The Chinese calendar is represented by 12 animals. There are six wild or mythical (the Yang element – active or male) and 6 domestic animals (the Yin element – passive female).Each animal rules over a full year.
Legend has it that the animals were selected by the Jade Emperor who conducted a race of all the animals and selected the first dozen in the order in which they finished. During the race across the countryside, the rat hitched a ride on the back of the slow but persistent ox. When the ox was a few feet from the finish line, the rat jumped off and raced ahead to claim the victory and first place in the chronological listing. The rat also fooled the cat into believing that the race was to be held a day later, so the cat missed the race and the chance to rule over a year. For this trickery, the cat still chases the rat.
VOCABULARY
1. lunar (adjective) of or relating to the moon
for example: lunar calendar, lunar surface,
2. mythical (adjective) existing in imagination (not historical)
for example: a mythical animal like the dragon
3.. domestic (adjective) animals that have learned to live in human environments
for example: dogs and cats are domestic animals Can you name others?
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4. passive (adjective) offering no opposition or resistance
for example: Instead of hitting back, she just sat there passively.
5. a legend (noun) An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially
one popularly believed to be historical.
For example: Many Mexicans believe the legend of La Llorona is true.
Many Chinese believe that the legend of the Lady of the Moon
(Chang Er) is true.
6. .a dozen (noun) is a. a carton of eggs b. the number 12 c. a dance
7. hitched a ride (past tense verb) = thumbed a ride. Solicited a free ride, especially by
hitchhiking. For example, I don’t have a car; can I hitch a ride home with you?
8. persistent (adjective) never-ceasing; refusing to give up
9. chronological (adjective) an arrangement of events in time order [chronos = time]
For example: Please arrange the names of your family in chronological order.
My father is the oldest. He’s 62. My mother is next. She’s 60. My brother is
next. He’s 35. My oldest sister is 33. I come next. I’m 30. My younger
brother is 25. He’s last.
10. characteristics (noun) a feature that helps distinguish a person or thing.
For example: What are her most outstanding characteristics? She is generous and
thoughtful. What is his most identifiable characteristic? He’s totally bald.
(as an adjective) He has a characteristic laugh.
To find your animal symbol, check the listing below for the year you were born in, and see if you agree with the description of your characteristics.
HARE (RABBIT) 1915,1927,1939,1951,1963,1975,1987,1999
You are blessed with extraordinary good fortune and this will inevitably provide you with financial success. This luck of yours not only extends to business interests, but also to games of chance.
DRAGON 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Your reputation as a fire-eater is based on your outward show of stubbornness, bluster, and short temper; but underneath, you are really gentle, sensitive, and soft-hearted.
SNAKE 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
You have more than your share of the world‘s gifts, including basic wisdom. You are likely to be good-looking – well-formed men and graceful and beautiful women.
HORSE 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Your cheerful disposition and flattering ways make you a popular favorite. Your great mental agility will keep you in the upper income.
RAM (SHEEP) 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
You are a sensitive and refined aesthetic type with considerable talent in all the arts. Success or failure will depend on whether you can shepherd your ability and energy into a single field.
MONKEY 1908. 1920. 1932. 1944. 1956. 1968. 1980, 1992, 2004
You are a real swinger! In addition, because of your flair for decision-making and a sure-footed feel for finance, you are certain to climb to the top.
ROOSTER (CHICKEN) 1909. 1921. 1933. 1945. 1957. 1969. 1981, 1993. 2005
You either score heavily or lay a large egg. Although outspoken and not shy in groups, you are basically a loner who doesn’t trust most people; however, you are capable of attracting some close and loyal friends.
DOG 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
You are loyal and honest with a deep sense of duty and justice. You can always be trusted to guard the secrets of others.
BOAR (PIG) 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
The quiet inner strength of your character is outwardly reflected by courtesy and breeding, and your driving ambition will lead you to success.
RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
You have been blessed with great personal charm, a taste of the better things in life, and considerable self-control which restrains your quick temper.
OX 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
You have a calm, patient nature, and friends turn to you because you are that rarest of creatures – a good listener. Love bewilders you, so many people wrongly consider you cold.
TIGER 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
You are a person of great extremes – a sympathetic and considerate friend, a powerful and dangerous enemy. In your career, you are both a deep thinker and a careful planner.
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CONVERSATION AND GRAMMAR (Work with a partner.)
1. Please write your birth year and your animal on the lines.
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2. Now, write the characteristics about your animal in the FIRST PERSON.
For example, As a tiger, I . . .
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3. Do you think that these characteristics describe you? If they do, tell me why.
If they don’t describe you, tell me why not.
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