It’s the Chinese Lunar New Year and this year is the Year of the Metal Ox.

What does that mean?!

The Chinese zodiac has twelve signs (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig) and five elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal). It also cycles through the signs and elements so each year has a different combination.

The Year of the Ox is about endurance. It’s no longer just about survival but about anchoring ourselves and concretizing our dreams.

What brings Ox luck this year?

The Chinese believe that certain symbols, directions and colors are auspicious for each zodiac sign. This can apply to those born as that sign as well as for all of us during that particular zodiac year. During the Year of the Ox, those are…

Colors: Blue, Yellow, Green

Numbers: 1, 4

Flowers: Lily of the Valley, Lucky Bamboo

Directions of auspiciousness: East, Southeast

Directions of wealth: Northwest

Directions of love: South

Do I believe any of this?

Sure. Why not?

When I moved in with George I put a lucky red envelope filled with coins under the front door mat and he ‘caught’ me in the act. I said, “If it works, we are ahead, and if it doesn’t, what does it matter.

Kung hei fat choy!