Wood Dragon - Happy Lunar New Year!

Hello everyone! We are leaving the year of the Rabbit and entering the majestic Dragon year. The Water Rabbit brought an extra dose of sensitivity to the challenges of 2023 favoring meditation and self-knowledge. Now the Rabbit retreats for the Wood Dragon has come to reign perfectly matching with the energy of 2024.

Interesting News

Did you know that on December 22nd the United Nations made a landmark decision? They've officially recognized the Chinese Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, as a United Nations holiday. The Spring Festival isn't just any festival, it's a time of family, joy and new beginnings. It is also a moment of peace, harmony and togetherness between people and their different cultures. Red envelopes, the most varied dishes from Chinese Cuisine, an extra dose of empathy and solidarity, beautiful Dragons flying in the air and the incredible Lion Dance, all these are taking place now all around the globe.

A different kind of astrology

Chinese Astrology is immensely different from traditional one. It is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and despite having 12 animals like traditional astrology has 12 signs, each animal does not rule one month of the year but a whole lunar year instead. It also combines the 5 elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In fact there are three more different types of regency where the animals are divided between months, days and hours. As an example, I was born under the sign of the Metal Horse (1990), but in the hour of the Dragon (between 7:00 and 8:59 in the morning).

The Dragon is one of the strongest and most auspicious animals in Chinese Astrology. Bruce Lee was born in both year and time of the Dragon, therefore his chinese name: Lee Xiao Long (Little Dragon Lee).

The Dragon and the Wood

I dare to say that the Dragon is the most powerful animal in Chinese Astrology, although some animals like the Tiger and the Horse are not far behind. The Dragon is known for its strength, good luck and leadership, being a symbol of confidence, intelligence, ambition and independence. It is believed that the ones who are born under its influence tend to be natural charismatic leaders.

The Wood element is associated with growth, creativity and flexibility. To better understand this element we can remind ourselves of the bamboo characteristics. So loved by pandas and so present in Chinese culture, the bamboo teaches us to flex according to the events of life in order to keep learning and growing instead of breaking. It also allows us to achieve creative skills by being flexible and being able to see new paths which were previously unknown.

Therefore the year of the Wood Dragon shall be filled with good luck and strentgh. It's a year to take back the reins of your life and activate what you want to manifest. The combination of Dragon and Wood brings a balance between power and innovation. Adaptability, resourcefulness, being open to new ideas and approaches will all be part of the new lunar cycle.

In general, we will have the strength of the Dragon and the creative flexible nature of Wood governing the Chinese New Year. The perfect energy to take a few more steps towards your goals, to overcome life's challenges with resilience and courage and to become the best version of yourself is available for you right now.

Happy Lunar New Year to everyone!

With truth and love,

Duda.

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This article was prepared with the special participation of my master Sifu Jacques Li, Mauritius representer of the Traditional Ip Man Wing Chun Association, Wing Chun World Champion, Member of the International Lun Gai Foshan Wing Chun Association in China, direct disciple of the grandmasters Ip Chin, Ip Chun and Samuel Kwok.