What does Chinese Feng Shui have to do with the Chinese Zodiac? More than you probably realize. Both Feng Shui and the Chinese Zodiac are based in part on the interactions of the 5 elements on one's destiny.

These 5 elements of metal, water, wood, fire and Earth have been a driving force in Chinese culture for thousands of years. What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is based in the belief that creation of the "perfect" internal and external environment can cure both the body and the soul. Consequently, only when the body and soul are in harmony can a person be most successful. The basic principles involved with Feng Shui include the 5 elements, yin and yang, compass positions, the environment and the solar system.

The Chinese Zodiac relies on the positioning of heavenly bodies as well as the interaction of the 5 elements, yin and yang, the 12 branches and the 10 heavenly stems.

Chinese Feng Shui attempts to harness the Earth's good fortune in an effort to determine one's destiny. It is not superstition as some believe. It is very real and homeowners and business owners alike are seeking Feng Shui experts to help create environments that eliminate negative energy or "Chi" and promote positive energy.

Those who practice Feng Shui have seen their success and their profits soar!

The Importance of Birth Information

The Chinese horoscope is integral to the workings of Chinese Feng Shui which is why the first step requires that the individual requesting Feng Shui provide his date, location and time of birth.

The birth year will correspond with one of the 8 numbers representing the 8 different compass directions. These 8 numbers are called Patzu.

With this information, the Feng Shui expert uses a specialized tool called the Ba Gua. It's an octagon-shaped chart, the bottom of which is positioned at the front door of space to be worked on. The chart helps determine the positioning of the different colors, water sources and other elements that will be used in the space as well as the overall positioning of the furnishings within that space.

Feng Shui also involves incorporating certain objects made out of specific materials because having such items is another way of ensuring good fortune.

The Chinese horoscope is consulted to determine more specific details about the different objects and materials that should be included in the room design to promote the most positive energy.

Based on the traits of each of the 12 animals, calculation of the elements deemed most suitable for that individual including colors, numbers and proper positioning (north, south, east or west) can be further determined.

The underlying principles of Chinese Feng Shui and the Chinese Zodiac are somewhat difficult to comprehend and implement properly. If you're interested, the best approach is to find someone who understands how the different principles interact with one another and allow that person to "Feng Shui" your space.

Then, after a few months, you can decide for yourself whether or not you feel more positive energy in your life!



The Year 2010 is the 4707th Chinese year.

The Chinese believe that the first king of China was the Yellow King (he was not the first emperor of China). The Yellow King became king in 2697 B.C., therefore China will enter the 4707th year on February 4th, 2010. Also, the Chinese Year uses the cycle of 60 Stem-Branch counting systems and the Metal Tiger is the 27th Stem-Branch in the cycle. Since (60 *78) + 27 = 4707, therefore 2010 is the Metal Tiger year, which is the 4707th Chinese Year.

Some web sites say the year 2010 is the 4708th Chinese year. If you cannot find the explanation, here is a possible answer for you: The Yellow King's inauguration was held in the spring of 2697 B.C. But the day that was used as the first day of the year was the winter solstice, which was around December 23rd, 2698 B.C. Today's January 1st meant nothing to the Yellow King. If we count that extra eight days in 2698 B.C., then year 2010 is the 4708th Chinese year.

2010 is the year of Tiger. Some people say 2010 is a Golden Tiger, White Tiger or Metal Tiger year. This is because the Stem-Branch Calendar is connected to Five Element theory.

Chinese calendar used the Stem-Branch system to count the days, months and years. There are 10 Stems and 12 Branches in this system. Stems are named by the Yin-Yang and Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth).

The Stem sequence order is Chinese Horoscopes Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water and Yin Water. Branches use the animal names.

The Branch sequence order is 12 Chinese Zodiac Sign Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig. Stem and Branch are used together to form a cycle of 60 counting systems which begin with WoodenRatMale WoodMouseWooden Rat and end with Water Pig WaterPigWater Pig. You can see the entire sequence from the Chinese New Year's page.

From 1924 to 1983 is a complete cycle. Year 2010 is Male Metal Tiger Male Metalthe 27th of the Stem-Branch in the system. Because Metal is connected to Gold and is equivalent to the color White in the Five-Element system, Year 2010 is also called the White Tiger or Golden Tiger year. Why does Chinese New Year Day come late in 2010?

Usually the Chinese New Year Day falls on the date around late January on early February. Why does Chinese New Year Day come late in 2010? This is because that there are 13 lunar months in 2009.

The extra lunar month of 5th Leap (intercalary) month in 2009 pushes down Chinese New Year day on the middle of February. Chinese Lunar Calendar tries to match up the cycles of sun and moon in the sky. Because every 19 years has 228 solar months and 235 lunar months, Chinese Lunar Calendar needs extra 7 lunar months in 19 years. That means every three years must need an extra lunar month.



Chinese New Year Festival and Parade

Chinese New Year Festival in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore spans 15-day long till New Year Lantern Festival. The detail is at The Celebration of 15-Day Chinese New Year Festivals page.

The schedule Chinese New Year Festival and Parade in US major Chinatowns usually is on the weekend before or after Chinese New Year Day. You need to check the schedule at the Lunar New Year Parade Location and Schedule page.

2010 Chinese New Year Day is on February 14, 2010 The Year of Tiger begins on February 4, 2010

2010 Year of Tiger - Astrology Calendar

In China's time zone, the first day of the Metal Tiger Year is February 4, 2010, because February 4th, 2010 is the first day of Tiger month and the Tiger month is the first month of the year in Chinese Fortune-Telling Calendar system.

In the Chinese Fortune-Telling calendar, the first day of the first month, Tiger month, is called "Start of Spring", which is when the sun enters the 315th degree on the tropical zodiac. In the China's time zone, the time of the Start of Spring is at Feb-04 06:47. So the first day of the White Tiger year 2010 is on 04-Feb-09.

The time of the Start of Spring is on Feb-03 at 17:47 for US EST zone and on Feb-03 at 14:47 for US PST zone. So the first day of White Tiger Year in USA is on 03-Feb-2010.

Babies born in February 2010 may be confused about their Chinese astrology birth year animal signs. This is because it is a common misconception that the astrology animal signs begin on the Chinese New Year day.

Actually, Astrology animal signs are base on the Start of Spring, the first day of astrology year. For example, if a baby was born before the Chinese New Year Day and after Feb-04 2010, then its animal sign is the Tiger, not Cow because the birthday is before the Start of Spring.