Year of monkey, tiger, snake and pig beware: fortune tellers see conflict and chaos this coming lunar year

Expect conflicts and chaos in the Year of Monkey, say fortune tellers from both Chinese and Western schools of divination.

But it’s not at all pessimistic. Despite the painful struggle brought by stock market fluctuation, fall in property prices and political clashes, a new world order will be born after the wrongs are weeded out.

Feng shui master Ma Lai-wah said the Year of Monkey will be a difficult year.

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He said based on the four pillars of destiny on the first day of spring - which was on Feb 4, the official beginning of the new year - chaos and conflicts are expected, particularly during the first half of 2016.

“There will be chaos, conflicts or even violence,” Ma said. “The economic outlook is grim and political conflicts will be escalated.”

He advised the public to be prepared for stock market turmoil and a 10 to 20 per cent drop in property prices in the first half of the year.

Ma said the Year of Monkey will also be a year for a new order. “Young people will win the Legco election,” he said.

He said heavyweight candidates, whether they are pan-democrats or pro-establishment, will lose the Legislative Council election in September. “The young generation will take over,” he said.