Gong Xi Fa Cai! The Lunar New Year is around the corner, on February 8th. Discover what this year brings from the team at Tory Daily — with a little expert help from New York Feng Shui Master Mr. Siu, a longtime friend of company. Here, we share his insight and compiled a handy tip sheet on things to do (and avoid!) to ensure a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.


This year is the Year of the Monkey — Fire Monkey, to be exact. Every year ushers in another zodiac sign — each symbolized by different animals; there are 12 in all — as well as one of the elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth). The last Monkey sign was 12 years ago, the Wood Monkey, and it’ll return in 12 more years, in 2028, as an Earth Monkey.

This year will impact Monkeys the most, as well as the Tiger since the two are directly opposite to each other on the zodiac. Monkeys include those born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992; Tigers, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998. Both, Mr. Siu warns, should be extra careful during this year.

Lucky Directions
Southwest, “to greet the God of Fortune,” says Mr. Siu, and East “for the God of Wealth.” He also advises avoiding certain directions, namely the Northeast. You can start by examining the direction of your bed at home; make sure the headboard doesn’t have its back to the Northeast — or, in other words, where your feet are directed towards the Southwest. Use a compass and check the direction of your desk at work, too; here, your back shouldn’t be against the Northeast. If you can’t actually move the desk, then slightly shift the direction you face.

Lucky Colors
Red and purple — they’ll strengthen your luck and give you good qi.

Lucky Flowers
Narcissus, lily, peony and peach blossom.

Lucky Times
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the best times to go outside are from 5:00 AM to 11:AM and from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM. Avoid 3 PM to 5 PM.

Chinese New Year Dos & Don’ts

Clean and tidy up your house before the new year. It’s a symbolic gesture, too: You’re cleaning out the old to have a new beginning. Look forward to the good things…

The day before the Lunar New Year, make sure to throw out any and all garbage because on New Year’s Day, it’s considered bad luck to do so — even to dust or sweep the floor. As the superstition goes, you don’t want to accidentally toss out any good fortune that day.

You can resume garbage disposal the day after — but there’s a proper way to do it. Instead of, say, sweeping the dirt outward and over the threshold of the door — that’s a no-no during the celebration season — you sweep from the door inwards to the center of the room. The dirt and debris, piled in the middle, should then be put in a garbage bag and carried out.

Get a haircut in advance of the new year — it’s considered good luck. On the flip side, don’t cut your hair on New Year’s Day because — you can see where this is going — you don’t want to snip away your luck. Similarly, tradition warns against washing your hair or showering on New Year’s Day (so you don’t wash away the fortune, naturally).

Also bad luck? Using scissors or knives or needles — or any sharp object really. Put them away on New Year’s Day.

Make sure to clear all your debts before the new year, and on New Year’s Day don’t ask to borrow or lend any money. According to superstition, what you do that day will set the tone for the rest of the year.

…and by this same token, no crying! If you cry on New Year’s Day, you’ll be crying for the rest of the year. And no cursing or scolding either. All of which makes the Lunar New Year a prime holiday for kids since, one, they’re spared from punishment when they misbehave and, two, parents want to steer them from any tears and bawling.

On New Year’s Eve, stay up late — past midnight to ring in the new year. It’s as much a tradition in the East as the West, but there’s an extra layer here. Doing so brings good fortune to your parents — it’s symbolic of watching over your parents from the old year to the new.

恭喜发财!农历新年即将到来。查看 Tory Daily,了解公司多年好友,即纽约风水大师萧先生,探索团队如何在他的专业指导下展现新年新气象。在此,我们将他的风水诠释(禁忌事项)整理成文,与大家共同分享,谨祝您新年快乐,身体健康,万事如意!


今年是猴年,更准确来说,是火猴年。每一年皆对应着不同的生肖,以不同动物来代替,总计 12 个生肖。而这 12 个生肖,又分别拥有不同的五行(金、木、水、火、土)属性。上一个猴年是 12 年前的木猴年,而再下一个猴年则需等到 12 年后的 2028 年土猴年。

萧先生提醒道,属猴之人应格外警惕属虎之人,因为在十二生肖八卦图上虎与猴的位置直接相冲。1932 年、1944 年、1956 年、1968 年、1980 年、1992 年日的生人都属猴。1938 年、1950 年、1962 年、1974 年、1986 年和 1998 年生日的人都属虎。两种生肖的人都应该非常注意今年时运。



幸运方位
萧先生指出,西南方是“贵神”方向,东方是“财神”方向。他也建议应尽量避开东北方位。不妨仔细检查您家中床头的摆放方位;床头切勿放在东北方位(也就是避免腿朝向西南方)。如有必要,应调整床位。同时,可使用罗盘来检查办公室书桌的朝向,尽量避免背朝东北方位。如果无法移动书桌,那就稍微改改您自己的座向。

幸运颜色
幸运颜色是红色和紫色。两种颜色都能增加好运。

幸运鲜花
幸运鲜花是水仙,百合,牡丹和桃花。

幸运时刻
新年第一天,最佳外出时刻是早上 5:00 至中午 11:00,以及凌晨 1:00 至凌晨 3:00。避免下午 3:00 至下午5:00出行。

中国新年注意事项

新年之前,应打扫并整理居室。这极具象征意味,代表着除旧迎新。期待新年更美好…

农历新年之前,要清理掉所有的垃圾,因为新年当天不能倒垃圾,甚至也不能拖地,否则会有厄运降临。不管是不是迷信,人人都不希望新年第一天触霉头。

新年第二天就可以倒垃圾了,当然也有着相应的规矩需要遵守。不得向外扫地,扫出门槛,这在新年期间万万不可为之,而应当向室内扫地,扫至居室中心。将垃圾堆在中央,然后再装进垃圾袋并带出门。

新年前理头发,代表一年好运道。反过来说,切勿在新年当天剪头,谁都不想将自己的好运气给
剪掉。同样地,传统风俗是不要在新年当天洗头或洗澡(也是以免将运气冲走之意)。

还是运势欠佳?找些剪刀、小刀或缝纫针,或者其他任何尖锐的物体。在新年当天扔掉。

新年之前,要还清所有的债务,而新年当天,则不要找人借钱或借钱给别人。根据风水的说法,
新年当天的一言一行,都将影响到一整年的运道。

因此,新年当天千万别哭!如果新年头一天就哭,那很可能一年到头都在哭。当然,也不要随意诅咒或谩骂他人。一直以来,农历新年都是孩子们最为向往的节日。第一,孩子们不必担心自己会因做错事而受罚。第二,父母们也希望自己的孩子远离眼泪和抱怨。

除夕之夜,得一直待到午夜,到新年钟声敲响才能睡觉。东方和西方都有类似传统,但农历新年的寓意更深。这样做可以将好运带给父母,代表辞旧迎新,父母双亲合家安泰。

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