Horizon : Zodiac animals

【明報專訊】Chinese zodiac animals are a set of 12 animals. Each animal represents a year in a twelve-year cycle. They are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Variations of the zodiac animals can be found across Asia.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese zodiac animals are almost the same as the Chinese ones, except that the rabbit is replaced with the cat and the ox is replaced with the buffalo. Despite the fact that the selection of animals is different, the legend about the Jade Emperor(玉皇大帝)naming the years after the animals is the same.

Japan

The Japanese zodiac uses a wild boar instead of a pig. The main reason is that wild boar are symbols of bravery and prosperity in Japan. It is believed that people who are born in the Year of the Boar are courageous and honest. Other than that, the Japanese zodiac is the same as the Chinese version.

Myanmar

In Burmese zodiac, there are only eight animals, namely Garuda(金翅鳥), Tiger, Lion, Elephant with tusks, Elephant without tusks, Rat, Guinea pig and Dragon. A garuda is a mythical bird with human features. The animals represent the days of the week and the eight directions. There are eight animals because there are eight days in a week according to Burmese astrology.

■Gear up

Which of the following is true?

A) Zodiac animals are common around the world.

B) Vietnamese people celebrate the Year of the Ox.

C) There are the fewest zodiac animals in Myanmar.

(Answer on next text)

■Glossary

variation (n) 差異

boar (n) 野豬

tusk (n) 長牙

mythical (adj) 神話中的

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[Smarties' Power English 第365期]