The Chinese Zodiac, also known as Shang Xiao, has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used by millions of people across the world (History & Origin). The Chinese Zodiac is based on the year an individual is born rather than the month and day (Western Zodiac). Legends and mythology are a tremendous part of Chinese culture, especially in the Chinese Zodiac (Chinese Zodiac History). The Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve-year cycle in which each year is related to an animal sign. There are 12 animal signs that are included in the calendar: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig. There are many legends and stories that surround the existence …show more content…
There is a wide range of explanations regarding this happening, with none being more credited over the other. According to one myth, the Chinese New Year Buddha organized the animal kingdom to determine how to restore order in the world (The Wonders of the Zodiac). However, only twelve animals showed up. The twelve animals that were present came to signify the Chinese Zodiac cycle. The order of the signs were determined by Buddha. The most well known legend of the Chinese Zodiac states that Buddha invited the twelve animals to participate in a race. The prize was a position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar in the order they finished. The first animal to make it across the finish line was the rat. The Chinese Zodiac legends and mythologies state that the rat used its brain rather than its strength to win the race (Chinese Zodiac History). The ox later strolled into second place, and also the tiger, using its strength, came in third. The list goes on until, finally, the pig/boar scored last place. Compared to many other legends/stories, almost every one of them presents the same concept as to how the animals were rewarded their position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar and how it was done (a …show more content…
Each of the twelve signs represents traits/characteristics an individual possesses. For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that an individual born in the Year of the Horse is “cheerful, popular, and quick to compliment others (The Wonders of the Zodiac).” The year of a person’s birth is considered the primary factor in determining a person’s personality, mental and physical attributes, and ability and level of success (The Wonders of the Zodiac). The animal signs also have a useful purpose in determining an individual’s age. Instead of questioning straightforwardly how old someone is, the Chinese, instead, asks for that person’s animal sign. This is a common way of socializing with
For thousands of years ancestors of ancient China have watched over people. They would protect them and watch over them providing that they pray. People of ancient China used a shrine. The shrine was used to honor the ancestors and ask for luck to come when needed. People of china believed there doors had to face south. They believed that the doors facing south brought good fortune and not misfortune. There are many ancient traditions in china for example Yan-Yat, Yan-Yat is the 7th day after chinese
In Taoism, each timing stands for a particular star. For example, one maybe born in the 23rd Feb, at 3pm. Each of this timings, 23rd Feb and 3pm, can be linked to a particular star and these stars will affect one’s destiny and character in time to come. Thus, stars are exceptionally important in Taoism as it directly affects the wellbeing of humans.
Everything was done in a fixed order according to the “eating rites.” http://www.china.org.cn/english/imperial/25995.htm. In The Book of Songs they say that over a 130 plants were given as well as over 100 animals some include ox, sheep dog and elephant. The drinks that were given known of the six clear were five qis and three jius and sweet or sour wine https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/food/2011-03/10/c.... The five qis were made of a rise base like sorghum and millet and the fan qi it more of a think liquid. And then you had the jius which was an occasion wine.
Each Year has different names. The names are animal names. The names are “rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig” (“Chinese Zodiac Sign”). The animal year can be related to the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthy branches.
It was the Beginning of the End. All of the creatures of the Zodiac fiercely contained in one room never led to anything other than pure, indestructible evil. Each creature sat under its exoteric ruler: the Ram under brutal Mars, the Bull and the Scales under lovely Venus, the Twins and the Maiden under speedy Mercury, the Crab under the glowing Moon, the Lion under the blazing Sun, the Scorpion under both Mars and Pluto, the Archer under Jupiter, the Sea-Goat under Saturn, the Water-Bearer under both Saturn and Uranus, and the Fish under both Jupiter and Neptune. All the beings were focused and not a sound was heard high on Mount Olympus. The Gods were having their usual disparity: power and greed. Some of the Constellations were confused
It took place every nine years and during the feast nine of each nine sacred specimens were sacrificed and hung on sacred trees (Parker
The legend “Cat and Rat Legend” By Ed Young is about an Emperor who had a race to see what animals should have a year in the Chinese Calendar.All of the animals were competing in the race.The race took place in the forest and river.This competition was long, long ago.Since the rat cheated and pushed the cat off the water buffalo , they have been enemies ever since.
It was recognized because the time of the 10 suns. In Chinese mythology, the sun is usually symbolized as a legged crow known as a sunbird. there have been 10 of those sunbirds, every of whom ar the offspring of Di Jun, God of the jap Heaven. The 10 sunbirds resided in a very fruit tree within the jap Sea; day by day one would travel round the world on a carriage, driven by Xihe, Mother of the Suns. Eventually, the sunbirds grew uninterested in the routine and set that each one of them were to rise at constant time. the warmth on earth became intense. As a result, crops shriveled within the fields. Lakes and ponds dried up. Human and non-human animals cowered in shelters or folded from exhaustion. Time passed and therefore the suffering continuing. Emperor Yao set to plead for divine intervention and to raise Di Jun for aid.
Each year in this calendar is related to a certain animal like a snake, ram, bull and even a rabbit, “it has 12 months in each year and an “intercalary” month every two to three years ("Introduction to Calendars")”. The Chinese calendar is such an old calendar with the New Year being on February 10 back in 2013, and it will be the 4711th year in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year is between January 21 to February 21, depending on when the new moon of the first lunar month is. The Chinese New Year celebration is a 15-day long celebration which is also known as the ‘Spring Festival’, it is the most known or significant of all the Chinese
The signs of the zodiac identified with twelve groups of stars {constellation} which we can see in the night sky at different times during the year. They were also associated with one of the four elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The word itself “Zodiac,” comes from a geek word meaning the circles of animals.”Each one of myths is associated with living being either animals or humans. The stories of the Greek zodiac’s twelve signs explain how each group of stars found its into the heavens.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience the meaning behind the Chinese New Year animals and there meaning
What is your Chinese Zodiac animal? Mine is the monkey. It is determined by your birth month. A Chinese Zodiac animal is an animal that is supposed to represent your personal traits. This is a compare and contrast essay. In this essay I will state some differences and similarities between the articles “Cat and Rat: The legend of the Chinese Zodiac”, and “How Cats and Mice became enemies”.
When I was little, I really didn’t know what astrology was or what your zodiac sign was. When I was growing up, I finally figured out what it all meant and how it worked. From that point on I was instantly clicked. I loved reading my horoscope and when ever I did read it, nine out of ten times it would be right, and that’s why I loved reading my horoscope. It was just something I did every morning, and then I would go throughout my day. Then at night when I would be back on the computer, i would reread them, and realize that most of the time those things did happen, or I did feel that type of emotion.
Chinese New Year follows a lunar calendar, and is on the first day of the first month on that lunar calendar. There are 12 different animals that make up the Chinese New Year, and also define what year the festival will be (e.g. “year of the monkey”). The twelve animals are the dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, rat, oxen, tiger, and rabbit. The festivities have duration of 15 days, and are celebrated by Chinese throughout the globe, with special Chinese decorations decorating houses. Throughout the festivities, those celebrating conduct activities, such as eating traditional Chinese food, spending time with relatives and loved ones, enjoy fireworks shows, sit back and watch traditional Chinese shows, and plan the forthcoming year. The festivities pay respect to the heavens, the earth, deceased family members and ancient Chinese gods.
Chinese New Year is the most widely celebrated tradition in Asia. The tradition is usually celebrated on the first day of the first month on the Chinese Lunar calendar. This tradition is rooted in centuries-old customs and is one of the most popular public holidays in China. Apart from China, this tradition is also celebrated in many Asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. There are many values and rituals tied with this tradition. For example, people would wear red clothing, decorate the house with red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. According to legend, it is said that red can drive away bad luck, which is why the color red is highly emphasized. In myths, our ancestors would