Do not challenge supernatural unless armed with sword of truth.

“Kung Hei Fat Choi!” Today, according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar begins THE YEAR OF THE TIGER (February 1st, 2022 – January 31st, 2023.) And since our Detective Charlie Chan was of Chinese ancestry, I thought it appropriate to post about that today! Tradition tells us to first visit the eldest seniors in the family (starting on the husband’s side.). Oh, don’t forget to bring gifts! And in return, the grandparents and elders will give the younger generation red envelopes. The “lucky money” in the red envelopes is known as: hongbao in Mandarin, lai see in Cantonese, and ang pow in Hokkien. It is “money to anchor the year.” Not sure about your Lunar New Year sign (animal)? You can quickly find it here: Chinese Zodiac Finder.

Here are some tips for all you Tigers to follow throughout the year:

As you can see from the chart above, there is much to influence you if you were born in the Year of The Tiger: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974…(you get the drift, every 12 years.) These lucky and unlucky things affect your outcome during the year, so it is highly recommended you do not ignore them…”Do not challenge supernatural unless armed with sword of truth!”

Furthermore, here are taboos for everyone to avoid today and throughout the Spring Festival (celebrations continue through February 15th):

The TIGER happens to be the “third” in the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They are very charming and well-liked by others. But sometimes they are likely to be impetuous, irritable and overindulgent. With stubborn personalities and tough judgment, Tigers are authoritative and never go back on what they have said. If you’d like to learn more, visit: https://www.chinatravel.com/chinese-zodiac/tiger. Some others born Tigers: Queen Elizabeth II, David Attenborough, Jiang Qing, Kylian Mbappe, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jodie Foster and Lady Gaga.

So how did this all come about? This cute, short video explains the tale and at the end reveals why cat and rat are forever enemies!:

Since the creation of the People’s Republic of China, October 1, 1949, China has officially adopted the Gregorian calendar (or solar calendar) for administration purposes. Nevertheless, the Chinese People keep their traditional feasts fixed on the dates of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Celebrations around the world include: lion or dragon dances and parades, streams of firecrackers, and lots and lots of delicious foods.

Not sure where to celebrate the Chinese New Year? Find a Chinatown around the world at: https://www.chinatownology.com/chinatowns_of_the_world.html or in the USA, by state: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatowns_in_the_United_States.

So regarding our blog title above, those words were spoken by Charlie Chan in what’s considered one of the best films in the series proper (there were 44) Charlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939), starring Sidney Toler, Caesar Romero, and Victor Sen Yeung. While he investigates the murder of his friend and a suspect Dr. Zodiac, Charlie Chan is handed an anonymous note:

Note: “Do not challenge supernatural unless you are prepared to visit your ancestors.”

Son No 2, Jimmy: “What is it pop? What’s in the note?”

Charlie Chan: “Ancient Chinese proverb, badly misquoted.” “Should read, Do not challenge supernatural unless armed with sword of truth.”

Still have your doubts? You might want to read this NPR article: Veteran win $4M using numbers from a fortune cookie!

Now, like Detective Charlie Chan you too are armed with sword of truth. So head out and enjoy this Chinese New Year, The Year of the Tiger.

“He who rides on tiger can not dismount”

The Chinese Parrot (1926), Chap 9