{ Editor ’ s NOTE
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{ Editor ’ s NOTE
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Sirachai Arunrugstichai
If you ’ ve crossed paths with the Sinosphere on any level , you ’ ve probably noticed that it ’ s currently the Year of the Dragon ( longnian 龍年 ). And if you were really paying attention , you would have spotted that it ’ s technically the Year of the Wood Dragon , since wood ( mu 木 ) was the basic element that came around as we rang in the Lunar New Year in 2024 .
What you may not know is that you should not be getting a new puppy this year , you should avoid having your bed in the northwest corner of your bedroom , and you should definitely not marry anyone born in the Year of the Tiger – if tranquillity and harmony is what you seek in your marriage . More importantly , though , since gold and yellow are the auspicious colours associated with the wood dragon in Chinese astrology , you might want to make regular use of that mustard-coloured jacket from the back of the wardrobe and maybe even treat yourself to some nice new 24-carat jewellery !
All of which brings us to this very special Yellow Edition of ASIAN Geographic , which is positively gleaming with gold-hued and yellow-tinged stories . In “ All That Glitters Is Gold ”, on page 20 , discover the significance of the precious yellow metal not just in the Sinic world but across Asia . Travel with us along “ The Mighty Yellow ” ( page 72 ) and explore what makes China ’ s second-largest river so unique . And in “ Yellow in Peril ” ( page 62 ), learn why yellow seahorses ( along with dozens of other Hippocampus species ) are dying in terrifying numbers – and no , traditional Chinese medicine is not the real culprit .
Ian Bongso-Seldrup