© Aris Dervis 2003

Lucky Children

In 2004 the Chinese New Year will be on January 22nd when we usher in the Year of the Monkey. Here's what Theodora Lau says about the Monkey year in The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.

Everything will be workable this year. At least the agile Monkey will not give up before trying every angle. There will be success even in impossible ventures. There will be inventions and improvisations galore. Politics, diplomacy, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game with everyone trying to outbluff each other. A rather amusing and exciting time in which everyone will be given the opportunity to try his hand at the game. No direct confrontation here, as the Monkey is one who can laugh off his mistakes and improve his bargaining prowess in the next round.
This is a year that will find us all trying to get a better deal by outsmarting the other man. It is hard to keep track of who is winning, as the right hand has no idea what the left hand is up to. This will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the utmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement.
The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends. It is definitely not a year for the faint-hearted or slow-witted. The Monkey gives no concessions and asks none in return. If there is a recession, the year of the Monkey will quickly put an end to it. Business will skyrocket under his optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone.

It is said that the Monkey's year will bring many new and unconventional ways of doing things. The motto of this year should be: "Don't take no for an answer!"

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Some traditions for celebrating the New Year include eating only vegetarian fare on the day, eating noodles for longevity and wearing the color red for good fortune.

The Lucky Children are seen everywhere as symbols of prosperity during the New Year season. We dedicate this shrine to our beloved friend Francine Suan -, world traveler, boddhisatva, curious student of life - who has taken us on so many remarkable journeys.
Happy New Year!