Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a New Lucky Charm

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Jan 17, 2011, 08:20 ET

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Start the New Year with a dose of extra luck with a new charm that celebrates an ancient Chinese folk custom beginning Lunar New Year's Eve, Feb. 2.

This Chinese tradition includes wearing or displaying Chinese astrological animal charms that bring luck and prosperity. The Chinese New Year is a two-week-long celebration that ends with the Lantern Festival, Feb. 17.

Feng shui expert Marina Lighthouse said that the Chinese zodiac has 12 animal signs, each a different character and significance. Unlike Western astrology, Chinese astrology is based on birth year, not birth month. Also, the Chinese focus on the concept of fate and then work towards "cures" to change the most probable fate.

"In the custom, you should get a new charm every year to symbolize a fresh start and new opportunities," Lighthouse said. The Lunar New Year starting Feb. 3 is the year of the Metal Rabbit, meaning that the lucky animal to wear is the dog. This charm should be carried until Jan. 22, 2012.

To look up your individual Chinese zodiac sign, personality and forecast click here. If you already know your Chinese zodiac animal sign, click your individual animal to find out more about 2011. The 12 Chinese zodiac animal signs are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Rabbit year occupies the fourth position in the Chinese Zodiac and is normally a peaceful year, which will be a blessing for many after the intense year of the Tiger, Lighthouse said.

"However, there will still be many ups and downs throughout, so it is recommended that you implement special feng shui cures and enhancers to avoid problems in 2011," Lighthouse said.

There are several animals that are universal for good luck. To start a business, you might carry a horse charm. To bring more abundance into your life, you would carry a pig charm. For safety during travel, a dragon would be a good choice. Interestingly, carrying a rabbit foot is not good luck in the Year of the Rabbit.

Visit FengShuiShopper.com to find intricately carved three-dimensional jade charms with exquisite knot work and symbolic finishing touches.

To learn more about Chinese astrology, receive free horoscope predictions, your feng shui personality profile and more, visit http://www.fengshuishopper.com.

Photos:

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About Marina Lighthouse

Marina Lighthouse is a certified consultant, teacher, lecturer, author and expert of the BTB School of Feng Shui. She owns the successful consulting business Lighthouse Feng Shui, LLC in Los Altos, Calif., and the popular feng shui webstore FengShuiShopper.com.