Celebrating the Lunar New Year is an event that is steeped
in
traditions. And it is certainly true to say that these traditions and
customs vary from household to household, each depending on where the
roots of the family originally springs from. But there are several
customs that are observed by almost every Chinese family which
include:
1)
Closing Door on the New Year's Eve
2)
Opening Door on the New Year's Day
3)
Receiving the God of Fortune
4)
First Outing of the New Year
5)
Commencement of Business
6)
You & Deity of "Tai Sui"
7)
Houses & Deity of "Tai Sui"
We sought the advice of noted Geomancer Master Ong
Thiam Peng on the most auspicious dates and times to carry out the
above so that you will know how to get on the right foot in the
Chinese New Year.
1)
Closing the door on Chinese New Year's Eve
2)
Opening the door on Chinese New Year's Day
|
Events
|
Date
|
Time
|
|
Closing Door
|
13th February 2010
|
10.45
pm
|
|
Opening Door
|
14th February 2010
|
12.18 am
|
The tradition of closing the door on the eve
signifies the very last act that the household performs for the
outgoing year and, in a way, it is done in preparation to welcome the
year that will soon arrive. Master Ong says "We must carried out
choose the most auspicious hour
to close the door on the eve, so as to enable an
auspicious first opening of the
door to welcome the New Year." For houses, the main gate is the
symbol of the main entry and exit point, and for apartment dwellers,
it is, of course, the main door.
3)
Offerings to Ancestors and Receiving the God of Fortune
This
third aspect must surely be of interest to almost all of us. After
all, it is the God of Fortune who is involved and, if we have his
blessing, then there is the chance of being blessed with good fortune!
Apart
from observing the auspicious time for making offerings to the
Ancestor and the God of Fortune. There
is also a specific direction to pray or to receive the God of Fortune
that changes every year.
|
Event
|
Date
|
Time
|
Direction
|
|
Offerings
to Ancestor
|
14th February 2010
|
12.18am to 12.45am
|
|
|
Receiving God of Fortune
|
14th February 2010
|
12.18am to 12.45am
|
South
|
4)
First Outing of the New Year
|
Event
|
Date
|
Time
|
Direction
|
|
First Outing
|
14th February 2010
|
6.18
am
|
South
|
The first outing for the New Year is where an individual or
the family makes its first journey out of the house. This 'first outing' is very
important as it symbolizes the very first step taken in the New Year
and, therefore, must be done correctly so that all future undertakings
will be smooth and harmonious.
Master Ong emphasis very much on this customary
and equate to receiving 'Red Packet from Heaven'. He says "If it
is properly carried out, one can receive unexpected good results during
the year. According to historical records, this customary is
well observed by Chinese Emperors."
(* Note: It is the direction of your residence and not
specific part of a certain country - Singapore!)
5)
Commencement of work and business during the New Year
Finally, for the career and business minded, here
are the best dates to commence work or conduct the first commerce for
the New Year:
|
Date
|
Auspicious
/ Inauspicious
|
Auspicious
Time
|
Conflict
Animals
|
|
17th February 2010
|
Average
|
10.15am
to 10.45am |
Dragon
|
|
18th February 2010
|
Very
Auspicious
|
06.30am
to 06.45am
11.15am to 11.45am
|
Snake
|
| 25th February 2010
|
Very
Auspicious |
10.15am
to 10.45am |
Rat
|
|
Name
of "Tai Sui"
|
Animals
at Odds with "Tai Sui"
|
|
Surname: Wu ; Name: Huang
|
Tiger,
Snake,
Monkey & Pig
|
Master Ong also points out another aspect to look
out for and this has to do with the deity of Tai Sui, a high-ranking
deity in the celestial realm. Due to zodiacal alignment, certain
zodiac animal will be at odds with the deity, he warns. His advice
is to adopt a low profile and avoid occasions such as marriages and
funerals, and to refrain from renovation work. Master Ong also advises
these people to make offerings to the deity at major temples within
the first fortnight of the New Year and to give thanks again before
the year is over.
6A)
People of the following zodiac animal
sign must avoid witnessing cremation or buried
possession.
| 1959 pig; 1944 & 1968 & 2004 monkey; 1977
snake, 1986 tiger; 1995 pig. |
7)
Houses & Deity of "Tai Sui"
|
Houses
at Odds with "Tai Sui"
|
Consequences
|
|
Facing
North-east
|
Conflict
with Deity
|
|
Facing South-west
|
Offended
the Deity
|
Houses or buildings with the following orientations may encounter unfavorable
tidings and misfortune:
A ) Those facing North-east will
be in direct conflict with Tai Sui
B) Those facing South-west will
deem to have offended Tai Sui
Owners constructing
dwellings, or occupants in houses or buildings with the above
orientations are advised not to undertake building renovation works
during the year . If work must be carried out, please seek the
advice of professional geomancers before commencement.
Home owners are further
advise not to nails on the wall of those two specific corners of the house
or office.
*
We had witness many cases of calamities and disasters at home or
office that were cause by ignoring the above
advice. Do pay attention!
Master Ong and
all at I Ching Geomancy Centre wishes one and all a happy and
prosperous year of the Tiger - 2010!
