【专题 Life Upclose】Horse, Galloping

Hello and welcome to "Life Upclose", your weekly show where we discuss people, lifestyles and China's ever-changing society. I'm Yao Yongmei in Beijing. 2014 is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese zodiac calendar, and lasts from January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015. In Chinese culture, the Horse, is a symbol of nobility, class, speed and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be smart, energetic, trustworthy, and are fabulous speakers with a gift for getting through to other people. When celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Horse and sending new year wishes and blessings to their friends, colleagues and family, a pun that has become extremely popular among Chinese people, particularly the young, is the greeting, wishing the recipient to "immediately gain wealth in the Year of the Horse". Well, although a better life is not necessarily associated with an increase in material wealth, it's a nice wish to spread during the holiday season. So what are ordinary Chinese people expecting from the year of the horse in terms of both material pleasure and spiritual enlightenment? Let's find out more on this edition of "Life Upclose".