With about a billion people in China and millions more in settlements, or China Towns, in many other countries, there is no question that the Chinese New Year is the most celebrated holiday ever.

 This year is the year of the Chinese king of the animals . . . Welcome the Tiger!

On February 14, the Chinese New Year, we will welcome the year of the Metal Tiger. The big political and sociological realignments are the main characteristics of the years in this Chinese star sign.

The year 2010 is forecasted, therefore, to bring about radical changes on a world-wide, but also on a personal level.

The Chinese and other people in Asia honour the Tiger with gloriously festive events on New Year's Day, thus gaining the good will and favour of the king of the animals. The Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important holiday, is extremely family oriented and is celebrated with fireworks, special delicacies and monetary gifts in little red envelopes. They give respect to their ancestors and exchange wishes like: "Many wishes" and "May you become wealthy!"

Such wishes are happily accepted in these difficult times we are all going through.