| In ancient
times, Chinese ancestors counted the years with 10 celestial stems and
12 terrestrial branches. Although this was scientific, most people were
illiterate and could not memorize or calculate these easily. Thus the
animals that influenced people's lives were chosen to symbolize the terrestrial
branches: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey,
rooster, dog, and pig. |
| Legend
has it that one day the gods ordered that animals be designated as the
signs of each year with the twelve who arrived first selected. At that
time, the cat and mouse were good friends and neighbors. When they heard
of this news, the cat said to mouse: 'We should arrive early to sign up,
but I usually get up late.' The mouse then promised to awaken his friend
and to go together. However, on the morning when he got up, he was too
excited to recall his promise, and went directly to the gathering place.
On the way, the mouse encountered the tiger, ox, horse, and other animals
that ran much faster. In order not to fall behind them, he thought up
a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on condition that
he sang for the ox. The ox and mouse arrived first. The ox was happy thinking
that he would be the first sign of the years, but the mouse had already
slid in front, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac.
Meanwhile his neighbor the cat was too late; when it finally arrived,
the selections were over. That's why other animals appear behind the little
mouse and why the cat hates mice so much that every time they meet, the
cat will chase and kill the mouse. |
| For a
long time there has been a special relationship between humans and the
12 zodiacal animals. Humans admired them, took them as totems, and in
the artistic field, those animal signs were among the features of those
themes. This can be reflected in artisans' works, New-Year pictures, pottery
and bronze wares, especially on the bronze mirrors before the appearance
of glass ones, on which elaborate forms showed creativity and passion
as well as wishes for a good life. |
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