InnovAsian: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

Because dragons are too mainstream... :) 

Asians are asians... Paving way to InnovAsian. Celebrating it the right way.

As they say, China does not look forward to the future. It creates the future. And now that their New Year has come, it is but right to give a show of what they have done for the world for the past year.

The staggering Olympic Stadium of China.

The great 20th century sinologist, Joseph Needham, once drew up a list of 24 technical innovations brought from China to the West. They ranged from gunpowder and the wheelbarrow to printing, cast iron, the magnetic compass and the chain suspension bridge. By 1600 the torch of innovation had passed to the West.

However, according to a new report examining Chinese innovation, some of this progress flatters to deceive: R&D spending is still low as a share of GDP per capita and far lower than the OECD average. Consider also the number of researchers in China, which while second in the world only to the US, is still very low for China compared to OECD countries, given the size of the country’s labour force. Chinese researchers may have contributed 6.5% of research articles to scientific publications in 2004, up from just 2% a decade earlier, and are second after the US in nanotechnology research publishing, for instance, but their innovation system still shoots below potential.

More fundamentally, there is a difference between being a leader in R&D and leading a truly innovative, modern society. It is a gap China must now bridge.

But even so these innovations and lapses at hand, China still proves to be one of the best countries there is.

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Dragons - It is their Year

A dragon is a legendary creature. All legendary stories about Chinese dragons are from the sky, which means heaven in China. The image of dragon is blurred, misty, mystic, occulted, noble and untouchable. For China, it is the symbol of power from heaven. The Chinese emperor was considered the son of heaven. An emperor has the authority to send command to Dragons. One Chinese story mentioned an emperor killed a dragon in his dream. After 581 AD, Chinese emperors began to wear imperial robes with dragon symbols. During the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), the dragon can be seen everywhere on the roofs, doors, pillars, bridges, utensils in the forbidden city. The most powerful dragon is the five-clawed dragon. It appears only on the yellow imperial robe. Because of this, Dragon is one of most auspicious animals in China.

They say that Dragon has nine sons. People didn't know too much about the Nine Dragons until Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). However, there is more than one version of the Nine Dragons story. One story is the following.

The Dragon sent its nine sons to help the first emperor of Ming Dynasty to conquer China. After completing the mission, nine dragons were preparing their journey to return to heaven. But the emperor wanted them to continue to help the Ming Dynasty. The nine dragons wouldn't stay and the emperor couldn't stop them. However, the emperor decided to play a trick on the most powerful dragon, the 6th son. He tricked the sixth dragon son to carry a magic stele with a carved inscription, which could suppress any ghost, spirit or evil creature. The 6th dragon couldn't move under the magic stele, and all of his other brothers wouldn't leave without him. However, they wouldn't work for the emperor anymore. They decided to no longer show their dragon identities and turned themselves into evil creatures. Since then, the nine dragons have stayed in China.

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 Since it is the year of the Dragon for this Chinese New Year, it is expected that a lot would turn out to be different this time of the year. As usual, Feng Shui will surely predict some lucky pots for Chinese and the like out there.

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Testing Your Affinity to the Water Dragon

 

Rat: Dragon year 2012 is the harbinger of luck for the Rat. All you would need to do is to recognize the right moment and then without any fear venture out since the lucky stars are on your side. It is of utmost importance for you to have the right lucky charm on you. This will save you from the influence of the illness star. It also, will replenish your chi essence and you will be able to acquire the 24 mountains’ lucky energy. Remember though good luck and feng shui only is not enough, you would need to work hard and be strong to come out a winner on the other end.

The cycle of the Chinese Zodiac with its representations.

Ox: Dragon year is a lucky year for the Ox. It is also a year when the star of future progress is here for you. Making it easy for you to make further progress on the work you may have initiated in the previous years. You must make use of this brilliant opportunity and get done what needs to be done. The only thing you must make sure is to be more agreeable and 2012 will undoubtedly be a year of good fortune and success.

Tiger: Dragon year like the previous year is an auspicious year for the Tiger. You will continue to benefit from chi energy and would still be in a zone being guarded by the cosmic forces. It is year when you will be able accumulate riches and have a stronger financial foundation for the times to come. The best course of action for you is to focus on building your finances and not to be marred by the negative forces aiming to bring you down.

Rabbit: Luck is in store for the Rabbit in year 2012. It is going to be a year where the hardships of the last year come to an end. Dragon brings strength and energy your way. You have emerged stronger at the end of the last year. All you need to do now is get busy, capture the positive energy of the year and direct it towards the achievement of your targets. You are definitely going to find more love and be more self assured, successful and happier than ever before.

Dragon: 2012 is your year and this gives you the added advantage that no one else has. It is a year bringing success and some possible failures your way. Successes are going to be a source of hope and consolation for you. One thing you must remember when facing a difficult situation, is to keep the long term plans in your mind and keep on forging ahead. You could receive a boost of support from the third dimension feng shui.

Snake: You are strong and confident due to the successes in the last two years. 2012 may be the time to slow down a bit and enjoy the charms and positive vibes of the Dragon year. You need to plan on having a celebration of some sort, be it the arrival of a new baby or a marriage or a birthday party. This celebration will assist you in defeating the five yellow misfortunes.

Horse: Dragon year promises to be an adventurous and successful year for the Horse. Feng shui winds will bring luck, helping you achieve your goals. It is also a year where you will be more established and will be recognized, honoured and respected by all those around you.

Sheep: 2012 will be a year of accomplishment for the sheep. It promises all that is good, to those who are ready. Chi essence in your case is not very strong and this leads to lower self esteem and confidence. You must defeat negativity as it makes you more aggressive and temperamental. It also stresses out those who are close to you. Be more at peace with yourself, trust your intuition and be original and the result will be a happy and successful you.

Monkey: Dragon year brings the opportunity to lay foundation of future ventures. You must figure out your future path, assemble all your assets and get ready.  You are going to see a change in your work as well as coworkers. You are going to be a more self assured and reenergized you, who is hopeful and ready to embrace success. However, you must remember to be patient and wait for all the puzzle pieces to fall into place.

Rooster: The Rooster will enjoy greater wealth and strength brought to it by the Dragon. The chi essence and life forces are available in abundance like never before and promise you a very successful new year. Anticipate a year filled with new adventures and prosperity. You must concentrate on your ability to succeed and this will steer you away from any possible worrisome scenarios created by your friends.

Dog: The dog enters 2012 successfully after overcoming many challenges in the last year. You are going to find that the chi essence is not abundant but the lady luck is still around. All you need to do is to follow your instincts, trust in your ability to make decisions and be brave. Your relationships will be under some strain but remember you must be ready and willing to take risk to establish long term friendships.

Boar: The Dragon year brings good fortune to the Dog and sets them for a good year ahead. Feng shui winds could be troublesome but you are protected. You can reinforce your life force with metal and earth may add power to your chi essence. You are set for success, if this elemental balance is achieved. Be self assured, be patient, know what you want from life and nothing will stop you from achieving your goals.

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Regardless of the signs, the Chinese New Year Feng Shui and Calendar are just means to guide us the to the path of right and sane thinking. Always do remember that the lives people still choose will be definitive than these guides.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! 

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Asians are asians... Paving way to InnovAsian. Celebrating it the right way.

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Dancing with the Dragons out there. Realizes that it is fake. Enjoy the Chinese New Year fellow 9gaggers and readers!

 

I am a pretty dragon... No, no you are not! 

 

seems legit to me. :)