GOOD fortune will be bountiful during the reign of the Wood Dragon, which begins with the celebration of the Chinese New Year on Saturday.
In an interview with The Manila Times Lifestyle, master geomancer Patrick Lim Fernandez of New World Makati's Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony said the good luck will not be limited to those who are born in the Year of the Dragon.
"This is still a year of growth in general, after all, so that each person should strive to discover that area of growth most applicable to them and work towards that," Fernandez said.
The opportunities will differ from one person to the next.
"Some people may find growth in their career, or maybe their relationships or even their family's health," he said. "To identify that area, look deep within and discover what is important to you at this present time, grow your awareness and skill in that area that will help not just you but also your loved ones thrive and improve this part of your life, not just this year but for the years to come."
Among the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon "is one of the luckiest and most powerful" since it symbolizes "strength, power, bravery, and creativity," Fernandez said.
In west mythology, dragons are portrayed as fierce, evil creatures. The Chinese, however, worship them as the wisest of animals.
"The evolution of the dragon came to be because of the different tribes within the Chinese culture. Each one had an important animal sign, and it wasn't always the dragon.
"For one tribe, it was the ox. For another, it was the rabbit or the tiger and so on. Eventually, the Chinese dragon would [grow] the claws of a tiger, the eyes of a rabbit, and the scales of a serpent," Fernandez said.
"It's important to note, though, that each sign has its own strengths and weaknesses. So try to find those strengths and maximize it for the year," he said.
The geomancer said many couples ask him if it is true that giving birth to a child during a dragon year will assure its good fortune.
"It isn't always automatic," he said. "There are times when the actual day the baby is born is the one that matters more because there may still be clashing elements to be found on particular days."
The signs of certain family members may also not be in harmony with the dragon, he said. "There are instances when having a dragon in the family may not actually be good, like, for example, when one of the parents or a sibling was born in the year of the dog, which is the sign most in conflict with the dragon. They'll automatically clash."
Fernandez said it has become "a popular practice for couples in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong who want to be sure that their dragon babies are lucky to first consult the Chinese calendar or a feng shui master before they book for Caesarian sections."
While regal green is considered the lucky color in the Year of the Wood Dragon, Fernandez said wearing red or any bright color is still ideal in welcoming the new year. Even underwear should be new.
Some other practices generally believed to bring luck and prosperity for the year ahead include getting a haircut or a trim before 12:01 midnight to signify leaving the "old" behind, including all the bad vibes and undesirable events that took place in 2023.
It is also considered good practice to fill rice containers to the brim on the eve of the Chinese New Year. And while Filipino tradition calls for 12 different kinds of round fruits to be placed on the dining table for prosperity, the Chinese require only five kinds of fruits, laid out in even numbers.
As always, the giving out of the ang pao or red money envelopes with P168 inside is deemed good practice. The envelopes should be given exactly on New Year's Day, during which households should avoid the use of brooms and vacuum cleaners so as not to "sweep" good luck away.
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