The Year of the Tiger, or the renyin cyclic year, has just begun – it is time to bid farewell to the old and to welcome the new. Customarily, Hong Kong people would buy a copy of Tung Shing (the Chinese Almanac) early in the lunar new year to select auspicious days for important events, to seek good fortune and to avoid contact with evilness. Today, the timeless metaphysical wisdom found in Tung Shing has continued to be the guiding light for the future.
Current affairs through the lens of the lunar calendar
At present, the most widely circulated Tung Shing is the work of the late and revered metaphysics grandmaster Choi Park-lai, the third generation descendent of Choi Gen Po Tong. The authoritative gravity of “Gen Po Tong Tung Shing” can be demonstrated by its inscription on the provincial list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Guangdong in 2013. Based on the study of the Chinese calendar system, the unique and timeless Tung Shing has been around for more than a thousand years.
Tung Shing is based on the traditional calendar system. What can we learn about our world from Tung Shing in the new year? Choi Hing-wah, daughter of Choi Parklai and fourth generation descendant of Choi Gen Po Tong, shared with us. “A good or bad year is closely associated with the changes in the yin, yang and five elements of that particular year. As ‘lichun’ marks the beginning of spring and demarcates the past year and the next one, it is used to preview how the next year turns out.”
Choi elaborated on her interpretation on this day of the year of the tiger. Similar to a loving emperor who does his best for his subjects, the state’s leader is prioritizing the wellbeing of the people amidst social and economic hurdles. Nationals are provided with what they need, and their problems are solved. As for the society and the economy, national reserves are deployed to provide for the people, meaning the revenue and expenditure are yet to be balanced.
Chaos to continue alongside the unending pandemic
Are we going to see the end of the tunnel for people’s suffering, economic downturn and social unrest after the year-long spread of COVID? According to the analysis of Choi, countries and families will still shoulder massive burden caused by the pandemic and income does not seem be making ends meet. The element of water means collaboration. Governments should put aside their differences and join up to cover each other’s inadequacy.
The element of wood is strong. This will restrain the real estate sector, or other industries that are earth un nature. The housing market frenzy that lasted for years may become stagnated and gradually adjust downwards. Governments will have to manage their own immigrant and refugee issues. It will take some more time for the coronavirus to become fully contained.
Choi next pointed out that global and social trends, as well as interpersonal and crossnational relationships will all focus on the dissemination of information, promotion, and benefits. To achieve these goals, fancy talk or misrepresentation will become more common in advertising, and relatively fewer people will be strictly complying with the proper ways of working. Governments, people, communities and families will be put to the test.
A new day is dawning
That said, we should not be over pessimistic. Choi added a few facts with reference to the twelve jianchu markers (the system for establishing and removing things). The first day of the solar new year was on a “man” (complete) day; the first day of the lunar new year was on a “cheng” (success) day, while the beginning of spring was on a “kai” (beginning) day. Putting these together implies something will become complete and successful in a new beginning. Happiness does exist next to anxieties.
She reckoned that governments and people should begin to join hands to stand up against adversity. As we work to tackle the pandemic, we should also be committed to economic development. We are already seeing signs of development in the new era. Similar to how the world began, rebuilding the economy will call for much hard work. Yet, we must overcome the difficulties and embrace the arrival of the new digital age, doing our best and coping with what nature gives us.
