`One thing is for sure, this will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the utmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement. The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends’. - Astrologer, Theodora Lau
THE halls of the otherwise sombre but palatial Chinese Embassy last Monday evening reverberated with laughter and general camaraderie as the local Chinese community kicked off traditional celebrations of the annual Spring Festival, known outside the Occident as Chinese New Year, in heady anticipation of the coming of the Year of the Monkey.
The occasion was a cocktail reception to mark the event, the highlight of which, outside of the usual mouthwatering Chinese fare perhaps, was a short cultural presentation showcasing some of the more well-known customs associated with Chinese culture.
The show opened with a miniaturised version of the traditional ‘Lion Dance’, said to be among the more spectacular items on the event’s calendar of activities, by members of the Chinese Association. Its purpose, it is said, is to frighten away evil spirits and bring good luck.
This little caper was followed by a solo item, ‘Sad Movies’ surprisingly, and a physical display by an exponent in the art of Shadow Boxing, one of the not-so-popular forms of martial arts. Both items were done by members of the Chinese local Mission here in Georgetown.
As the evening progressed, guests, among them members of the diplomatic community and key government officials, were treated to snippets of Chinese opera and pop, and other aspects of Chinese martial arts as they slaked their thirst on either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
To cap things off for the evening, ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Military Band teamed up with their Chinese counterparts to render a number of musical items, including ‘Do-Re-Mi’, made popular by Julie Andrews in the musical, Sound of Music; ‘Jingle Bells’ ; and the national song, ‘My Guyana Eldorado’.
As they were leaving, many of them high on ‘motai’, a rather fragrant drink reputedly made of eight to nine different blossoms and fruits, guests were encouraged to take with them little packets of wall, window, and door decorations with special good-luck messages, in addition to other little keepsakes.
According to the Hong Kong Board of Tourism, the Spring Festival is the oldest, most elaborate, colourful and important of all Chinese festivals. It is also the longest, and traditionally lasts two whole weeks. During this period, it is said, it is not unusual to see towns and villages gaily festooned with coloured lanterns, flowers and bright-coloured banners emblazoned with New Year greetings.
Flowers are also very integral to this season, as they are not only used for decorative purposes but are also symbolic of good luck, prosperity and high position. Fresh flowers are especially associated with rebirth and new birth. Among the most sought-after blooms at this time are the peach blossom, narcissus, peony and pussy willow, as is the azalea, and water lily, all native to China and said to be hot items at the annual New Year Flower Market at Hong Kong’s Victoria Park.
Firecrackers, banned here in Guyana, is another must-have at this time of year, as like the ‘Lion Dance’, the noise is believed to not only drive away evil spirits but attract the attention of the benevolent among the Gods as well.
Without them also, one cannot very well ring out the old and ring in the new year, same as we do here in Guyana, as custom decrees, as is the habit of leaving every door and window open come midnight on New Year’s Eve to allow the old year and its misfortunes to pass out unhindered, and dressing in new clothes the following day.
Among foods, fish, chicken and noodles rank high, as they represent togetherness, abundance and success, prosperity, and long life, in that order. In the line of fruits, it is the tangerine and the orange, the former for good luck and the latter for wealth. Peanuts suggest long life and the humble coconut, togetherness. The lychee, a sinfully sweet fruit rarely found here is said to be indicative of strong family ties.
Meanwhile, astrologer, Theodora Lau in her Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, foresees a very auspicious year ahead, in that anything is possible with the capricious monkey at the helm of things.
“Everything will be workable this year. At least the agile Monkey will not give up before trying every angle,” Lau says.
“There will be success, even in impossible ventures, [as well as] inventions and improvisations galore. Politics, diplomacy, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game with everyone trying to out bluff each other.”
In short, she says, we’re in for “a rather amusing and exciting time, in which everyone will be given the opportunity to try his hand at the game. No direct confrontation here, as the Monkey is one who can laugh off his mistakes and improve his bargaining prowess in the next round.”
It is also “a year that will find us all trying to get a better deal, by outsmarting the other man. It his hard to keep track of who is winning, as the right hand has no idea of what the left hand us up to. One thing is for sure, this will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the utmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement. The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends. It is definitely not a year for the faint-hearted or slow-witted. The Monkey gives no concessions and asks none in return.”
Business-wise, Lau says “if there is a recession, the ‘Year of the Monkey’ will quickly put an end to it. Business will skyrocket under his optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone”.
Interestingly enough, she said, America was born in the ‘Year of the Fire Monkey’, 1776. This, she says, perhaps explains her phenomenal growth and fantastic achievements within so short a time.
In conclusion, Lau says the ‘Year of the Monkey' will bring many new and unconventional ways of doing things. The motto this year, she suggests, should be: Don't take No for an answer!
The last time that little imp showed its face was in 1992.