It does not surprise me that my husband is an Ox. He's a stolid plodder who has worked tirelessly to provide for his family, and he has always scorned wasting any of our money. I have learned to really appreciate both those aspects, over the many years we've been together.
On Jan 26, 9:52 am, Xi Ling <[email protected]> wrote: > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28OKgsVobHo > > Not just here in China, but for many people around the world one of the most > intriguing traditions of the Lunar Calendar is its zodiac animals. The > ancient system is thousands of years old and reveals small mysteries about > our characters and our future. This year is the Year of the Ox. > The ox is considered a more preferable animal to its predecessor in the > Zodiac cycle, the rat. The ox was one of the earliest domesticated animals, > serving as a crucial agricultural tool before the creation of machines. As > many as 2500 years ago, Chinese people made oxen plow the fields, meaning > humans no longer had to perform such a laborious task. > > The ox's image as a faithful and reliable friend of humans has been > immortalized in numerous legends. The most well-known one in China is the > love story of "Niu Lang and Zhi Nv", or" the Cowherd and the Girl Weaver." > > Bai Dacheng, Folk Artist, said, "In the tale of the Cowherd and the Girl > Weaver", the old ox sacrifices his own life so that Cowherd can dress in his > skin to fly to the sky and meet his wife who has been banished to the > heavens. The story represents a typical image of the ox that has long been > rooted in Chinese people's minds. Whether in folklore or in artifacts, the > ox has been portrayed as a dedicated and docile animal." > > The Chinese animal signs form a 12-year cycle used to date the years. They > represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the Western linear concept > of time. > > The first Year of the Ox in the 20th century was 1901. Take a look at this > list to see whether you were born in a year of the ox. > > Celebrities who were include: Li Bai, the famous Chinese poet living in the > Tang Dynasty; Yang Kaihui, the first wife of the late Chinese leader Mao > Zedong; Richard Nixon, the late US president who broke the ice between China > and the US; and Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister. > > Bai, said, "It is believed that a person takes on the characteristics of the > animal whose year he or she was born in. Those born in the years of the Ox > are diligent, patient, determined and easy going. They are excellent > organizers and devoted family members." > > "Niu", the Chinese word meaning ox or bull can also be used as an adjective, > as an informal alternative to "strong" or "excellent". For example, a "bull" > market, as opposed to a "bear" market, refers to a booming stock market in > which prices are rising or are expected to rise. The word "niu" can also > used to describe people who can do incredible things. > > Many people believe the Year of the Ox symbolizes prosperity through > fortitude. And after the global economic slump hit in 2008, everyone is > eager to put the year of the Rat behind them. It's not just China that's > celebrating the arrival of the lunar new year. Canada, the United States, > Brazil and France have all issued special Year of the Ox stamps, drawing > praise from stamp collectors and ordinary people alike. > > Here's hoping the New Year brings change for the good. > > niu1.jpg > 29KViewDownload > > niu2.jpg > 23KViewDownload > > niu3.jpg > 45KViewDownload --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World-thread" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/world-thread?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
