7th Day - Happy Birthday to Everyone!

Source: Wikipedia

Today, Feb 3, is the 7th day of the new year of the Rooster. And today is officially the beginning of Spring.

The 7th Day of the first month of the lunar year is known as the common man's birthday. In Mandarin it is termed “renri” (人日), while in Cantonese it is 'Yan Yat'. The belief is that everyone becomes one year older on this day. Yes, that's an egg on the Chinese calendar.

Chinese restaurants will be fully booked for dinner tonight. That's a norm. We are only at midway of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration and dinner gatherings are still ongoing until the 15rh day.

Many people are back at work but many will only return to work on Monday taking extra days off stretching it to the weekend for an extended holiday.

Shopping malls are enjoying a good crowd with their Chinese New Year decorations of phoenixes and lanterns. Here are some nice Chinese New Year decorations in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya (i.e. the Klang Valley), and Penang courtesy of Says.com.

A majestic phoenix at Pavilion KL
Image via Instagram @ndrewsnowdon

The Curve's imperial setup features the gorgeous carvings of Chinese and dragons, embellished in brilliant gold and deep red
Image via The Curve, Mutiara Damansara Facebook

Sunway Pyramid turned their concourse into a multi-level shoplot of yesteryears, complete with Chinese signage and a gigantic rooster statue
Image via Instagram @andrew_movez

It's red lanterns galore at 1 Utama Shopping Centre with a grand centrepiece for special performances throughout the festive season
Image via 1 Utama Shopping Centre Facebook

A scenic sight greets shoppers at The Mines Shopping Mall as they step into a traditional Chinese garden, complete with classic Chinese huts and a garden pond
Image via The Mines Shopping Mall Facebook

In line with the spring festival, intricate lanterns and floral motifs line the pathways of Mid Valley Megamall's CNY attraction
Image via Instagram @nic_kn9ck

In Penang, Queensbay Mall sets Chinese New Year in a winter setting to simply glorious results.
Image via Queensbay Mall Facebook

Lush greenery and blooming flowers surround a 20-ft tall phoenix at Gurney Plaza
Image via Gurney Plaza Facebook

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5th Day of Chinese New Year 2017 -Year of the Rooster

The night is still young, so they say, as today is just the 5th Day of the Chinese Lunar Year. We still have 10 more days of merry-making - of lo sang at dinners, of wining, of collecting/giving ang pows, of meeting up with friends and family, of card games and mahjong sessions, of visiting relatives near and far, and of just about everything else synonymous with this celebration of welcoming the new year.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful time, those of you who are celebrating this most important festival in the Chinese calendar.

Today is February 1. It is a public holiday for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan which means offices and government departments in these three FTs are closed which allows for an additional day for festivities of the new lunar year.

Streets of Kuala Lumpur are still not as congested as usual but at the malls it's a different story. People come from near and far (even as far away as from Penang) to KL to check out the malls to take in the elaborate decorations put up. A great place for selfies and wefies, no doubt.


Today, let's take a look at how Chinese New Year is celebrated in some other cities around the world. By the way, did you know that there are an estimated 50 million Overseas Chinese?. This is the number indicated by Wikipedia for the year 2012. Thailand has the highest number at close to 9.4 million. Malaysia comes in second at more than 6.6 million and next is United States at about 5 million.

In Yokohama, Japan: A Chinese lion dance troupe performs at a park in Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The dragon dance performance in a street parade to mark the Lunar New Year celebrations of the Year of the Rooster in Hong Kong on January 28, 2017. - AFP

The Chinese dragon performance during the first Lunar New Year celebrations in Lumpini Park in Bangkok on January 28, 2017. The Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Rooster. - AFP

Participants dressed up as roosters hold Spanish flags as they perform during celebrations for the Chinese Lunar New Year, marking the year of the Rooster, in Madrid's district of Usera on January 28, 2017. - AFP

Members of the Chinese community perform on stage during the celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year on January 28, 2017 in Rome. This Lunar New Year marks the start of the Year of the Rooster. - AFP

Children perform a lion dance using cardboard boxes on a street in Manila's Chinatown on January 28, 2017. - AFP

Yangon, Myanmar: A fire breather blows flames as a troupe performs a traditional dragon dance during the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year

In Kuala Lumpur - A Lion dance troupe performing at the MCA Chinese New Year Open House at Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang.

Children gathered around the lion dance troupe at the MCA Chinese New Year Open House at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday.  - AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

Again..

Image source: The Star

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Lucky colours to wear in 2017 - Year of the Rooster

We touched on Auspicious Days to Start Work in the new lunar year in the previous post. Now, let's see what are the suggested colors to wear and use to enhance good fortune and well-being in the Year of the Rooster.

As with all things celebratory, red is the predominant color in Chinese culture, more so for Chinese New Year which falls on Jan 28, 2017. Red clothing (of course), red lanterns and decorative ornaments including red spring couplets that carry auspicious phrases, and not forgetting ang pows, those red envelopes with lucky money inside.

Besides red, purple has also been recommended in this Year of the Rooster.

In 2017, the Year Of The Fire Rooster, Hong Kong feng shui master Mak Ling Ling says everyone should use more red or purple colored items to create good fortune – it’s as simple as that she says.

Below is what the feng shui master shared in her video.

Birth signs that clash with Tai Sui (see footnote below) in this Year of the Rooster are Dog, Rabbit, Rat and Rooster.

Mak Ling Ling advised that those who offend or rather whose birth sign clashes with Tai Sui should use red or purple objects to attract luck and appease Tai Sui.

She suggests that you can

Watch the video..


If you want to get lucky in love, here are the master's tips..



Today is the 3rd Day of Chinese New Year. Read about the significance of the 3rd Day of Chinese New Year


* Tai Sui, also known as Grand Duke Jupiter or Grand Commander of the Year, is one of the most highly respected and feared deities in the Chinese belief system.

It is believed that if your Zodiac sign clashes with the Tai Sui (normally considered as offended him) for that lunar year, bad luck will befall you for the whole year, the whole lunar year, that is..

In order to have a good and peaceful year, one would need to pay one's respects to the Tai Sui. This is normally done in a temple. And at the end of the lunar year, those who have done this ritual will go back to the temple to thank him for what is normally referred to as 'pay back to Tai Sui' - sort of like thanking him for a smooth past year.

2017 Auspicious days to start work after Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival is steeped in tradition and beliefs.

Choosing an auspicious date to get married, for instance, is still practised today in a traditional Chinese-ethnic family.

Choosing a good date to move house or to move into a new business premise is also common. To reap optimum results, it requires not only choosing the date but even down to the time-frame of that date. All this is related to harnessing the good effects of Feng Shui.

Likewise, to ensure a good year ahead in the new lunar year, choosing the right or auspicious day to begin work after the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is desirable. It is believed that one may have a smoother, less-hassle year ahead if one starts work on an auspicious date.

Now what's a good/auspicious day to start work after the Chinese New Year?

This Feng Shui site suggests three options:

Option 1: 1 Feb, 2017 - 5th Day, 9am – 11am. The best of the best timing will be 9:30-9:40am.

This date is specifically good for people who are born in the year of Ji or ends with 9. e.g. 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989 etc. Using this date and time for activation will bring in good career. Note: most people can use this date and time, just that this date/time is better for those born in the year of Ji.


Option 2: 1 Feb, 2017, 5th Day, between 11am – 1pm. The best timing will be 12:40 – 12:50 pm.

This date is specifically good for people who are born in the year of Geng or end with 0. e.g 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 etc. Using this date and time for activation of calm mind for handling of stressful matters. Note: most people can use this date and time, just that this date/time is better for those born in the year of Geng.


Option 3: 2 Feb, 2017 - 6th Day, between 7-9am. The best timing will be 7:30am.

This date is specifically good for people who are born in the year of Geng or end with 0. e.g 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 etc. Using this date and time for activation will bring in prospect in career and relationship. Note: most people can use this date and time, just that this date/time is better for those born in the year of Geng.


Here's another series of options as suggested by Joey Yap. Start work on the 4th day (31 Jan), 6th day (2 Feb), 12th day (8 Feb) or 14th day (10 Feb) - at 9:30AM for a smooth-sailing year ahead.

Today is the 2nd Day of the 15-day celebration.


May the new lunar year of the Fire Rooster bring you Happiness, Good Health and Prosperity!


Next up we'll take a look at auspicious colors in the new year of the Rooster. Stay tuned.

Today is Chinese New Year 2017 - Year of the Rooster

Here's

And may the new year bring you bountiful good tidings and may all your dreams and hopes come true..

Chinese New Year (commonly known here in Malaysia or rather this part of the world, including Singapore) is celebrated over 15 days. Today is the First Day. Every day of this Spring Festival has its own significance. Read about the significance of the First day of Chinese New Year.


Next up is Auspicious Day(s) to start work in the new Year of the (Fire) Rooster - 2017. Stay tuned.

Michelle Obama - final remarks as First Lady of the United States of America

In the earlier post on Barack Obama's final address. I said I would follow up with Michelle Obama's speech at the White House. So here it is, emotional and inspiring..

First Lsdy Michelle Obama delivered her final remarks as First Lady of the United States at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year, an event recognizing the 2017 School Counselor of the Year.

School Counselor of the Year is an annual White House tradition started in 2015 as part of her Reach Higher initiative.