The Year of Snake lived up to its reputation - a time of upheaval, disasters and doom. But fortune tellers say things will be different in the Year of Horse, which begins tomorrow according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

The start of the Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration for Chinese, about one-fifth of the world's population, and most spend the week feasting with family and friends on China's mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Pondering what the new year will bring is a big part of the holiday, and many use the 12-symbol Chinese horoscope as a guide, especially when planning pregnancies.

Chinese like to have kids who are dragons, tigers or horses, said Li Fengcheng, a geomancy master in Quanzhou, a city in Fujian Province. People born in the year of the horse are normally hardworking and friendly, he said.

Famous horses include Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan and Russian revolutionary Vladimir Ilich Lenin, reports the Associated Press.

Chinese art and literature are filled with references to horses. When wishing each other well, some Chinese say, "May you enjoy the lead like the fastest horse," or "The Horse will bring you success."

The Chinese character for the word "horse," or "ma" in the widely spoken Mandarin dialect, looks like a steed galloping at full speed.

Beijing residents usually celebrate their holidays by going to fairs at local temples, but many temples in the Chinese capital city are adding a little Western style to this year's events.

Visitors to Chaoyang Park in Beijing can wear masks and dress themselves up in costumes as they listen to Jazz, dance to Latin music and enjoy German and Thai food.

"The park is expected to have some 300,000 visitors during the Spring Festival holidays. People are excited at the prospects of having something different," said Yang Weiping, an official with the Chaoyang District Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Flowers are a big hit this year as Valentine's Day falls during the Spring Festival holidays. In the past two days, the cost of a rose has jumped from 5 yuan to 12 yuan in Beijing. A florist said it will soar to 20 yuan on Valentine's Day, according to Xinhua news agency.

Residents in Hangzhou, a tourist city near Shanghai, are giving up their tradition of burning joss sticks before Buddha to offer flowers instead.

A believer going to the Lingyin Temple said, "It does not matter whether you offer flowers or burn joss sticks as long as you stand true before the Buddha. Besides, offering flowers can prevent forest fires."

Liu Tieliang, a professor with Beijing Normal University, said that Chinese people are celebrating the traditional festival in a variety of ways, instead of just watching TV programs as many did in the past.

eastday.com February 11, 2002)