金蛇显舞
This golden snake is this year mascot for Chinese New Year, in the year of snake. Snake represent or symbol death, but why did the Chinese uses the snake as part of the 12 animals in the Lunar Chinese Zodiacs? The short story will tell you why snake is part of the 12 Zodiacs of the Lunar Chinese.
十二生肖的含义
有一次，我有機會和歐洲貴族聚餐。
可能酒喝多了，一位德國貴族站了起來，
諷刺說 ：" 你們中國人都是屬什麼豬啊！狗啊！
老鼠啊！不像我們，都是金牛座、獅子座、仙女座 ......
真不知道你們祖先怎麼想的？"
當時這些貴族聽完哈哈大笑，還互相碰杯，先前的優雅完全不見了。
按理說，人家在罵你祖宗了，你即使沒有話說，起碼可以掀桌子啊！
但所有人都坐著不吭聲，也可能是還沒反應過來，
我當時只好平和地告訴在場所有外賓："中國人的祖先是很實在的，
我們十二生肖 兩兩 相對，六道輪迴，
體現了我們祖先對中國人全部的期望跟要求" 。
這時 ，現場氣氛雖然從嬉鬧轉為安靜，
但是他們臉上還是一副不屑的樣子。
我說 ："第一組是老鼠和牛。老鼠代表智慧，
牛代表勤奮。智慧和勤奮一定要緊緊結合在一起。
如果光有智慧不勤奮，那就變成小聰明；
而光是勤奮，不動腦筋，那就變成愚蠢。
所以這兩者一定要結合，
這是我們祖先對中國人的第一組期望和要求，也是最重要的一組。"
"第二組是老虎和兔子。老虎代表勇猛，兔子代表謹慎。
勇猛和謹慎一定要緊緊結合在一起，才能做到所謂的膽大心細。
如果勇猛離開了謹慎，就變成了魯莽，而你沒有勇猛，
一味的謹慎，謹慎就變成膽怯。這一組也非常重要，所以放在第二。"
我看著這些貴族，補上一句："所以當我們表現出謹慎的時候，
千萬不要以為我們中國人沒有勇猛的一面。
" " 實際上，我們祖先追求的是一種和諧的智慧和圓融，
從來不會單獨給一個要求和任務。"
看著大家陷入沉思，我繼續往下說。
"第三組是龍和蛇。龍代表剛猛，蛇代表柔韌。
所謂剛者易折，太剛了容易折斷，但是如果只有柔的一面，
就易失去主見，所以剛柔並濟是我們歷代的祖訓。"
接下來是馬和羊。馬代表勇往直前，直奔目標，羊代表和順。
如果一個人只顧自己直奔目標，不顧周圍，
必然會和周圍不斷磕碰，最後不見得能達到目標。
但是一個人如果光顧著和周圍和順，之後他連方向都沒有了，目標也失去了。
所以一往無前的秉性一定要與和順緊緊結合在
一起是我們祖先對中國人的第四組期望。
" 再接下來是猴子和雞。猴子代表靈活，至於雞呢，
以前的年代沒有鐘，都是聽雞鳴聲決定一天的開始，
所以雞定時打鳴，代表穩定。靈活和穩定一定要緊緊結合起來。
如果你光靈活，沒有穩定，再好的政策最後也得不到收穫。
但如果說你光是穩定，一潭死水、一塊鐵板，那就不會有我們今天的改革開放了。
只有它們之間非常圓融的結合，一方面具有穩定性，保持整體的和諧和秩序，
另一方面又能不斷變通地前進，這才是最根本的要旨。
" 最後是狗和豬。
狗是代表忠誠，豬是代表隨和。一個人如果太忠誠，
不懂得隨和，就會排斥他人。而反過來，一個人太隨和，
沒有忠誠，這個人就失去原則。
所以無論是對一個民族國家的忠誠、對團隊的忠誠，
還是自己理想的忠誠，一定要與隨和緊緊結合在一起，
這樣才容易真正保持內心深處的忠誠。
這就是我們 中國 人一直堅持的外圓內方，君子和而不同。
"中國人每個 人都有屬於自己的生肖，
有的人屬豬，有的人屬狗，這意義何在？
實際上，我們的祖先期望我們要圓融，
不能偏頗，要求我們懂得到對應面切入。
比如屬豬的人能夠在他的隨和本性中，也去追求忠誠；
而屬狗的人則在忠 誠的本性中，去做到隨和。" 解釋完十二生肖，
我說：" 不知道你們那些寶瓶座啊、射手座啊、公羊座啊，
體現了你們祖先哪些期望和要求？也希望不吝賜教。 "
結果呢，這些貴族老爺們很長時間都沒說話，
全場鴉雀無聲，一根針掉在地上都能聽見。
最後貴族們紛紛由衷地表示對中國人和中國人的祖先非常敬佩：
" 沒有想到中國的十二生肖有這麼深刻而實在的意義。"
可能酒喝多了，一位德國貴族站了起來，
諷刺說 ：" 你們中國人都是屬什麼豬啊！狗啊！
老鼠啊！不像我們，都是金牛座、獅子座、仙女座 ......
真不知道你們祖先怎麼想的？"
當時這些貴族聽完哈哈大笑，還互相碰杯，先前的優雅完全不見了。
按理說，人家在罵你祖宗了，你即使沒有話說，起碼可以掀桌子啊！
但所有人都坐著不吭聲，也可能是還沒反應過來，
我當時只好平和地告訴在場所有外賓："中國人的祖先是很實在的，
我們十二生肖 兩兩 相對，六道輪迴，
體現了我們祖先對中國人全部的期望跟要求" 。
這時 ，現場氣氛雖然從嬉鬧轉為安靜，
但是他們臉上還是一副不屑的樣子。
我說 ："第一組是老鼠和牛。老鼠代表智慧，
牛代表勤奮。智慧和勤奮一定要緊緊結合在一起。
如果光有智慧不勤奮，那就變成小聰明；
而光是勤奮，不動腦筋，那就變成愚蠢。
所以這兩者一定要結合，
這是我們祖先對中國人的第一組期望和要求，也是最重要的一組。"
"第二組是老虎和兔子。老虎代表勇猛，兔子代表謹慎。
勇猛和謹慎一定要緊緊結合在一起，才能做到所謂的膽大心細。
如果勇猛離開了謹慎，就變成了魯莽，而你沒有勇猛，
一味的謹慎，謹慎就變成膽怯。這一組也非常重要，所以放在第二。"
我看著這些貴族，補上一句："所以當我們表現出謹慎的時候，
千萬不要以為我們中國人沒有勇猛的一面。
" " 實際上，我們祖先追求的是一種和諧的智慧和圓融，
從來不會單獨給一個要求和任務。"
看著大家陷入沉思，我繼續往下說。
"第三組是龍和蛇。龍代表剛猛，蛇代表柔韌。
所謂剛者易折，太剛了容易折斷，但是如果只有柔的一面，
就易失去主見，所以剛柔並濟是我們歷代的祖訓。"
接下來是馬和羊。馬代表勇往直前，直奔目標，羊代表和順。
如果一個人只顧自己直奔目標，不顧周圍，
必然會和周圍不斷磕碰，最後不見得能達到目標。
但是一個人如果光顧著和周圍和順，之後他連方向都沒有了，目標也失去了。
所以一往無前的秉性一定要與和順緊緊結合在
一起是我們祖先對中國人的第四組期望。
" 再接下來是猴子和雞。猴子代表靈活，至於雞呢，
以前的年代沒有鐘，都是聽雞鳴聲決定一天的開始，
所以雞定時打鳴，代表穩定。靈活和穩定一定要緊緊結合起來。
如果你光靈活，沒有穩定，再好的政策最後也得不到收穫。
但如果說你光是穩定，一潭死水、一塊鐵板，那就不會有我們今天的改革開放了。
只有它們之間非常圓融的結合，一方面具有穩定性，保持整體的和諧和秩序，
另一方面又能不斷變通地前進，這才是最根本的要旨。
" 最後是狗和豬。
狗是代表忠誠，豬是代表隨和。一個人如果太忠誠，
不懂得隨和，就會排斥他人。而反過來，一個人太隨和，
沒有忠誠，這個人就失去原則。
所以無論是對一個民族國家的忠誠、對團隊的忠誠，
還是自己理想的忠誠，一定要與隨和緊緊結合在一起，
這樣才容易真正保持內心深處的忠誠。
這就是我們 中國 人一直堅持的外圓內方，君子和而不同。
"中國人每個 人都有屬於自己的生肖，
有的人屬豬，有的人屬狗，這意義何在？
實際上，我們的祖先期望我們要圓融，
不能偏頗，要求我們懂得到對應面切入。
比如屬豬的人能夠在他的隨和本性中，也去追求忠誠；
而屬狗的人則在忠 誠的本性中，去做到隨和。" 解釋完十二生肖，
我說：" 不知道你們那些寶瓶座啊、射手座啊、公羊座啊，
體現了你們祖先哪些期望和要求？也希望不吝賜教。 "
結果呢，這些貴族老爺們很長時間都沒說話，
全場鴉雀無聲，一根針掉在地上都能聽見。
最後貴族們紛紛由衷地表示對中國人和中國人的祖先非常敬佩：
" 沒有想到中國的十二生肖有這麼深刻而實在的意義。"
The meaning of the Lunar 12 Zodiac
English Version
During an occasion, I had the opportunity to have a dinner with the European aristocracy.Maybe, having to consume too much of wine, a German nobleman stood up.
Ironically said: "Of all the Chinese people created 12 Zodiac just like us, calling Dog, Pig, Mice. Unlike us, are Taurus, Leo, Virgo" Lately continue:
"I really do not know what is your ancestors thinking about?"
Ironically said: "Of all the Chinese people created 12 Zodiac just like us, calling Dog, Pig, Mice. Unlike us, are Taurus, Leo, Virgo" Lately continue:
"I really do not know what is your ancestors thinking about?"
These nobles was listening burst out of laughter.
"There is not a single elegant and completely uncivilized." Continue the German nobleman
"Worst of all, knowing that we are insulting your ancestors, yet everyone just sat there, not making a sound or any reactions."
I had to calmly tell the presence of all foreign guests: "The ancestors of the Chinese people are in fact very smart and realistic."
The 12 Zodiac are in pairs of six reincarnation
Of all our ancestors of the Chinese people, wanted our future generations to be expected with the great knowledge, wisdom and characters.
I had to calmly tell the presence of all foreign guests: "The ancestors of the Chinese people are in fact very smart and realistic."
The 12 Zodiac are in pairs of six reincarnation
Of all our ancestors of the Chinese people, wanted our future generations to be expected with the great knowledge, wisdom and characters.
At this time, the atmosphere took a great turn. The rowdiness and relax environment suddenly took a turn into a deep quiet scenario.
But their faces are equipped with a look of disdain.
I said: The first group are the mice and cattle. Mice represents wisdom and the cattle representing hard-work.
But their faces are equipped with a look of disdain.
I said: The first group are the mice and cattle. Mice represents wisdom and the cattle representing hard-work.
Wisdom and diligence must be tightly bound together.
Wisdom without diligence, it would only become street smart; While being diligence and not using our brains, stupid is the only outcome.
So both of characteristic must be combined.
This is our ancestors first set of expectations and demands towards the Chinese and therefore, it is the most important group.
The second group are the tiger and the rabbit. Tiger represents bravery or courage, the rabbit represents prudence or cautious.
Bravery and caution must be tightly bound together in order to achieve bold yet cautious character
If bravery without prudence, it becomes reckless. If one do not have brave or courage, blindly caution, caution will cause one to become timid.
This group is also very important, so it's in the second.
Looking at these nobles, adding: "Although, we Chinese appeared cautious but please do not think we Chinese people are not brave."
"In fact, our ancestors' way to pursuit of harmonious, wisdom and harmony."
Never separate individual requirements with tasks.
Looked deep in thought, and I went on.
Looking at these nobles, adding: "Although, we Chinese appeared cautious but please do not think we Chinese people are not brave."
"In fact, our ancestors' way to pursuit of harmonious, wisdom and harmony."
Never separate individual requirements with tasks.
Looked deep in thought, and I went on.
The third group is the dragon and snake dragon is a symbol Tough or firmness symbol one with ability to exercise decision making and which opportunities cost to sacrifice, flexible to change and adapt to circumstances is what the snake represents.
The idea of 刚(Gang, Firmness) without flexibility, is unable to change and adapt to circumstances. If only the flexibility, one can adapt and change to circumstances but loses the abilities to perform decision making.
Firmness and flexibility are group together. Those are our ancient teachings of our forefathers.
Next horses and sheep. The horse represents momentum, went straight to the goal while sheep represent amiable.
The idea of 刚(Gang, Firmness) without flexibility, is unable to change and adapt to circumstances. If only the flexibility, one can adapt and change to circumstances but loses the abilities to perform decision making.
Firmness and flexibility are group together. Those are our ancient teachings of our forefathers.
Next horses and sheep. The horse represents momentum, went straight to the goal while sheep represent amiable.
If one who only went straight for the goal regardless of one's surrounding,will inevitably bump around constantly, and one will not able to achieve it's target.
However, if a person is patronizing to look for consensus, one without directions will eventually loses it's goal.
So momentum and amiable must be tightly bound together, our ancestors expected Chinese people to aware of our surrounding and never to lose our direction of goals.
The next group are the monkeys and chickens. Monkeys are nimble or agility and as for chicken,
In the past, there is no such things as alarm clock. Our ancestors uses crowing of the chickens decide the start the day.
So the distinctive and continuous timing of crowing of chicken represents stability, consistent. Nimble and agile and stability must be closely combined.
If you are nimble and agile but one with inconsistent, even with the nimble and agile capabilities to adapt and change, without stability one could not be able to achieve any result.
If one is as stable as a stable pool of stagnant water, a piece of iron, there would be not changes in society and ideas. One will only maintain with only what they have and refuse to achieve a better result and quality of life.
Only between them, perfect blending of stability, one can maintain the overall harmony and order.
On the other hand, we can continue to work to move forward, this is the most fundamental gist.
The last dog and pig.
The dog represents loyalty, the pig represents affability. If a person is too loyal.
Do not know how easy-going, will be condemned by the others. Conversely, a person is too easy-going, there is no loyalty, one without principles.
So regardless of loyalty to a nation-state, team loyalty, or their own ideals of loyalty, one must be firm with principle and loyalty and easygoing.
This is why Chinese people has always insisted on the cylindrical side of one's character."Chinese people everyone has their own zodiac"
People with different Zodiac, one may have the zodiac of pig, other may have the zodiac of dragon. What meaning does our ancestors wanted to pass down?
In fact, our ancestors expect us to live in harmony, one cannot be biased, one must know how to deal with circumstances.
However, if a person is patronizing to look for consensus, one without directions will eventually loses it's goal.
So momentum and amiable must be tightly bound together, our ancestors expected Chinese people to aware of our surrounding and never to lose our direction of goals.
The next group are the monkeys and chickens. Monkeys are nimble or agility and as for chicken,
In the past, there is no such things as alarm clock. Our ancestors uses crowing of the chickens decide the start the day.
So the distinctive and continuous timing of crowing of chicken represents stability, consistent. Nimble and agile and stability must be closely combined.
If you are nimble and agile but one with inconsistent, even with the nimble and agile capabilities to adapt and change, without stability one could not be able to achieve any result.
If one is as stable as a stable pool of stagnant water, a piece of iron, there would be not changes in society and ideas. One will only maintain with only what they have and refuse to achieve a better result and quality of life.
Only between them, perfect blending of stability, one can maintain the overall harmony and order.
On the other hand, we can continue to work to move forward, this is the most fundamental gist.
The last dog and pig.
The dog represents loyalty, the pig represents affability. If a person is too loyal.
Do not know how easy-going, will be condemned by the others. Conversely, a person is too easy-going, there is no loyalty, one without principles.
So regardless of loyalty to a nation-state, team loyalty, or their own ideals of loyalty, one must be firm with principle and loyalty and easygoing.
This is why Chinese people has always insisted on the cylindrical side of one's character."Chinese people everyone has their own zodiac"
People with different Zodiac, one may have the zodiac of pig, other may have the zodiac of dragon. What meaning does our ancestors wanted to pass down?
In fact, our ancestors expect us to live in harmony, one cannot be biased, one must know how to deal with circumstances.
Like a zodiac of a pig with his affability nature, but also to pursue loyalty;
While the zodiac of the dog are nature of loyalty, are to achieve affability characteristic.
After explaining the Zodiac,
I said: " I do not know those zodiacs "Aquarius", "Sagittarius", "Aries" embodies what kinds of expectations and requirements by your ancestors? Can anybody explain the meaning behind those zodiac to me"
I said: " I do not know those zodiacs "Aquarius", "Sagittarius", "Aries" embodies what kinds of expectations and requirements by your ancestors? Can anybody explain the meaning behind those zodiac to me"
After a period of time, none of those noble lords speak,
Even a hairpin that drop could be heard from the silence of the hall.
At last, the nobles have sincerely expressed great admiration for the Chinese people and the Chinese people's ancestors:
Even a hairpin that drop could be heard from the silence of the hall.
At last, the nobles have sincerely expressed great admiration for the Chinese people and the Chinese people's ancestors:
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