What the Chinese zodiac says is in store for May 9, election day
= FERNANDO FONG,New Straits Times 3 hours ago=
KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission’s announcement that polling day for the 14th general election (GE14) is set for May 9 has set tongues wagging among members of the Chinese community here.
The hubbub stems from the Chinese zodiac, or ‘shēngxiào’, which has it that May 9 is an auspicious day for those born in the years of the snake, rat and rooster.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was born on July 23, 1953 – the year of the snake.
Interestingly, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang was also born in the year of the snake; while his son, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, was born in the year of the rat.
But the Chinese zodiac also holds that those born in the year of the goat must exercise caution on May 9, which for them is likely to be a bad day.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was born on July 23, 1953 – the year of the snake. DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang was also born in the year of the snake; while his son, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, was born in the year of the rat. Pic by NSTPMore worryingly, May 9 is not a good day to travel back to one’s hometown. This is of particular concern, as many plan to ‘balik kampung’ to cast their votes.
People are also advised not to go hunting, move house, or brew alcohol on that day.
On the other hand, May 9 is an auspicious day to get married, start a business or launch the ground breaking of a housing project.
The Chinese zodiac is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, which is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with one of 12 animals.
The zodiac is closely linked with feng shui, also known as geomancy.
Feng shui predicts people’s fortunes through complex calculations of how the five elements – metal, earth, water, wood and fire – interact based on the movement of the sun and moon to create auspicious or inauspicious forces. © New Straits Times
