BEIJING, Feb. 10 -- It's the Year of the Tiger, but Chinese fortune tellers believe it will be a rough patch for the world's most famous one, golfer Tiger Woods.

Other predictions: Trying times for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, financial-market turmoil, spikes in fire-related natural disasters and a crucial period for United States President Barack Obama.

Under the school of feng shui - the traditional practice of predicting fortunes through dates and classical Chinese texts - the new lunar year starting on Sunday is associated with the natural elements of metal, wood, thunder and fire.

U.S. team member Tiger Woods watches play as he stands on the sixth hole during his foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Harding Park golf course in San Francisco, California, in this October 8, 2009 file photo

Metal is a symbol of righteous action - like waging war. Thunder and fire symbolize volatility, while wood feeds the fire.

It's a recipe for geopolitical tension and drastic market movements, according to feng shui experts.

"People will try to take on the strong and help the weak," Hong Kong feng shui adviser Raymond Lo said, noting that the previous Year of the Tiger associated with metal was 1950 - the year the Korean War broke out.

"They will try to help their fellow brothers. They will help friends who are being bullied. This year will be more violent."

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