Say goodbye to the Year of the Rat! Hello Year of the Metal Ox!
Oxen are symbols of persistence and honesty. In Chinese culture, the Ox is a faithful friend that makes great contributions! People born in the Year of the Ox are industrious, cautious, hold their faith firmly, and always glad to offer help. To prove that point, the old Chinese myth goes like this – the Jade Emperor was declaring the order of the signs based on the order of arrival of the 12 animals. The Rat somehow talked the Ox into giving him a ride, he obliged and then right at the last minute, the Rat jumped off and ran into the palace declaring himself number one! That tells us a lot about the energy of the the last year as opposed to this year.
No matter what, we always want to bring in the New Year with a clean slate! Personally, I’ve been cleaning for days, tying up loose ends and getting things in order! If that doesn’t appeal to you or you just don’t have time, then just have fun throughout the weekend with family and friends. Whether you are on Zoom, over the phone or in person, all those avenues can still put a smile on your face and a laugh in your belly.
Now onto how to prep!
By New Year’s Eve, you should have done the following:
- Clean the entire home to get rid of all the things that are associated with the old year.
- Put away all brooms and brushes.
- Pay debts.
- Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbors and business associates.
- Buy oranges (good health and long life), tangerines (long relationships, fruitful and multiply for having children or persimmons (happiness and wealth).
- Fresh flowers, if a flower blooms on New Year’s Day this is a sign of prosperity all year.
- Get together with close family members for the “reunion” dinner.
- Open every door and window in your home at midnight of New Year’s Eve to let go of the old year.
On New Year’s Day:
- Do not lend any money, otherwise you’ll be lending all year.
- Do not use foul language or unlucky words, like the word ‘four” which is the word for death, don’t talk about death or ghosts on this day.
- Do not reference the past year or things in the past, only speak of the coming year.
- Wear new clothes or shoes, especially bright red.
- Eat candy in the morning for luck and also fish and chicken during the day.
- Don’t wash your hair.
- Do not cry on New Year’s Day or you will cry throughout the whole year.
- Don’t sweep the floor.
- Don’t greet people who are in mourning.
- Don’t drop your chopsticks.
- Do not use knives or scissors.
- The first person you meet or first words heard are indicative of the setting of the whole year.
Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy! Be well, stay safe and find your happy!
