Another View

Sunday, January 04, 2009 03:45 AM

Opinion250 has invited Ning Ma, a Chinese student studying English at UNBC, to write a weekly article for us. We thought this would be helpful to Ning as he strives to improve his English skills, and helpful to us as we can see how others view Prince George, B.C. and Canada. Consider this an educational opportunity for all involved, and that is why we won't be inviting comment on this weekly submission. We are interested in your thoughts on things Ning should experience and write about. We are also providing the same article in Mandarin as an opportunity for Ning's family and friends to learn more about us.

-Elaine Macdonald

The Chinese Zodiac

2009 is here.

In Chinese traditional culture this year, 2009, is the “year of the ox” in Chinese zodiac. So I will introduce the Chinese zodiac at the beginning of this year.

The Chinese zodiac is a very ancient tradition. The earliest record of its beginning dates back to the Heng theory (it is a name of an old Chinese book) from the Eastern Han Dynasty. This Dynasty was the Chinese government 1800 years ago.

The Chinese zodiac and the Western zodiacs use different symbols. In the west, people use mythology to name the zodiac. However, China is not the same. It uses animals to name the zodiac that are, in order: mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal has a different meaning. The Chinese ancestors who made the zodiac hoped people in the future would have luck and the kinds of abilities of each animal.

Next I will talk about each animal and explain their special feature.

The first is the "mouse". It means to be alert. In Chinese people’s eyes the mouse is very smart and has strong vitality.

The second is the "ox", which means stamina. The ox was the most important power for ploughing farms in old times.

The third is the "tiger", meaning authority. Usually Chinese ancient generals’ armor has the tiger symbol.

The fourth is "rabbit", it means cautious. Rabbit is very good at keeping itself safe and will run away if it feels danger.

The fifth is the "dragon" and it means distinguished. Only the Chinese emperor has the right to wear the dragon symbol in feudal time, so it is the symbol of imperial power.

The sixth is the "Snake". It means flexibility. Snake has a very flexibility body.

The seventh is "horse". It means speed. Horse can run very fast.

The eighth is the "sheep", which means peace. Sheep is a very mild animal.

The ninth is a "monkey", and this means quick. Monkey will jump and climb in trees very quickly.

Tenth is a “rooster”, it means punctuality. Rooster is very punctual when it crows in the morning.

Eleventh is a "dog" and means faithful. Dogs are the best and the most faithful helper of human beings.

Twelfth is "pig", it means rich. Pig is plump so Chinese consider it is sign of having deep pockets of life.

Chinese people think that every year there is one animal of the twelve that will protect each year so people can find peace and richness. Most Chinese people consider that the animal for their year of birth is like their patron saint. For me, I was born in the year of the Snake, so my lucky animal is the snake.

If you are interested about the Chinese zodiac you can try to find more information on your zodiac animal and symbol. (You can find more information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology#Chinese_zodiac )

China has an old saying. It means the year of cattle or horse is good at agriculture because usually the weather will beneficial for agriculture. I hope it will become true and make us live through this economic crisis very fast because agriculture is base of economic if no food no life.

The New Year has come, I wish all the readers happiness and good luck in this year.

中国生肖

转眼间 2009年已经来了，在中国的传统文化中2009年是“中国生肖”的“牛”年。所以我也借着新年这个机会向大家介绍一下中国的生肖。

生肖是中国很古老的传统。最早的完整记载是东汉时期的【衡论】记载了生肖的信息。距今已经有1800多年的历史了。

中国生肖和西方的黄道的代表图腾有很多的不同。在西方的黄道使用希腊神话故事中的天神来命名的。但是在中国就不一样了，在中国是用动物来表达的。按照顺序是“鼠”“牛”“虎”“兔”“龙”“蛇”“马”“羊”“猴”“鸡”“狗”“猪”。每个属相都有不同的意义，他们寄托着中国古代祖先对后代的期望。下面我就介绍一下他们的意义，并且解释他们之中比较特殊的。

第一个是“鼠”，代表机敏。在中国人眼中老鼠非常机敏，并且生命力极强。

第二个是“牛”，代表耐力。

第三个是“虎”，代表威严。在虎是勇猛的象征，在古代中国武将的服装上经常可以看到虎的图腾。

第四个是“兔”，代表谨慎。

第五个是“龙”，代表尊贵。中国只有皇帝才有权利里穿着龙的图腾。

第六个是“蛇”，代表柔韧。

第七个是“马”，代表速度。

第八个是“羊”，代表和顺。

第九个是“猴”，代表灵活。

第十个是“鸡”，代表恒定。因为即每天早晨很守时的打鸣所以中国人认为他们是持之以恒的象征。

第十一个是“狗”，代表忠诚。

第十二个是“猪”，代表富贵。