The Partners4Business Network would like to wish all of its Chinese members a Happy New Year of the Tiger.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of excitement and joy. The Chinese calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and is composed of twelve years, each represented by an animal. It is believed that one's personality is influenced by the animal ruling the year one is born in.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle and also the sign of bravery. Those who are born in 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998 are born in the year of the Tiger.

The Tiger is a courageous and fiery fighter admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts. People born in the Year of the Tiger are usually straightforward and outgoing by nature. They will never give up no matter how aggravated they may become. But, they are also full of suspicion and at times will take hasty action. Never lose sight of the fact that Tigers are smart and instinctive. Tigers always take pride in being different from others, and normally demonstrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are typically filled with exotic possessions. It is no surprise that one of the Tiger’s favourite gemstones is the cat’s eye, but tigers also love the sparkle of rubies and diamonds. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be very impulsive spenders because they know they can at all times make more.

My thanks must go to P4B member - The East Midlands China Business Bureau- for the above explanation and information on the Chinese New Year.

Gong Xi Fa Cai !  Xin Nian Kuai Le !