The Twelve Zodiac Animals
Publisher:
Research Press
Publication:
1/2009
Languages:
English
Binding:
Paperback
ISBN/SKU:
9787801684615
Pages:
234
Sizes:
206 x 140mm
Weight:
0.4100
On OrderTo be dispatched within 4 weeks
Special Price
£37.56
£37.56
Regular Price
£39.95
(€42.07)
The shengxiao, or animals of the Chinese zodiac, forms a method of numbering the years based on the names of 12 different animals. In sequential order, these animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
For over three millennia, China has followed the lunar calendar to record time. To count the years, the lunar calendar uses the 10 Heavenly Stems (jia, yi, bing, ding, wu, ji, geng, xin, ren, and gui) and the 12 Earthly Branches (zi, chou, yin, mao, chen, si, wu, wei, shen, you, xu, hai). Each person is assigned one of the 12 animals to correspond with, and represent, the Earthly Branch of the year in which he or she was born. The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac thus are used to number the years, record and measure time, and determine each person's zodiac sign.
An essential and deep-rooted part of China's traditional culture, the shengxiao has had a profound impact on Chinese people. The shengxiao culture permeates every aspect of Chinese social life and is intimately connected with the lives of the Chinese people. The zodiac animals are used to inquire about the age of others, and shengxiao-related folktales, customs and even games can be found throughout China. The Chinese zodiac animals also play a prominent role in fortune-telling, and are beautifully illustrated and depicted in works of art and literature.
For over three millennia, China has followed the lunar calendar to record time. To count the years, the lunar calendar uses the 10 Heavenly Stems (jia, yi, bing, ding, wu, ji, geng, xin, ren, and gui) and the 12 Earthly Branches (zi, chou, yin, mao, chen, si, wu, wei, shen, you, xu, hai). Each person is assigned one of the 12 animals to correspond with, and represent, the Earthly Branch of the year in which he or she was born. The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac thus are used to number the years, record and measure time, and determine each person's zodiac sign.
An essential and deep-rooted part of China's traditional culture, the shengxiao has had a profound impact on Chinese people. The shengxiao culture permeates every aspect of Chinese social life and is intimately connected with the lives of the Chinese people. The zodiac animals are used to inquire about the age of others, and shengxiao-related folktales, customs and even games can be found throughout China. The Chinese zodiac animals also play a prominent role in fortune-telling, and are beautifully illustrated and depicted in works of art and literature.