Wedded bliss on the calendar in 'double spring' lunar year

The lunar year ahead will be an auspicious time to get married because it contains two days marking the start of spring.

But those involved in the wedding business doubt that they will gain much benefit from it, because people tend to spend less money in uncertain economic times.

The Chinese lunar calendar for 2009 will include two dates regarded as the start of spring, or lichun. They are, according to the Gregorian calendar, February 4 this year and February 4, 2010.

Under Chinese tradition, 'double spring' lunar years are considered a good time to get married.

Fung shui master Sammy Au Chung-tak said people who married in double-spring years were likely to enjoy good relationships with partners and a good chance of having babies. Mr Au said the number of clients asking him to pick a wedding date over the past month had almost doubled from last year.

'The start of spring is always regarded as the beginning for everything that grows,' he said. 'To marry in a year of double spring means couples can enjoy 'double happiness' from their marriage.'

Another fung shui master, Mak Ling-ling, agreed that this lunar year would be a good time to get married. She said the double spring, plus the 'leap month' (a year with a leap month has 13 months), occurred every few years.