With Marxist doctrine fading among many of the Chinese, superstition has become increasingly common with party officials looking to achieve a promotion or better workforce cohesion.

According to today's New York Times, an increasingly important factor in real estate dealmaking is feng shui, the ancient Chinese rules governing energy flow and really picky interior design.

It's a new year, the dawning of a new political era, and on Monday your calendar should be marked for the most important shift of all: the start of the Chinese lunar year! The Year of the Ox, according to Feng Shui gurus, won't bring an end to the world's woes, nor an easy ride for Barack Obama's first months in office, even though he was born in the Year of the Ox, which apparently means he's patient, hardworking, stable and tenacious. Then again, other Ox leaders have included Richard Nixon and Margaret Thatcher, so make of that what you will.