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In traditional Chinese culture, the twelve zodiac animals are more than just markers of time; they are like twelve soul messengers with distinct personalities. The Tiger, brave and fearless, with a presence that shakes mountains; the Rabbit, gentle yet resilient.
The ancients understood that every living being follows the laws of heaven and earth. Their survival wisdom is the deepest secret of nature. The Rat forages quietly at midnight to avoid predators; the Rabbit leaps out at dawn to greet the first tender grass under the rising sun.
Animals' keen observation of their environment far surpasses human capability. As part of this vast universe, we should sometimes learn from these silent teachers. Learn how they find vitality in adversity and maintain caution in prosperity.
The Rat Zodiac
The Rat, with its small eyes gleaming brightly, seems to hold the secrets of the night. Its long whiskers dance lightly, like the brush strokes of time, sketching a portrait of agility on its nimble face. As the first of the twelve zodiac signs, it proudly occupies the throne of the Zi hour (11 pm - 1 am).
Ancient legend has it that when chaos was undivided and all things lay dormant in endless darkness and void, it was the Rat who quietly gnawed open the shackles of chaos at midnight, creating a thin but hopeful crack for heaven and earth. This led to the saying "the Rat gnaws open the sky," making it a symbol of wisdom and courage in the river of time.
The Ox Zodiac
The Ox, with eyes like stars and a body as solid as a mountain, its gently curved horns resembling a new moon hanging on its forehead. People praise the "night feeding by lamplight, plowing by moonlight" story, which perfectly fits the quiet Chou hour (1 am - 3 am) when all things await the dawn.
After the "Rat gnawed open the sky," the earth needed to be opened. Thus came the saying "the earth opened in Chou." This is not mere fiction. In this grand picture of the world's creation, the Ox, with its steadfast and unwavering steps, quietly plowed the vast fields, not only turning over the sleeping soil but also sowing seeds of hope. It remains a true warrior of earth-opening, an embodiment of strength and perseverance to this day.
The Tiger Zodiac
The Tiger, with deep eyes flashing with inviolable coldness, majestic and imposing, especially with its habit of hiding by day and emerging at night, further displays its kingly aura, perfectly matching the Yin hour (3 am - 5 am). Ancient wisdom says, "Life between heaven and earth, birth and death in cycles, is the law of nature." When a child is born, people hope for protection, and so the Tiger, the king of the mountains and forests, is entrusted with the sacred mission of guarding the young.
Thus, "painting a tiger on the door" is not just a bold protective totem, but also a deep longing for peace and good fortune in the depths of one's heart.
The Rabbit Zodiac
The Rabbit, graceful in posture, with ears as long and straight as carved bamboo. An old saying goes, "When the rabbit enters the Mao palace, spring returns to the earth." In ancient times, people believed rabbits were auspicious omens, hence the custom of gifting rabbit paintings. This was intended to borrow the rabbit's gentle, lovable, agile, and alert nature to pray for peace at home and a smooth future, hoping that life would be as lively and carefree as a rabbit, full of vitality and hope.
The Dragon Zodiac
The Dragon has been a symbol of worship and awe for the Chinese nation since ancient times. It has a strong and graceful body, with scales shimmering brightly, soaring above the nine heavens, preferring to show its extraordinary posture amid clouds and mist.
In folk tradition, during years of great drought, people would hold grand ceremonies to devoutly worship the Dragon King. As the deity in charge of water domains, the Dragon King was endowed with supreme divine power and a merciful heart. People believed that through sincere prayers and offerings, they could beseech the Dragon King to manifest and bring down sweet rain to save all living beings. The Dragon, descending like a deity, brings life-giving rain and the dawn of hope with its auspicious presence, deeply revered and loved by all people.
The Snake Zodiac
The Snake, a graceful creature of nature, with its uniquely flexible body, gently coils around ancient tree trunks. When dawn breaks and the mist disperses, as thousands of golden rays pierce through the clouds to illuminate the earth, snakes emerge from their holes to seek food. This marks the arrival of the Si hour (9 am - 11 am).
The hexagram of the fourth month perfectly symbolizes the Snake, with spring in full bloom and all things reviving, providing an ideal environment for concealment and hunting. Many ancient legends about snakes circulate among the people, saying they are spiritual and should not be insulted lightly. This is not only a reverence for the mysterious forces of nature but also a manifestation of the respect due to every living being in the ecological balance.
The Horse Zodiac
The Horse, that free spirit of the grasslands, galloping at will on the vast green carpet, its four hooves like nimble drumsticks, playing a galloping melody between heaven and earth. Sometimes all four hooves are in the air, sometimes firmly on the ground. This alternation between soaring and grounding is just as the ancients said: soaring represents the passion of yang, while grounding represents the steadiness of yin. Horses dance with the vitality of life in this rhythm of yin and yang, their agility and strength perfectly matching the yang energy of the Wu hour (11 am - 1 pm), shining brightly.
Looking back, they were not only helpful companions in agricultural civilization but also brave warriors in times of war. Today, although we have entered the mechanical age, we still habitually call the roads on which cars travel "horse roads." This is not only a tribute to past years but also a remembrance of the brilliant contributions horses made in the past.
The Goat Zodiac
The Goat, a gentle creature with small, pointed horns like hooks of the new moon. When the sunset pours over the earth like molten gold, this is the perfect moment for goats to enjoy nature's bounty—the Wei hour (1 pm - 3 pm).
An old saying goes, "Fish and mutton are delicacies." This is not just praise for the taste buds but an ode to the exquisite flavor of mutton.
As an ancient and sacred sacrificial offering, the goat carries people's awe and gratitude towards nature. In the long river of history, it has witnessed countless solemn and sacred rituals.
The Monkey Zodiac
The Monkey, a sprite leaping through the forest, its eyes sparkling with wisdom. They are agile, with nimble limbs, especially adept at climbing nimbly among high branches and dense leaves. Every time the sun sets and the sky is tinged with a golden hue, the monkey troops emit melodious and rhythmic cries. This is their farewell to the passing day and a unique scenery of the Shen hour (3 pm - 5 pm).
In traditional Chinese culture, monkeys are not only symbols of liveliness and cuteness but also embodiments of auspiciousness and wisdom. Because "monkey" and "marquis" are homophones in Chinese, monkeys are given a deeper cultural meaning. In countless exquisite paintings and sculptures, the image of the monkey is endowed with the noble imagery of being conferred a marquis title. Especially the classic image of "being conferred a marquis title on horseback" conveys good wishes for a smooth official career and great success.
The Rooster Zodiac
The Rooster, a spirited creature of nature, dressed in colorful plumage, its gait full of vigor and pride. As the sun sets, they energetically pace in front of their nests by the doorway. This is the scene of the You hour (5 pm - 7 pm); as the You hour arrives, the prelude to the rooster's dawn crow quietly begins.
The ancients firmly believed that roosters harbored the divine power to ward off evil. Their sharp eyes could perceive malevolent spirits, fearlessly guarding the peace of the home. The early Qing dynasty scholar Chen Haozi had this exquisite description in "Flower Mirror": "The rooster can fight victoriously, its courage in battle is like warriors clashing; its eyes can ward off evil, its sharp gaze can break through the invasion of ten thousand evils."
The Dog Zodiac
The Dog, this loyal creature, has been humanity's most steadfast companion since ancient times. When people finish a day's hard work and drag their tired bodies home, there is always a figure standing firmly outside the threshold, guarding the peace and warmth of home with its deep and gentle gaze. This is the dog, transforming into the night's guardian during the Xu hour (7 pm - 9 pm), loyal without equal.
In folk tradition, people affectionately call dogs "Wang Cai." This nickname not only comes from the homophone of their "wang wang" bark with the word "prosperous," but also contains people's good wishes for a thriving and prosperous life.
The Pig Zodiac
The Pig, a lovable creature with small ears and a short tail, its entire body a treasure trove. When the dawn's first light breaks through the chaos between heaven and earth, and the night has not yet fully retreated, the Hai hour (9 pm - 11 pm) quietly arrives.
The pig occupies the final position in the cycle of the twelve zodiac animals. It is a symbol of diligence and harvest in agricultural culture. The pig's life seems to always be closely connected with "eating," and that devotion and love for food inevitably makes one think of the simplicity and purity of life.
The pig also plays a crucial role in sacrificial ceremonies. As an essential offering, it not only carries people's reverence and remembrance for their ancestors but also symbolizes the unity and harmony of the family.
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