Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

  Today begins the beginning of the Lunar New Year. For my family, it is the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Tiger , or more specifically  the Year of the Black Water Tiger.  There are many predictions published about  what this new year will bring.  ( just try Google - Year of the Tiger )  While individual predictions vary according to  your birth year and  your Chinese Z odiac animal, there is a general agreement amongst astrologers who say the tiger denotes strength, vitality and growth. These are qualities that will hopefully stand us all in good stead as we look to move past the uncertainty of COVID-19 in the past couple of years .  Here is a guide to find out  your own Chinese Zodiac animal  - Always check the new year's date if you are born in the early months of the year,  because t he first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. According to your year of ...

Happy Chinese New Year - Kung hei fat choy.   Welcome to the Year of the Pig.  If you were born in the Year of the Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019) - what wonderful people you are ....  Men born in the Pig year are optimistic and gentle. They are very focused. Once they decide on a goal, they’ll put everything into it.  Women born in the Pig year are full of excitement. They attend social events whenever possible and treat everyone genuinely. Combined with their easygoing personality, they gain everyone’s trust. Have a great year, one and all.

Today begins the Lunar Year of the Dog... I started well  last week preparing my greeting cards  incorporating 'red' in my art works in time for giving and posting. Why are these so red?  Most of you can answer that as it is commonly known that the colour red for Chinese symbolises  good fortune and happiness. It is certainly the Chinese celebratory colour - unavoidable during Chinese New Year and other traditional and official holidays. Being the year of the dog, so many cute images of dogs appear in both traditional and contemporary New Year designs. I used Christmas Island stamps on my cards. The stylised  patterned image of a little dog is adapted from the Chinese character -very modern and festive.  Although I think the little red dog looks pensive, it is certainly a lovable and a reassuring  image. This thoughtful dog image certainly fits with what  Chinese astrologer Linda Lau predicts for this year.. .. (from  https://www....

Happy New Year  - I am sure you haven't missed the beginning of the  Lunar Year  - 2017 , the Year of the Rooster , in fact the Fire Rooster. I have in the past written many articles about celebrating the Chinese or Lunar New Year  in this blog - Year of the Monkey , Year of the Sheep/Goat , Year of the Snake , Year of the Dragon , Year of the Tiger .  I have often discussed lucky foods, family activities, the Do's and Don'ts of New Year celebrations and traditions. However, this year, how about some numbers?  THE LITTLE NUMBERS  3  The  official number of  public holidays for the New year Festival  although many workers have 7 days leave.  8   is considered to be a lucky Chinese number. Besides all of the other delicious foods created for the New Year celebration, it is customary to offer friends who visit during the two week period, a 'tray of togetherness' - a  snack platter. This platter has 8 separate div...