Friday ushers in Year of the Horse

According to the Chinese calendar, Friday January 31 marks the end of the year of 4711 and the beginning of the year 4712 — the Year of the Horse.

The story goes that Buddha gathered all the animals on the first day of the new year, and named a year after each one. Babies would take on a characteristic of each animal’s personality according to the year they were born, the legend says.

The Chinese New Year may pass with little fanfare in most of Cairo, but to the local Chinese community, it is a time of celebration and gathering with their newfound families.

“It is a good opportunity to meet the new members of the community and connect with old friends,” says Susan Hwang, 72, at Maadi’s Community Services Association (CSA).

Hwang moved here 30 years ago with her husband.

“The community has changed and grown since the 1980s, but it is a challenge to keep us together,” she explains.

Last Tuesday the CSA hosted a New Year’s cookout for members of the Chinese community. Up and coming Chinese food vendors gathered to cook and sell their specialties, Dim sum, fried dumplings, spring rolls and stir fried vegetables filled the air with mouthwatering aromas.

By 11 am, women were gathering to perform fan dances, Tai Chi and traditional celebratory performances in the spirit of the New Year.

“It is so kind of them to host us, our gatherings for New Year have become a tradition,” says Jin Fu Kang, a cook at a Chinese restaurant in Maadi.

Kang says that plans for Friday’s celebrations are even bigger, and that a ceremonial dragon will once again travel down Maadi’s Road 233, like it did last year.

Chef Sharon Chu is opening her restaurant, Zentro, in Maadi next month, and the CSA celebration was a great time to give a preview of her restaurant.

It is said that those born in the Year of the Horse are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands. Sara Liu, a healer practicing traditional Chinese medicine in Nasr City, gives her take on the upcoming year for the rest of the animals.

Monkey (born 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)

“Monkeys must be more focused. This is a tough year for the Monkey, but he should see challenges as opportunities,” warns Liu. Apparently those born in the year of the Monkey should only expect good things from the year if they focus and work through their issues.

Rooster (born 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)

“No careless spending for the Rooster, no matter how tempting it may seem,” says Liu, who believes the Rooster will have both challenges and great happiness in the coming year.

Dog (born 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

“Starting from the first month of this year, the Dog will have smooth sailing,” says Liu, predicting that for the Dog, this year is going to be fabulous in love, health and wealth.

Pig (born 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)

Liu thinks the Year of the Horse is a perfect opportunity for the Pig to go through a health cleanse. “Eating clean is the new trend and Pigs should join in,” says Liu.

Rat (born 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)

“The Rat is used to getting what he wants by demanding it,” says Liu, but this year she advises the Rat to ask nicely. By being more flexible, she expects the Rat will have a good year.

Ox (born 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)

“For the plodding Ox, this year will be full of surprises,” Liu tells us. Oxen should expect an exciting (albeit not necessarily happy) love life as well as a change in career.

Tiger (born 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)

“This is the Tiger’s year to shine,” says Liu. “Tigers should take the next step in their relationship and expect increases in wealth.”

Rabbit (born 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

Liu thinks Rabbits need to take on more work and more responsibilities in 2014. “They should also be more carefree in love,” she recommends.

Dragon (born 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)

“Networking is essential for the Dragon this year,” says Liu. Dragons also need to be careful with their wealth, which is not in their nature.

Snake (born 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)

“For Snakes, the Year of the Horse is a time to step out of your boundaries and take a lighter, more initiative-based take on life,” says Liu. She believes that Snakes will only move ahead in their careers if they take initiative at work, and will only find love if they stop looking for marriage and become open to lighter relationships.

Horse (born 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)

“Hold on to your jobs, this year is not the time to get angry and burn bridges,” Liu cautions. Even though this is their year, Horses will need stamina to make it through situations where luck does not prevail.

Ram (born 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)

“After a year of health problems, things should stabilize for the Ram this year,” says Liu. She predicts the Ram’s relationships to be more fun and money to be plentiful in the coming year.