, think carefully before you make any major changes
in your life and try to set aside some time to relax and unwind.
Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
It will be a happy year for domestic life and there will be opportunities to further your career.
A surprise situation will spark off a special new friendship.
Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
Work prospects look good, but you need to take a head down approach to move up the career
ladder. Be careful not overwork yourself.
Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Look forward to 12 months of tremendous excitement and change. This year will be a good
time to begin a new romance.
Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
This year will be generally calm and positive. You may find yourself striking up a new
friendship that will have a significant impact on your life.
Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Dragons tend to have huge reserves of energy so generally you will enjoy good health. This
year will be a positive time for Dragons to make a career move or seek promotion.
Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Affairs of the heart could be linked to the finer things in life such as good food, wine and the
arts. You would be wise to think twice before you make any impulsive purchases.
Horse: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
This year will certainly not be a dull one for Horses. Romance and an active social life feature
strongly. Expect some exciting travel opportunities to come your way.
Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992
Beware of dabbling in too many different things. At work concentrate on building up contacts,
as in some cases colleagues moving on will open up opportunities for promotion.
Rooster 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
This will be a busy year for work, play and romance, but not without a few ups and downs.
Put money aside for specific use.
Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
This will be a good year for Pigs who are considering starting their own business. The
potential for building new friendships or starting a new romance are excellent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our thanks to Hong Kong Tourist
Association for this information
For more information, contact the Hong Kong Tourist Association, 9
Temperance Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1Y6,
Tel: (416)366-2389 or 1-800-563-4582, Fax: (416)366-1098,
E-mail: yyzwwo@hktourismboard.com
, Web site: http://www.discoverhongkong.com