Dragon dancers rehearse for Chinese New Year at Kan Tha Buddhist Temple in Tarmwe township, Yangon, last week. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

DOOM and gloom may reign, in the financial world and beyond, but never fear – the Ox is coming. The Chinese New Year, falling unusually early this year on January 26, will bring all the usual hopes for prosperity and good fortune for the year to come.

Few may regret the outgoing year – the Year of the Rat – a fact that could lend a sharper edge to the traditional celebrations.

Some are even linking the event to what many see as a time of hope and renewal in the United States, pointing out that President Barack Obama, who turns 48 years old next August, was born in the Year of the Ox, 1961.

According to Chinese astrology, each of the 12 years of the zodiac cycle is governed by an animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. So, for instance, anyone born in 1997, 1985, 1973 – or 1961 – counts as an Ox.

U Tun Win, 64, a member of the Fu Jian Chinese Temple’s board of trustees on Sint Oh Dan Street, said belief in this tradition is widespread, and that people born under the sign of an animal share its characteristics. For example, those born on Ox years are said to be dependable, patient, methodical, calm, hard-working, materialistic and ambitious.

Whatever the strong and weak points of the animal concerned, everyone welcomes the New Year full of hope and anticipation of its blessings, he said.

Chinese New Year’s day usually falls about the first week of February, but it comes early in 2009 because the Chinese lunar calendar adds an extra fifth month to adjust the lunar and solar cycles. New Year’s Day 2010 falls on February 14.

This festival abounds with ancient customs and colourful spectacle. On New Year’s Eve, families clean their homes, sweeping away dust as they hope to sweep away the troubles of the outgoing year. But they make sure not to empty their dustbins on the first day of the incoming year, so as not to risk throwing away the good luck with the bad.

Homes and shops are decorated with resplendent lanterns, mostly in red and gold, to signify wealth and happiness. Dinner tables groan with delicacies.

People flock to the temples and pagodas. There are 56 different ethnic groups in China, and each celebrates the feast in its own slightly different way. But for all of them, greeting the New Year is at the heart of their culture and tradition, says U Tun Win.

Some people make New Year offerings at the temple to avert unseen dangers because they want to start the New Year smoothly and happily. Some prefer to stay at home. Daw Light Tee, 77, said a family that has suffered a death is forbidden to celebrate for one year because the house is inauspicious.

Instead, the family honours the deceased with an offering of food. They must also avoid visiting other households for fear of bringing bad luck.

Perhaps most of all, the New Year is a time for family reunions. “I am very happy these days because I can meet my sons, daughters and grandchildren over the holiday, which will last 15 days,” said Yangon resident Daw Light Tee.

Children are given new clothes and red envelopes containing pocket money (always an even amount – odd is unlucky) slipped under their pillows as they sleep.

Other important feasts follow soon after – February 3 is the birthday of the God of Heaven, when Chinese pray for good health, fortune, happiness and prosperity.

“We believe our wishes will be granted, so we offer at least three portions of food,” said Daw San Myint.

She said round Chinese New Year cakes made of glutinous rice, sticky and sweet, are offered to the Kitchen God as a symbol of the richness and sweetness the family hopes to enjoy for the coming year.

And let’s not forget the dragon and lion dances. According to the old story, hardworking Chinese peasants were afraid that a devil might destroy their crops. They failed to drive away the demon by beating drums, but were saved when a dragon came to help them, said Daw San Myint. It is the saviour dragon, and the equally helpful lion, that traditional Chinese New Year dances celebrate.