Year of the Monkey
Today is the start of the Chinese New Year – the 8th February. It will be the year of the Monkey. I’m sure that many will be hoping that the Chinese economic slowdown will not cause further anxiety across global markets. Many will be very glad to see the back of the year of the goat (supposedly calm and gentle).
Traditional Chinese superstition suggests that when your zodiac sign comes up, you have an unlucky year. So as that’s every 12 years, anyone born in 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932 or 1920 (though that would mean you are 96 already). So anyone born in those years, will presumably be hoping that superstition is simply that, and there will be no discernible decrease in their “luck”. To make matters worse (or better) this is the year of the Fire Monkey – one that is ambitious and adventurous but irritable. Each zodiac sign also has a partner of five potential elements, (metal, water, wood, fire and earth) which come around every 60 years.
Destiny and Control
Admittedly I know little of the Chinese Zodiac, I seemed to recall that red was thought of as a lucky colour by the Chinese, apparently not if you are a “Monkey”…. And also avoid the numbers 2 and 7 and any containing them! However if its 4 or 9 you are in luck. This seems a little at odds with the suggestion that your lucky dates are the 14th and 28th of any Chinese lunar calendar month (even months 8 and 12 which are otherwise “unlucky”).
I guess we all have ways of coming to terms with aspects of life that are outside of our control so formula and superstition, particularly ancient ones, tend to offer some form of comfort and possibility of controlling that which cannot be controlled.
As for me, when I think of Monkey, I think of the rather strange TV series from the late 1970s of the same name and the 2008 theatrical opera “Monkey: Journey to the West” which Damon Albarn (Blur) wrote. Of course the 1995 movie “Twelve Monkeys” which was one of my favourite also comes to mind and is perhaps rather more relevant for those attempting to change the course of history through time travel.
Here’s the trailer for Twelve Monkeys and if you are Chinese, well Happy New Year!
Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA
You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk