This year’s Chinese New Year  will be celebrated on Friday 12 February 2021 and will welcome the Metal Ox. The Ox, which represents hard work, positivity and honesty, occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

According to Feng Shui masters, 2021 is going to be a good year for those who are hard working people. Thanks to the Yin energy, specific to the Chinese zodiac sign of Ox, it seems that 2021 is a year when all problems can be solved with discipline, a lot of discipline! So don’t be shy on doubling your efforts as they will be rewarded.

Also here are a few tips  to help bring luck to your household:

• To welcome the new year, people will clean and tidy their houses a week before the festivities start (also called Chinese Spring Cleaning).
• Traditional decorations such as couplets are hung outside doorways bestowing good luck on the occupants of the house. Children look forward to receiving the famous red envelopes known as “lai xi” which contain “lucky money”.
• To explode firecrackers (not allowed in Hong Kong) will help “sound out” the old year and “sound in” the new one.
• On this day, families will also visit a temple to pay respects and make offerings to their ancestors.
• If you have the opportunity, do not miss the Dragon dance as in Chinese astrology, Dragons are meant to bring good luck and represent wisdom, wealth and power.

On Chinese New Year’s day, it is taboo to:
o Eat porridge as it brings poverty
o Wash your hair and clothes as washing takes away good luck
o Talk about death as it might bring death

Are you ready for the festivities? If you wish to learn more about Chinese celebrations and traditions, contact us at contact@hkalacarte.com.