The Year of the Metal Ox: Tradition, Folklore, and Cattle in Lunar New Year

In 2021, we step into the Year of the Ox in our traditional Chinese zodiac calara cycle that is divided into twelve animal signs accompanied by one of five elements. As this year belongs to the metal ox, those born under this sign are expected to exhibit remarkable leadership skills with a dash of cautiousness and stubborn resilience.

In Chinese folklore, individuals born in an ox year might face some misfortuneparticularly concerning their career path, finances, or health. However, it's crucial for these diligent oxen to stay mindful: their natural perseverance can sometimes lead them into stressful scenarios if they don't take regular breaks from work and monitor their blood pressure.

The Ox symbolizes trustworthiness and reliability. People born in this sign are often seen as depable individuals capable of making wise decisions. On the flip side, they might be overly judgmental or stubborn at timesa trt that can sometimes lead to conflicts with others.

Now let's dive into some traditional Lunar New Year customs and the significance behind them:

1 F Chuns: These ornate red paper signs adorned with Chinese characters are used to decorate homes during Lunar New Year. They symbolize good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. Originally hand for a personal touch, modern versions mass-produced these decorations, which are typically square or rectangular in shape.

A crucial part of traditional f chuns is the upside-down display of the character 'Fu'. The Chinese language plays an interesting linguistic trick; words that sound alike can be related to one another. The phrase upside down and to arrive share similar pronunciation sounds, leading people to believe that good luck arrives when the character for luck is displayed upside down on doors.

For a memorable experience during Lunar New Year celebrations:

• What to Say: Use traditional greetings like 'Xin Nian Ku Le' Happy New Year and 'Xin Dong Xin Qi' 'May all your wishes come true'.

• Avoid Certn Behaviors: Refrn from borrowing money, as it's believed that starting the year in debt can bring monetary troubles throughout the year.

As for cattle production:

In Hong Kong's historical context, oxen were once vital to farmers who used them to till fields. Today, however, almost all food is imported into the city, and farming has largely disappeared. Traditionally, farmers would let old or unwanted cattle roam freely.

There are two types of cattle in Hong Kong:

1 Water Buffalo: Commonly found near rivers and marshes in Kam Tin and southern Lantau Island.

2 Domestic OxCattle: This species can be spotted across various habitats including farming areas, grasslands, and urban spaces except on Hong Kong Island.

These animals have a unique way of bathing in mud to protect themselves from insects due to their widely spread hooves that prevent them from sinking into the mud.

Based on data provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department AFCD, there are approximately 1,110 cattle heads and around 120 water buffalo throughout Lantau Island, S Kung, Ma On Shan, and parts of the New Territories.

The South China Morning Post team brings you in-depth visual stories across various topics. From politics to culture, technology to martial arts, our award-winning multimedia narratives cover a wide spectrum.

For more infographics from the SCMP, visit: Infographics HomepageInfographics homepage

Explore our collection of print-based graphics as they appeared in the South China Morning Post newspaper:

• SCMP Print GraphicsSCMP Print graphics

Stay updated with us on social media platforms:

Follow UsFollow us

All rights reserved ? 2024 South China Morning Post Ltd.
This article is reproduced from: https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/culture/article/3121122/year-of-the-ox/index.html

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.aq89.com/Naming_Name/Chinese_Zodiac_Ox_Year_Customs_2021.html