29 January 2025

YEAR OF THE SNAKE (In the Chinese calendar it's 4723) A year for reflection, planning and searching answers. A good time for shrewd dealings, political affairs and coups d'etat. People will be more likely to scheme and ponder over matters before acting on them. An auspicious year for commerce and industry. Solutions and compromises can be arrived at, but not without some mutual distrust at first. The Snake likes to resolve his differences one way or another. If he fails and things cannot be peacefully settled, then he will declare war. Looking back into history, we find that the year of the Snake has never been tranquil. Perhaps this is because it is the strongest negative force in the cycle and it follows the Dragon year, which is the strongest positive one. Many disasters which had their beginning in the year of the Dragon tend to culminate in the year of the Snake. These two signs are very closely related and the calamities of the Snake years often resulted from excesses committed during the Dragon's reign. This will be a lively time for romance, courtship and scandals of all sorts. A good year to pursue the arts. Fashion will become more elegant and fluid; music and the theatre will blossom; and people will strive for a more sophisticated life. Notable contributions will also be made by science and technology. The venerable wisdom of the Snake will be evident in many facets of our life, particularly in those requiring decisions. Although everything may look refreshingly quiet on the surface, the year of the Snake is always unpredictable. The Snake's cool and collected front hides the deep and mysterious ways of his nature. It should be noted that once the Snake uncoils to strike, he moves like lightning and nothing can stop him. Similarly, changes that occur during the Snake's year can be as sudden and devastating. Tread lightly and be more cautious this year. Gambling and speculation is strictly taboo. The consequences will be overwhelming. The Snake is not merciful. Whatever else happens, the Snake will give us faith in our convictions and coerce us to act and to act forcefully during his reign. This is not a year for fence-sitters. Theodora Lau The Story of the 12 animals The Chinese Zodiac

Popular Chinese New Year Greetings

1. New Year goodness! 新年好 / 新年好 ( Xīn nián hao ) In Mandarin: sshin-nyen haow In Cantonese: sen-nin haow 2. Happy New Year! 新年快乐 ( Xīn nián kuài lè ) In Mandarin: sshin-nyen kwai le In Cantonese: sen-nin fai lok 3. Happiness and prosperity! 恭喜发财 / 恭喜發財 ( Gōngxi fācái ) In Mandarin: gong-sshee faa-tseye In Cantonese: Kunghei fatchoy gong-hey faa-chwhy 4. A steady rise to high places! — "on the up and up" 步步高升 / 步步高陞 ( Bùbù gāoshēng ) In Mandarin: boo-boo gaoww-shnng In Cantonese: b oh-boh goh-sshin