恭喜發財 - Gung Hei Fat Choi - Congratulations Get Rich!

Chinese New Year for Dummies, by G.Mach. Chapter 1: If some random Asian dude starts wishing you well in Chinese, here are some common New Year blessings he may be saying, and their literal translations into English.

恭喜發財 (Gung Hei Fat Choy) - 'Congratulations Get Rich!'
身壯力健 (Sun Jong Lik Geen) - 'Body Strong Strength Healthy!'
心想事成 (Sum Seung See Sing) - 'Heart Want Come True!'
一帆風順 (Yat Fan Fung Sun) - 'One Trouble Wind Smooth!'

Yes folks, today marks the start of the Lunar new year, and it's the Year of the Sheep/ Ram/ Goat in the Chinese Zodiac. Get ye down to the temple, burn some incense, and kowtow to the pantheon to curry favour with your favourite deity.

















And if you pop down to Chinatown or any Asian themed place over the next few days, you may hear this song playing over and over. It's essentially the Cantonese equivalent of "Santa Claus is coming to town." Except instead of St. Nick giving out toys, it's about Choy Sun (the God of Fortune) coming to bless those who have been good peeps with ingots of GOOOOOLD!



I'm going to stray from stereotypes, and not wish you lots of wealth, but instead focus on the two things that are far more important. I wish you and your families good health and happiness in this coming year!

#CNY2015 #Yearofthesheep #Dontbeasheep #beashepherd #WongTaiSin