We owe Chinese New Year to a beast called Nian. A long time ago Nian lived under the sea or in the mountains. He wasn’t nice. He would emerge from his lair and eat the villagers, especially children. The villagers didn’t like this and one year they decided to hide from Nian.
But an old man stood his ground. He confronted Nian, armed with red papers and firecrackers making a deafening noise. NIan slunk away. The villagers returned to find everything safe, the village peaceful. They declared the old man a deity. He taught them that Nian was afraid of red clothes and lanterns and he hated loud noises made by firecrackers and drums.
And so today we have the colour and noise of the lunar new year.
GREETINGS
Gong Hei Fat Choy – congratulations and be prosperous
WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T DO THIS
According to feng shui expert Mae Kwan, you mustn’t:
- Site your bed in the northwest of your house. Here lurks Xu, who is associated with the dog
- Wear jewellery shaped like a dog
- Date or worse, marry anyone born in the year of the dog.
BUT DO DO THIS
- Wear gold or yellow decorated with blue, similarly decorate your house. Gold signifies wealth. Blue means water – youth, vitality and wisdom.
From 10 February, we will be in the Year of the Dragon, regarded by most people as a very good year indeed. The 12-year Chinese zodiac is based on the cycles of both the sun and the moon. Each year is named after an animal from the Rat to the Monkey. Also inextricably linked are the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Earth and Fire. Wood emerges this time round so we will be in the Year of the Wood Dragon.
We will see evolution, improvement and abundance.
Who’s to blame for all this malarkey?
Nian.
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