Initially 2008 was hailed as a very good year for China. For one thing, this nation was going to host the Olympics and it was going to be kickstarted on August 8. But things seem not to have gone too right as far as China is concerned. Read the article by Stephen Wade who interviewed a Feng Shui master from Hong Kong who gives his reasons for China's woes.
Feng Shui master explains year's bad start
By STEPHEN WADE
BEIJING -- Feng Shui master Raymond Lo is offering some explanations why China is off to a terrible start in 2008 -- the long anticipated year of the Beijing Olympics.
In fewer than four months, China has been pelted by crippling blizzards and riots in Tibet. These were followed by chaos on international legs of the Olympic torch relay, fueled by pro-Tibet demonstrators. Then came a bloody train crash followed by this week's deadly, 7.9-magnitude earthquake in central Sichuan province.
Lo, who lives in Hong Kong, tried to explain some of the occurrences in terms of Chinese astrology, a traditional belief system dating back thousands of years. Lo said part of the problem may stem from the birthdates of China's current political leadership -- president Hu Jintao and premier Wen Jiabao. Both were born in 1942, The Year of the Horse.
In Chinese astrology, 2008 is The Year of the Rat and, according to Lo, this is part of the problem.
"Chinese people believe in animal astrology," Lo said in a telephone interview. "In animal astrology we know the horse clashes with the rat. This is a very common thing, well known among Chinese people. So if you are born in the Year of the Horse, because of the clash against the rat you will have a turbulent year."
Lo offered a remedy. He said carrying an ox pendant -- for people like Hu and Wen -- could help ward off problems, because the ox is seen as a friend of the rat.
The other reason is that the Year of the Rat is symbolized by earth and water, an unstable relationship in 2008, Lo said. He said Chinese astrology has been a traditional belief for 4,000 years among Chinese, many of whom may be starting to believe that 2008 may not be a prosperous year for China.
"The common people really don't understand it, but deep down in their culture the belief is very deeply rooted in Chinese culture," Lo said.
Lo is predicting more natural disasters this year for China. But he's not suggesting they'll take place during the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Olympics. Of course, eight is a lucky number in China, and the Olympics were set for 8-8-2008 for that reason. "This is a good day, a day of achievement," Lo said. "There is nothing bad about the day. It just happens to be a turbulent year for China. The calendar doesn't saying anything about the Olympics, but the calendar tells that this year is a year of earth and water disasters. That means natural disasters are very common this year."
Interestingly, some Chinese-language Web sites are pointing out that No. 8 seems to be bringing bad luck. The snow storm struck on 1-25. The numbers added together: 1+2+5=8. The Tibet rioting broke out on 3-14: 3+1+4=8 and the earthquake hit on 5-12: 5+1+2=8.
Finally, the day the earthquake struck marked 88 days to go before the Olympics open on Aug. 8.
Source: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national%20news/2008/05/16/156728/Feng-Shui.htm
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