This is the Year of the Monkey
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January 22, 2004 -
The First Day of The Year of the Monkey
The Chinese New Year is the second
New Moon after the winter solstice
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The Chinese Sign for Monkey
How Well Will
You Fare in
The Year of the Monkey?
" Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board "
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!
About the Year of the Monkey
Everything will be workable this year. At least the agile Monkey will not give up before trying every angle. There will be success even in impossible ventures, there will be inventions and improvisations galore. Politics, diplomacy, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game with everyone trying to
out bluff each other. A rather amusing and exciting time in which everyone will be given the opportunity to try his hand at the game. no direct confrontation here, as the Monkey is one who can laugh off his mistakes and improve his bargaining prowess in the next round.
This is a year that will find us all trying to get a better deal by outsmarting the other man. It his hard to keep track of who is winning, as the right hand has no idea of what the left hand us up to. One thing is for sure, this will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the utmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement.
The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends. It is definitely not a year for the faint-hearted or slow-witted. The Monkey gives no concessions and asks none in return. If there is a recession, the year of the Monkey will quickly put an end to it. Business will skyrocket under his
optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone.
It is very interesting to note that America was born in the year of the Fire
Monkey, 1776. Perhaps this explains her phenomenal growth and fantastic achievements within such a short span of time.
It is said that the Monkey's year will bring many new and unconventional ways of doing things. The motto of this year should be: "Don't take No for an answer!"
Source: The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau Published by
Arrow Books Limited
How will you fare during the Year of the Monkey?
From January 22, 2004
Goat or Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
What a lucky year for you esoteric Goats or Sheep! Curb your daydreaming and your career or art will shine. In romance, temptation may cross married lines.
Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
Rats are not bless with luck but don't get "ratty" Watch you
back and persevere and be patient - and show loved ones how generous you
can be.
Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
Man's best friend is not blessed with good luck until later in the
year but partners will help you through. Dogmatic dogs are well-served by
relaxing their mile-high standards.
Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
Steadfast attributes will bring luck if you err on the side of caution -
and loosen up! Fortune also smiles favourably on your health and
love life.
Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Noble tiger should rely more on their fun-loving than on their
authoritarian side. Work requires a calm approach - but you remain
king or queen of the bedroom.
Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Popular "bunnies" will enjoy a smooth year. In love, your
sweetness will ensure even marriage quarrels are brief for you eternal
believers in true romance.
Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Your knack for initiating projects will pay off. Keep competitive and
opportunistic to reap rewards later this year. In love smart Dragons
should learn more compassion
Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
An extremely lucky year for charming, intelligent Snakes. But devote more
time to partners - and trust them more. You will both live more comfortably.
Horse: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Not a lucky year for Horses. Draw on your wisdom and face each issue
calmly. Take your chances to travel and spend more time with your partner.
Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
It is good that Monkeys are fearless. Your luck is unpredictable -
although most obstacles can easily be overcome if you stay alert. Cut down
on your self-indulgence and expenses, and work on your relationship. Monkeys
are far happier when accepting life doesn't revolve around them.
Rooster 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
Lucky signs protect you with promotion signs later this year. A healthy
lifestyle will keep you in shape. Your love life is happily signed.
Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
Happy-intelligent Pigs can expect a reasonably lucky year with wealth
signs, but be careful of bad eating habits, while caution and common sense
is needed in love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our thanks to Hong
Kong Tourism Board
for this some of this information
Chinese Astrology Your Personalized Guide for 2004