"The ox carried the rat, who pushed the cat, who nearly drowned and lost the race in the legend behind the Chinese Zodiac, an ancient system steeped in lore that puzzles and enthralls".
Ringing in the Year of the Ox. The Chinese sure know how to throw a party, a big one at that. Today is the second day of the 15-day Chinese New Year festival.
Our President was born on the Year of the Ox. Leadership qualities, dependability, strength and responsibilty are among the traits mentioned in his sign. He is a metal Ox that symbolizes prosperity through hard work. That's a good thing considering what he's got on his plate.
On the second day of the celebration, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs. In China the animal of your birth year defines and influences you for the rest of your life, in my case it's the dog! Chinese New Year zodiac Dog will never let you down. Shut up about it already, but it's true, I promise!
According to my horoscope, "people born in this Chinese zodiac sign possess the best traits of human nature. (Yeah right!) They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. They care little for wealth; yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. Chinese zodiac sign Dog people make good leaders. They would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent".
Doggone! Where was I when all the good traits fell from the canine heaven? I sure did not get my better share of them, except maybe the money part , meaning I don't care much for wealth. And the teacher part, not that I was ever good at being one! I enjoyed that four-year stint teaching. Blabbermouth, that I'm not and my friends can attest to that.
How and why the 12 animals fall in their order in the ancient Chinese calendar system sounds fascinating. There are several colorful stories about the origin. Here's some of them:
"One story has Buddha inviting all the animals in the kingdom to a meeting. In another, it's the Jade Emperor holding a great banquet. Some animals outwit others to get there first, with their places in the zodiac assigned according to when they arrived.
A third legend is more like "The Amazing Race," in a competition that includes a river crossing followed by a gathering at the emperor's palace. The kindly ox agrees to carry the scheming rat and the cat across the water on his back, but the rat betrays his friend the cat by pushing him into a swift current and hops off the ox to claim the top spot".
Always, the cat and the rat were once best friends but wind up mortal enemies.
Anyone cares for ox tail soup? Not my Chinese friends Philip who's an ABC ( American-born Chinese) and Rose who's a mutt! Food is great but she even stays away from Chinatown during these days! Sorry Rose if I'm picking on you, as usual.
Happy New Year! What's your sign?
