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Margaret Starner

Margaret’s Musings

Here’s where you’ll find Margaret Starner’s thoughts and insights on developments that shape your community, your world – and your portfolio.

Margaret Starner

In the Chinese art of Feng Shui, the red door brings luck and positive energy to those who live behind it. Throughout our website, the red door is your portal to Margaret's Musings. “Red Door with Tassel” photograph appears courtesy of Julie Masterson Photography.

| January 23, 2012 – Gung Hay Fat Choy |

Wishing you Good Luck in the Year of the Dragon Chinese Year 4710
Jan 23 – Feb 4th, 2012

Gung Hay Fat Choy! For those of you needing a translation, that means "Happy New Year" in Cantonese Chinese. Yes, Chinese New Years has arrived again, marking the beginning of the year of the dragon. As many of you know, the Chinese zodiac calendars include 12 different animals. Of these, the Dragon is the only fictional creature.

The Dragon is the symbol of the emperor in China and as such, associated with both power and mystery. According to the folk tales, the dragon is an amalgam of animals such as the tiger, fish, snake and eagle. Coated in mysterious colors, the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable, and partially unseeable – observers cannot see its head and tail at the same time.

Each year at Chinese New Year's time, the Feng Shui predictions begin to fly. Feng Shui is the Chinese practice of arranging objects and choosing dates to improve luck. While predictions are light-hearted, many Chinese carefully follow Feng Shui principles in the belief they will seriously boost their wealth. After all, why not?

So, what does Feng Shui say about the dragon? Since the dragon is the only mythical zodiac creature, they are rumored to only appear before important events such as a transition of power. A Hong Kong investment firm that follows Fung Shui predictions writes 'when the dragon does actually show up is when overall desperation in the markets is at an extreme...' Interestingly, the same brokerage predicted that the markets would move in a zigzag fashion in 2011 (the year of the rabbit). That forecast came true.

However, most of us just want to know what is in store for me. And as we do each year, we are prepared to give you a glimpse at your personal predictions for this Dragon year direct from a Chinese Feng Shui. Results are not guaranteed.

If interested, you are welcome to call/email for your Year of the Dragon prediction. We will need your month, day, and year of birth.

On the subject of China, next month I will be taking my two daughters and their families to visit my parents' villages in southern China. My Uncle Paul (mom's youngest brother) and his wife, Helen, will be our guide. Uncle Paul was born and raised in mom's village until he came to the US when he was six or so. He attended an all Chinese school in Cleveland, MS (another interesting tale), Portland and then Stanford. My Aunt Helen, also a cousin, was born and raised in my father's village. She has written a fascinating book about her life experiences in Nationalist China, escaping the Japanese invasion and getting to the US before the communist revolution. I last visited the villages in 1985...and my aunt tells me most of the people have left for opportunities in the cities. However, my parents kept their homes and I wanted our grandchildren to visit and learn about their heritage through Uncle Paul and Aunt Helen. This is not the part of China most tourists see.

Again, gung hay fat choy. We look forward to speaking with all of you in the New Year.


The dragon is a symbol of power.