2010 - The Year of the Tiger
Feb 14, 2010 through Feb 2, 2011
CLSA via WSJ: “Tiger years are typically marked by dramatic changes and even upheaval and 2010, much like the tiger itself, sees an energetic and powerful, but impulsive and risky, year ahead.”
NYPost: An Indian tiger swims at the Bangkok Zoo. Demand from a newly rich Asian population for goods such as tiger bone tonic wine and tigers’ skin, meat and teeth is putting pressure on these endangered creatures worldwide.
[Photo: Reuters]
Business
Per the WSJ, Feb 13, 2010, 12:09pm EST: Interesting short read, by the way, I recommend checking out the full article.
The Year of the Tiger is set to deliver gains to investors, but also volatility and it may be a boon for precious metals, according to feng shui analysis by CLSA. The brokerage firm is careful to characterize its report as “tongue-in-cheek,” but the fact is that many investors and business people in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan take feng shui and Chinese astrology very seriously.
Overall the outlook is bullish, with especially strong gains expected from September through the end of the year.
Tradition
From Blogher.com:
Clean house … literally. The house should be cleaned from top to bottom before the start of the New Year. If you can’t manage that, the least you must do is sweep the floors. By sweeping up the floor, you’re getting rid of your old luck and allowing for your new luck to flow into the house.
Pay off your debts. Obviously, not all debts can be paid off in one fail swoop. These days, we just make sure all our bills are paid and sent out before Chinese New Year day. Once again, it’s all about making sure your old debts and old luck are out the door so you can welcome in new wealth and luck. It’s kind of like starting out fresh.
Wear something lucky. Either something new, something red, or both: Red is the most honored color to the Chinese. It’s a symbol of wealth, luck, happiness and prosperity. Wearing something new is once again starting off fresh for the New Year. And with the date falling on Valentine’s Day this year, it all works out perfectly.
Do nothing. On Chinese New Year day you’re not supposed to lift a finger. Yup, you lay around all day, invite friends and family over, and just eat leftovers. Kind of sounds like Thanksgiving, doesn’t it? We do this because you’re not supposed to use any knives (you don’t want to cut off your luck, do you?), go near an open flame (bad luck), or wash anything (you’ll wash away your new luck!). No dishes. No laundry. Technically, you’re not supposed to wash your hair, but that’s not always a good idea these days.
Conservation
From the guardian.co.uk:
Since the last tiger year, in 1998, the wild population of the animal worldwide has almost halved to about 3,200 due to habitat loss, economic development, and poaching for hides and traditional medicine.
Many of these animals are isolated from one another by roads and railways, making it difficult for them to breed.
The conservation group WWF warns that the animal may be extinct in the wild in China within three decades if current trends continue. The tiger is the group’s priority for 2010.
NYPost: Three white tigers gather in an enclosure at the Singapore zoological garden. For the first time, to mark the Year of the Tiger, visitors will get the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how the white tigers are trained using conditioning to provide mental and behavioral stimulation for the animals. [Photo: AFP/Getty Images]
NYPost: A white tiger rests inside an enclosure at Beijing Zoo in Beijing, China. There are fewer than 50 wild tigers left in China today, living in Yunnan, Tibet, Jilin and Helongjiang, according to Xie Yan, the China program director of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The organization is working with the Chinese government to help protect Amur tigers from poachers and develop new survival habits. [Photo: AP]
Astrology [via: 1, 2, 3]
1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Best friendships are with those born in the year of the Horse, Dog, or Dragon
Best partners are with those born in the year of the Horse, Dog, Dragon, Pig, and Rabbit
The strength of Tigers makes them dynamic and courageous. Outspoken on every subject, they are still tolerant and sensitive to the opinions of others. Kind to their fellows, Tigers can be short-tempered if they don’t get their way. The Tiger balances between the passions and demands of the outside world and the comfort of home. They tend to be philosophers with great intellect and think most about themselves and their families. Protecting their interests and loved ones to the utmost, they are generous with their love and affection.
Tigers are fighters. They fight not only with the outside world, they also spar with themselves. They are always seeking the balance between their search for inner and outer peace on the one hand, and their career-driven mind on the other. They will walk through a fire for the right cause, and are not afraid to appear rebellious when they believe in ideas that go against the majority. Tigers will support everything and everyone they choose — in love, career, friends, etc. As friends, colleagues and lovers, they are loyal to the death … and even after. People admire the stripes of the tiger, their look and their talents, but are always a bit on edge with them, as one never knows exactly how a Tiger will react.
Pros: Tigers are incredibly sexy people, beautiful to most people and sensually romantic. The Tiger can be lovable, alluring, warm-hearted, altruistic, honorable, hard-working, pleasant, independent, engaging, dynamic, idealist, and sweet.
Cons: The Tiger can be rash, hot-headed, reckless, infatuated, quarrelsome, caustic, moody, predatory, rebellious, disobedient and irreverent rascals. Tigers are especially turned off by not getting enough recognition for their efforts, being inferior to others at work, or impolite people.
Occupations: Tigers make excellent Actors, Comedians, Chauffeurs, Musicians, Race Car Drivers, Pilots, Artists, Writers, Flight Attendants, Travel Agents, Advertising Agents, Office Managers
