As the Chinese zodiac operates on a rotation of 12 different signs(or animals), 2010 is the Year of Tiger, the third of the 12 animals. But in accordance with Chinese fortune tellers' prediction, it will be a rought patch for the world's most famous one: disgraced golfer Tiger Woods.
Under the school of feng shui – the traditional Chinese practice of predicting fortunes through dates and classical Chinese texts – the new lunar year starting Sunday is associated with the natural elements of metal, wood, thunder and fire. Metal is a symbol of righteous action- like waging war. Thunder and fire symbolize volatility, while wood feeds the fire.
It's a recipe for geopolitical tensions and drastic market movements, feng shui experts say.
"People will try to take on the strong and help the weak. They will try to help their fellow brothers. They will help friends who are being bullied. This year will be more violent," Hong Kong feng shui adviser Raymond Lo said, noting that the previous Year of the Tiger associated with metal was 1950 - the year the Korean War broke out.
Other predictions: trying times for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, turmoil in the financial markets, spikes in fire-related natural disasters and a crucial period for US President Barack Obama.
As for Obama, there are differing interpretations. The American president's birthday is August 4, 1961, making him an ox. According to Lo, the tiger is a lucky "nobleman" for people born in years ending in the digit "1" and Obama's birth date is associated with the natural element of earth, which is complementary with metal because minerals come from the earth.
"He will shine with flying colors," Lo said, adding that the American leader will become more aggressive in pushing his agenda. "His foreign policy may be tougher."
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