IN THE HOPE OF GETTING DRAGON BABIES

On 23 January 2012, the Dragon will come into reign in the Chinese calendar.  The Dragon which is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac is much revered by the Chinese.  Some say dragons are creatures of myth while there are others who believe that they existed in a bygone era.   In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Nowadays, it is regarded as the ultimate auspicious symbol symbolising success and happiness. That is why I read in a news article that there are many Chinese couples getting married in the year of the rabbit, in the hope that they can give birth to dragon offsprings next year.

Here is the article which was published in the Star newspaper on 19 August, 2011.

Tying the knot with Dragon expectations

By KOW KWAN YEE and CHRISTOPHER TAN
north@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: More couples are getting married this year hoping to have “Dragon” babies under next year's Chinese zodiac sign.

Penang Chinese Town Hall vice-chairman Datuk Yeoh Chip Tong, who is also an assistant registrar, said there was always a 10% increase in marriage registrations amongst Chinese couples during the Year of the Rabbit.

“They usually get married in the Rabbit year and plan to have a baby the following year as the Chinese consider babies born in the Dragon year to be auspicious and lucky.

Cots for tots: Toh and his wife Heng Boon Suan, 28, shopping for cots at Sunshine Square, Bayan Baru, Penang.

“The registration of marriages in a Rabbit year is normally higher compared with the year before (Tiger year) as many Chinese avoid it because it represents anger, quarrels and conflict,” Yeoh said.

He added that 264 marriage registrations amongst Chinese couples had been recorded so far and he expected more during the upcoming auspicious date of 11-11-11 as well as this year-end.

A check showed that restaurants were doing well with wedding dinners for couples who were tying the knot this year.

Penang Chinese Cooks Association adviser Tan Bon Wah said yesterday that bookings for wedding dinners so far this year had recorded an increase of 20% on Penang Island.

“According to restaurant operators, the bookings for one month were equivalent to three months' business during normal times. Some of them have wedding dinner bookings almost every weekend,” he said.

Among those who plan to have a Dragon baby is Toh Seong Thye, who got married eight months ago.

The 29-year-old engineer said it was a trend for most couples to have children in the Year of the Dragon.

Operations executive Eunice Lim, 35, said she and her husband would try to get a Dragon baby after having a Tiger baby last year.

“According to Chinese belief, the Dragon is a good sign in the Chinese zodiac as individuals born in that year are confident, filled with energy and are very ambitious,” she said.

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