The Countdown to Chinese ‘Niu’-Year Begins!

The ‘Niu’ (which is Chinese for ‘Ox’ for us non-native speakers) Year ushers in unconventional ways of celebrating the Lunar New Year. For many, red money packets are replaced with online transfers, family reunions are smaller and held in private, and traditional yee sang’s are delivered by Grab riders instead of waiters in restaurants. Yet despite these changes – the excitement to leave a year marred by a global pandemic remains high. 

While the Year of the Rat was fast, hard and active; the Chinese Zodiac foresees the year of the Ox to bring positivity, honesty and hard work. According to Chinese astrologers, the traits of the Ox, such as diligence, persistence, and altruism will be greatly rewarded in the coming year. Here are some of the ways the traits of an Ox can carry us through yet another uncertain year. 

The Art of Diligence

‘Diligence’ is the badge of honour bestowed upon the Ox following the mythical race organised by the Jade Emperor, where the Ox emerged at the forefront of the race by staying focused on the finish line. Diligent behaviour itself is defined as careful and persistent effort – traits that are revered in the investing community. 

At the close of a hectic January, groups of voices online have come to question the importance of these traits. Particularly after witnessing the seemingly chaotic wave of Redditors who drove up the stock prices for GameStop, Elon Musk driving the stock markets haywire with a Tweet that read: ‘Game Stonk!’ and Robinhood hot on the heels of Bernie Sanders as the most meme-d event of 2021 so far. But truth be told, each of the events above have been carefully and diligently organised, no matter how unconventional the methods used were. 

Just like the Ox, you can make your money work to bring you prosperous returns through investing in many different asset classes. For 2021, practice diligence, move at your own pace and pick the right investment opportunities for you. 

Persist. It Matters. 

It is said that the Ox never gets tired of working, which is the reason why it continues to occupy first place in the hearts of the honest (even if it came in second in the Emperor’s mythical race). Similarly, persistence is a big theme for 2021, especially for those who move forward with the belief that things will get better. 

For us, our issuers are persistence, personified. We’ve witnessed FEFIFO raise 390% above their fundraising targets for their business model of providing agriculture graduates with ready-to-farm spaces. We’ve also celebrated with Josens, who raised an incredible 313% above target for their line of superfoods. While we’ve had other incredibly successful issuers in the past, these two companies went the extra mile by crowdfunding, and working around the clock during a global pandemic. 

In another year with so many uncertainties, persistence is our only way forward in progressing towards our goals. 

Altruism: Helping Others, Warming Yourself

Despite the competitive nature of the race, the Ox remained silent as the rat jumped on its back as they crossed the stretch of a river before the palace of the Jade emperor. The altruism of the Ox led to the zodiac calendar as we know it today; and has endeared it to millions across the globe. 

While being altruistic in an increasingly difficult world may go against our survival instincts – we go farther when we bring everyone together. This trait lies at the heart of Ata Plus, and forms one of our key tenets: ‘Wealth is Infinite When the Crowd Unites.’ We hope 2021 continues to be a prosperous year for all our readers. 

 

From all of us here in Ata Plus, we wish you an Ox-Cellent Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!