Each year, there will be a new Yearly God on duty, looking after all matters on earth.  His appointment would commence on the 1^st solar term – li chun.  And the next would take over the baton on the following li chun.

Each year there will be some zodiac with opposing forces with the Tai Sui.  It can be determined base on the earthly branch of the pillar of destiny.  It can further be classified under offend, clash and punishment with the Tai Sui.

This Year of Dragon in 2012, the Tai Sui is called 彭Peng-2 泰Tai-4.

In the Taoist practice, praying to the Tai Sui at the beginning of the Lunar Year seeking for protection and peace would deflect the negative impact for those who has offend, clash or punishment formation with the Tai Sui.

For the year of Dragon 2012, praying to Tai Sui is during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year.  The most ideal time for prayer is on 4 Feb 2012 which is the first solar term knwon as Li Chun.

In the Year of Dragon 2012, those born in the year of Dragon is in a offend formation with the Tai Sui.  And for those born in the Year of Dog is considered in a clash formation with the Tai Sui.  Lastly, for those born in the Year of Ox and Goat is in the punishment formation with the Great Duke Jupiter.

If one do not fall under the above category, the person’s pillar of destiny (ba zi) might still have clash, offend or punishment formation with the Tai Sui.

Part of the theory is also used in Feng Shui. In fact it is an important aspect of concern.  It is associated to the orientation of a premise determined using the Chinese Fengshui Compass known as Luo Pan marked with the 24 mountains.  The position of the Tai Sui changes every year.  The location where the Tai Sui resides should best be kept quiet with no disturbance.  Activities like renovation, ground breaking, earth digging, repairing and nailing on this area must be avoided till the following year.  If the Tai Sui is disturbed, misfortune would befall on the residence such as injuries, financial losses, business failure or sudden illnesses.  The impact varies according t the pillar of destiny.

In the year of Dragon, the Tai Sui is located at 112.5 to 127.5 degree of the Southeast known as the Mountain of Chen.  If the main entrance of a premise is located at this specific degree, slamming the door while opening and closing is also considered as disturbing the Tai Sui.

Dong Zhi normally falls between 21^st Dec to 23^rd Dec of the year.  This year, Dong Zhi is on the 22^nd Dec 2011, Singapore.

Dong Zhi has the shortest daylight of the year as the hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun.  For many cultures including the Chinese, this day represent treat of chilly air, long hours of darkness and seasonal affective disorder.

Base on the theory of yin and yang, the yin energy, which is at its most powerful, meets the yang energy at the Northern hemisphere and make their turning point, giving way to the light and warmth of yang.  For this reason, Dong Zhi is a time for hopefulness.

Chinese feast like a New Year on Dong Zhi as they celebrate the good year they have had.  It is also an occasion for family reunion and put on new clothing.  Some dishes are must to have on this day such as dumpling, sweat glutinous rice ball soup, red bean congee and wine.

Dumpling is belief to stimulate a person intellect and making the person more intelligent and hardworking for the year ahead.

Sweat Glutinous Rice Ball called Tang Yuan is a popular Chinese desert, which symbolize family unity and prosperity.  Many choose to eat 9 rice balls during Dong Zhi as 9 is the most Yang number and is a complete number for Chinese.

Red Bean Congee is belief to be able to ward of evil spirit, bad luck and troublemakers (xiao ren) for the coming year.

Wine is of course to keep warm and to keep the gathering into the long night.

On the day of Dong Zhi, it is important keep yourself warm as the yang energy on earth is unbalance, especially at the point of the change. This year, 2011, it will be at 13:01 Hour.  Anyone who falls ill on this day is belief to have bad fortune on the coming year.

Try some of the above dishes to keep warm and have a bountiful year ahead !

According to the I-Ching, the number 9 is the most yang number.  The appearance of double 9 symbolizes excessive yang, causing an imbalance.  As such, this date is a potentially dangerous day. 

The traditional practice is to place chrysanthemum flower or dogwood (zhuyu) in the house to ward off negative energy and prevent misfortune.  Consuming chrysanthemum tea or wine is commonly practice as it is said to be able to ward off bad health and ill fortune for this season. 

It is customary to go for mountain climbing as it symbolizes advancing in career to the highest level – 9. 

May you advance in everything you do!

Jing Zhe means awakening the insect. It was believed that on this day, all insects are awakening from their hibernation when a loud band of thunder strikes the earth and soon after the insects will harm the crops and the hungry tigers will hurt lives and thus people start praying for safety and good harvest by offering to the Tiger God.

And today, whoever wants to ward off backstabber and troublemakers will visit the temple to give offering to the Tiger God. A generous piece of raw pork, fresh duck eggs, greens beans, sesame seeds, joss stick, incense paper and offering set is used for the prayer. A handsome piece of raw pork is rubbing and placed on the Tiger’s mouth to symbolize feeding the Tiger. Throwing of green beans and sesame seeds on the ground is to chase away problems and trouble. To complete the offering, it’s to offer raw duck eggs, burning of joss sticks and incense paper of Guardians of nobility.

This year, Jing Zhe falls on 6^th March 2010, 00:46 Hour.

Li Chun is a term in the Chinese solar calendar.  Li Chun, also known as Da Chun, is the first term of the 24 solar terms.  It marks the beginning of the season of spring.  But it is not the 1^st day on the Lunar Calendar which we Chinese celebrate our Lunar New Year.  In ancient China, Li Chun is the day where farmers begin their work on the field after a long rest.  

Li Chun normally falls on the 3^rd or 4^th of February of the Gregorian calendar, the calendar commonly use today. 

 Base on the lunar calendar, the year of Ox in 2009 would commence on the 26 January 2009 and ends on 13 February 2010.  This would means there is two Li Chun within the year of Ox, which falls on 4 February 2009 and 4 February 2010.  It is referred to a year of double spring.  It is an auspicious sign promising good harvest and double good news or celebrations.  

If the Lunar New Year starts after the 1^st solar term – Li Chun, it would be referred to as a blind year or a widow year, like this year of Tiger in 2010.  This year of Tiger commence on 14 February 2010 and ends on 2 Feb 2011.  In the Chinese custom, it is a bad omen of unfavorable outcome or unsuccessful year.  Chinese would avoid marriage and giving birth in a blind year.

The Hungry Ghost Festival was a Taoist festival originated from the Southern Song Dynasty. During this period, many people worship their ancestors and appease the restless spirits.

Today, the festival is still taken seriously by the Chinese throughout the world. The Chinese celebrates by offering food, wine, joss sticks, paper money and clothes to their ancestors and the homeless spirits in hope for good fortune and luck. There are also series of activates carried out during the month to pleased the wandering ghosts. Activities are always carried out in the night like the wayang shows, outdoor performance and donations feast. The first performance of the wayang is meant for the wandering ghosts. All sits are left empty for them.

Thought out the month, people observed their speech, avoiding words like “ghosts” and “death”. Certain activities are avoided such as swimming, moving house and buying furniture. In addition, many people avoid late nights and children are advice not to wander around alone in the night as the wandering ghost might possess them.

In Buddhism, the Lunar 15th day of the 7th month is a significant day for children to practice filial piety towards our parents. This day is called the Sangha Pravarana Day. There is a touching story behind this practice. It is about a filial son who was a disciple of the Buddha, Mu Jian Lian (Venerable Maudgalyayana).

Mu Jian Lian’s mother became a hungry ghost after death due to her sinful karma. When the son discovers her suffering and could not do anything to save the mother, Mu seeks the Buddha’s advice. Under the guidance of the Buddha, Mu prepares the best daily necessities and offers them on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. The merit and virtues of this offering is incredible. Not only the parents of past lives be liberated but also our present parents who are still alive will be blessed with good health and longevity. This day is indeed the Day of Filial Piety!

The Chinese Lion, which are far different from the real ones, is a symbol of protection, authority, wisdom, and good fortune. You can find sculpture of Lions place in the frontage of temples, houses and buildings for these purposes.

The Lion Dance is normally performed together with musical ensemble consisting of a large drum, a gong and sets of cymbals. The rhythm is an expression of the mood and movement of the Lion. The loud music is meant to dispel evil and bringing good fortune.

In some performance, you may also find 1 or 2 Buddha wearing painted mask with large smile teasing the Lion.

The highlight of the Lion Dance is known as “Choi Cheng” or “Picking the Green” (direct translate to English). This is done by hanging the lettuce and red packet containing money above the door of the premise. The Lion will perform stunt to reach the “green” and “chew” it. After which, the Lion will split out the leaves which signify abundance wealth from all directions and good fortune in year to come.

Mandarin oranges are included in the performance during the Lunar New Year. The Lion will “peel” the oranges and use the pedal of the fruits to assemble into patterns as a symbol of blessing or auspicious Chinese character. Coconuts, live crabs and even fish are sometimes used for the performance. Each is suppose to symbolize something auspicious.

According to legend, the Zhi Nu, also known as the weaving maiden, met and fell in love with Niu Lang on one visit to the earth. Both of them got married. When the Jade Empress found out about their unity, Zhi Nu was ordered to return to heaven. Thus, separates from her mortal husband.

However, the Jade Empress took pity on the couple and allows them to meet once a year which is on the 7th night of the Lunar 7th moon. Magpies would line up to form a bridge on the sky which is the milky way for the loving couple to reunite once again. This day is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. It is also called Qi Qiao festival or Qi Xi.

On our sky, the two constellations of Lyra (Niu Lang) with Aquila (Zhi Nu) and Cyruns (The Bridge) would appear in the east about the time corresponding with the Qi Qiao festival. Take a look on the night sky at the end of this July. You may be able to view this beautiful formation.

In ancient China, it is important to follow these basic principles of the Three Letters and Six Etiquettes.

The Three Letters are the Betrothal Letter, Gift Letter and Wedding Letter. The Betrothal is a formal document of engagement. The Gift Letter is a list of quantity and gifts for the wedding and the bride’s identity. The Wedding Letter is prepared and given to the bride’s family as a formal acceptance of the bride into the bridegroom’s family

The Six Etiquettes are: Proposing, Birthday and Hour matching, Presenting betrothal gifts, Presenting wedding gifts, Picking auspicious wedding date and the Wedding ceremony.

There are other customary practice such as preparing the bridal bed, dowry, hair combing ceremony and etc which are meant to ward off negative and bless the couple with good fortune, happiness and abundant descendants.

Today, many traditional customs are being simplified or not in practice but some customs such as the picking auspicious dates, formal gift ceremony, bridal bed set up, tea ceremony, lighting up the Dragon and Phoenix Candle and hair combing ceremony are still observed. And all these are meant to give the new couple a jump start in the happily ever after.