This is the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese calendar and it begins today! As we’ve discussed in previous years, the Chinese zodiac corresponds to different traits and different lucky charms each year. Where 2016 was the year of the monkey, full of surprises and changes, 2017 was the Year of the Rooster, a time when presentation was everything and confidence was king, but this is the Year of the Dog- a time to get back to basics and work hard, foster loyalty and endeavor to persevere.
Dogs are honest and loyal, filled with determination and energy, this year we expect to see luck build on the back of hard work and determination. Where the rooster gave points for presentation, dogs understand that if you want to dig up the bone, you have to keep digging. Dogs are observant and sensitive to details, making them keen for jobs in the background or behind-the-scenes where they can persist unencumbered on their career.
Lucky things for Dogs
- Colors: green, red, purple
- Numbers: 3, 4, 9
- Mineral: emerald
- Directions of auspiciousness: north, northwest
- Directions of wealth: southeast
- Directions of love: south
Unlucky things
- Colors: blue, brown
- Numbers: 1, 7, 8
While we enjoy discussing the upcoming year as described by the Chinese New Year, the celebration of this event has a powerful global impact. Chinese New Year is a month long celebration that absolutely shuts down factories, shippers, logistics outfits and other global trades throughout the country. Suppliers and overseas customers begin preparation for the shutdown just after Christmas and need to have solid plans in place to mitigate delays and issues that arise when the world’s leading exporter stops entirely. Numbers from imports, exports, distribution and GDP are always lower during the month and forecasts have to account for the stoppage while calculating in the huge uptick and inevitable backlog, delays and bottlenecks coming after work resumes. We wish our Chinese friends, family and clients a Happy New Year filled with luck and celebrations and hope they enjoy this year of hard work and determination. While the year isn’t said to be especially lucky for those born in a Year of the Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006) we think very few others would find this to be a bad year with maybe one other possible exception.
