Early Born Expensive Son

For the Chinese, it is not enough that the New Year be happy - it must be prosperous too. That's why you can find this larger-than-life Cai Shen Ye (财神爷) or Wealth God within Shaw Centre.


Ironically, I don't have that much wealth to acquire such a large Wealth God but I certainly could afford a 10-inch version which costs me only $13.80:


However, don't you underestimate this little plump fellow. He can gyrate his body and head better than a seasoned Indian dancer. Not only that, he does that in synchronisation with disco lights and with the accompaniment of an auspicious albeit noisy song titled Cai Shen Dao (财神到). But I don't know if he will really bring wealth to my family. We shall wait and see.

Let me wish you a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year with the following wishes:

1. Wish Happy Be Rich

2. Horse Arrive Work Done

3. Step Step High Rise

4. Year Year Got Fish

5. One Road Smooth Wind

6. Heart Think Work Done

7. Dragon Horse Sperm God

If you thought that I came up with the above wishes myself, then you couldn't be more wrong. Believe it or not, they were published exactly 5 years ago in our Business Times!

Oh by the way, the wishes mean:

1. Wishing you happiness and prosperity (Gong Xi Fa Cai 恭喜发财)

2. Wishing you quick success in everything you do (Ma Dao Gong Cheng 马到工成)

3. May you rise up the ranks (Bu Bu Gao Sheng 步步高升)

4. May you have excess and abundance (Nian Nian You Yu 年年有余)

5. May you have a smooth journey (Yi Lu Shun Feng 一路顺风)

6. May your heart's desires come true (Xin Xiang Shi Cheng 心想事成)

7. Wishing you excellent health and vitality (Long Ma Jing Shen 龙马精神)

The article was forwarded to me by a colleague recently. My reply to him was:

"May the Sperm God bestow you with Early Born Expensive Son."

Oops... on second thought, it sounded more like I was referring to my premature son whose hospital bill came up to more than $30,000 without subsidy.

Actually, I meant to wish him to be blessed with a precious baby soon (Zao Sheng Gui Zi 早生贵子)