Dear LPG,

Did you know that if you are of an age divisible by twelve this year you are likely to be an oriental ox?

I feel the need to predict that the Chinese New Year celebration is likely to be a very subdued affair this year and I, for one, will miss the dancing dragons and loud drumming because I usually watch on the television, although in this coronavirus-ridden start of 2021, I doubt that there will be any of the usually spectacular firework displays and colourful parades to report after the year we have all had.  

For all that though, if you are or will reach the age of 60, 72, 80 or 96 this year you may well identify as a pensioner with the traits of the oriental ceremonial ox. If you are a typical Chinese ox, you will have many of the characteristics I would want to find in a perfect best friend. 

According to the internet the Oxen among us are reputed to be strong, reliable, trustworthy, methodical and they are usually blessed with a big portion of self-confidence and have the ability to inspire confidence in the people around them.  On the other hand, they are also noted for being quite stubborn people who don’t like to be challenged and they don’t get angry often but on the few occasions that they do, the people around them should expect an explosive dose of rage. 

So, having written this at the end of 2020, under the shadow of the recently introduced tier 4 Lewisham restrictions, I doubt very much that the Chinese New Year will be heralded in with much gusto (although I hope I am wrong), but I have written this message in the hope that I can go a little way towards offering a bit of help, when it comes to making sure that the start of the new year is acknowledged.

新年快乐  (Happy New Year ).

CK, Lewisham.

CK shares some information on the subject…

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