Note in 2024 the 3rd lunar day falls on 12 feb. 

What does a dog, a mouse, a red mouth, a wedding and staying in have to do with the third lunar day of the new year? Perplexed? I’ve always been intrigued with the symbolism of the colour Red, so in 2021, I pontificated what happens when Valentine’s Day and the 3rd lunar day of the month coincided, also known as Red Scarlet day!

CU L T U R A L C U S T O M S

The Chinese Lunar New Year is a 15 day long celebration, with each day marking a specific custom. This year (2024) 12 Feb., is the third lunar day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Back in 2021, the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year fells on 14th February - aka Valentine’s Day. I pontificated whether an old tradition may have unknowingly been revived as CNY celebrations were hit by the on-again off-again lockdowns – so folks may have found themselves confined indoors. It was that very ‘confinement’, that revived a timely custom of not stirring from one's home on the third day of the Lunar New Year and refraining from entertaining guests! However there is a caveat, listing graves and ancestor veneration is permitted. Visiting the dead outranking visiting the living; with spirits lingering typically trading was halted till souls returned to spirit world.

In 2024 this cultural customs holds significance via Chinese astro lens, as a change in Ages and the Annual Flying stars (AFS) are highlighted. The roots of the custom begin with a colour - Red. No surprises the fiery colour is associated with Fire —the overarching element for the next twenty years. The name given to the third lunar day is 'Scarlet Dog Day. Also known by other names, such as 'Chikou' (Red mouth) or 'Chigou's (Red dog). But the term Red Dog is actually an inference to the moniker for the God of Blazing Wrath i.e God of Anger or God of Fire, Zhù Róng. Red implying anger and fire — angering said Fire God, could unleash his wrath – folklore notes the Zhù Róng helped separate Heaven and Earth and set up Universal Order when he won the battle with the Water God. Arguably it’s best practice to placate Zhù Róng Zhurong and stay indoors, shunning visitors! The term ‘Red mouth’ is also interesting and presumably refers to the custom of refraining from angry words - having arguments, hence keeping to oneself for fear of offending the God of Anger. To the Feng Shui fraternity, the flying star #3 correlates to arguments, perhaps another correlation to anger? And this year the AFS #3 governs! I watching closely. In some literature, the God of Fire is Red bearded and depicted with three eyes. And rides a pair of dragons. Whatever you do on the third Lunar day — be mindful of heated exchanges, especially with on point Mars and Venus conjunction with Pluto climaxing at the moment # aggrocentral! (Side note; China's first Mars rover was named Zhurong.)

Back to my 2021 Scarlet pondering, which led me to the colour most associated with Valentine’s Day and Red mouth - it wasn’t a stretch to draw parallels! Which brought me to the night of the third day is known also as Rat/Mice Wedding Day, when mice mate – a once off annual event it would seem! Or also called the Day of the Rat when food (rice & salt) are left out specifically to appease Rats in the year ahead (yes that’s correct)! In 2021, the nocturnal pursuits of man and mouse aligned on the 14 February. Dragon year, and Hallmark day doesn’t coincide but its pretty similar as 12 Feb is a Mars ruled day and tempers can easily become frayed — mind your words. Then again, if make-up fornication is your jam, enjoy the nocturnal pursuits! Surely it’s better than – to finding yourself in the Dog House on Scarlet Dog Day!

Taoist celebrates the birthday of the Sun deity -Sun Simiao, a Chinese physician and writer oft titled as China's King of Medicine, writing the Chinese Hippocratic Oath.

Happy Red Dog Day.

Living eye to eye with ancient wisdom

- FENG SHUI ISM