Kung Hei Fat Choi
Or “Congratulations and be prosperous” as Chinese New Year is almost upon us. However it is also the day not to be buying new shoes as this is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word “shoes” is a homophone for the word “rough” in Cantonese, or “evil” in Mandarin. So I will resist the urge to buy shoes on the 7th February!
Still, at least there is one good thing - it is bad luck to sweep the floor, so the housework will have to have been done by then (fortunately for me, my cleaner works on Wednesdays so my house will be sorted for Chinese New Year).
This will be the Year of the Rat who are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking.
However, if like me, you were born under the Ox , then you are blessed with the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Apparently, this sign is a born leader, quite dependable and possesses an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint [Wikipedia].
Er - on second thoughts, maybe I was born in a different year…