Happy Chinese Niu Year!

That was not a spelling error up there. Niu is how you say ox in Chinese. (It sounds like new).

Gong Xi Fa Cai

From all of us at Starfish.


I went and did some research and I wanted to share it with you. I amused me greatly because I was born in the year of the metal ox. Many of the characteristics describe me very well, however forget about being calm all the time. Yeah on the intelligence one, but spot on about being told what to do as anyone who knows me can tell you.

In the Chinese calendar, depending on which year you're born in, you will naturally hold some of the characteristics and qualities accorded to the particular animal of that year. For example, any child born in the Ox Year is said to be an quiet infant, perfectly content provided they receive regular affection and food. There are also a complementing five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) with each new year. The elements further individualise various aspects of the individuals born in that year. This year of the Ox is based on the Earth Element.

Characteristics of a person born in the Ox Year :
a natural leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great tasks
are dependable, calm, and modest
unswervingly patient and tireless in their work
need peace and quiet to work through their ideas
has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, even without imagination
are kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground
are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do
they have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends

Why are the 12 Zodiac Animals important?
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha summoned all the animals on Earth to meet him on Chinese New Year. However, only thirteen animals came. The animals were the Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and the pig. In honour of their attendance, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of them. However, a dispute soon arose as to which order the animals would be named. In his wisdom, the Buddha arranged a race whereby the outcome would decide the order.
All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side. The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water. At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto the ox's back and guide him across. The ox was steady and hard-working so that he did not notice the commotion on his back. In the meantime, the rat sneaked up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat jumped off and finished the race first. The lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth place. As a result, the rat was named as the first year while, the ox got the second year, and so on, up to the pig. The cat finished too late to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forever more.

Life, Love and Laughter,

Amanda

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Xian China
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