The Miao minority group, in the southwestern China, like and worship oxen. They think oxen are lucky animals and can bring them good fortune. In their handcrafted embroidery and silver jewels, you always can find the various images of oxen. The year of ox is thought to be the brightest year in the 12-year animal cycles.
However in many other parts of China, a tiger year is considered a hopeful year. Why do the Miao prefer oxen? Here is a story:
It's said that a long time ago an ox and a tiger were neighbors. They both were strong and had great strength. But who was the strongest? So one day they decided to have a fight. Before the competition, they prepared for 7 days when the tiger used canes to wrap his body layer upon layer, and the oxen bathed in the river with mud all over his body and then bask to have the mud getting dry.
7 days later, they wore their special armor to start a battle. The tiger pounced on the ox, trying to bite it, but only gnawed off a little dust from the dried mud covering the ox's body. The ox then used his sharp horns to easily break the canes on the body of the tiger, and almost broke the tiger's belly. The tiger got so scared that he had to cry craven.
Since then, oxen was regarded as an hero in Miao culture. People think oxen can protect them, and give them peaceful life. They adorn their gates with a piece of horn-shaped wood, which can ward off evil spirits.
Various images of oxen are reflected in the art of batik, embroidery, and silver jewels. Some Miao women wear a huge, heaven, and glistening silver headdress in the shape of an ox horn, which is considered as the symbol of beauty and wealth; others adorn their hair with a big ox horn shaped wooden comb.
The Miao even apply the image of oxen to their music. In a famous bullfight dance, the dancers hold a bamboo ox head in their hands, and imitate the movements in bullfight.
The Miao even have a special holiday for oxen. On that day, oxen are fed with refined food, and bathed with clean water.
Dragon is also a lucky animal respected by the Miao. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people adorn their dragon boats with a pair of ox horn, as they think dragon together with oxen will bring more luck to their life.
When you visit a Miao village, the local people will wear their handmade ethnic costumes and silver jewels, and welcome you at the gate of their village with wine contained in a horn-shaped cup. The wine is made with glutinous rice. It is delicious, but quite strong. Don't hold the cup by yourself, otherwise you will have to finish the whole cup of wine.
However in many other parts of China, a tiger year is considered a hopeful year. Why do the Miao prefer oxen? Here is a story:
It's said that a long time ago an ox and a tiger were neighbors. They both were strong and had great strength. But who was the strongest? So one day they decided to have a fight. Before the competition, they prepared for 7 days when the tiger used canes to wrap his body layer upon layer, and the oxen bathed in the river with mud all over his body and then bask to have the mud getting dry.
7 days later, they wore their special armor to start a battle. The tiger pounced on the ox, trying to bite it, but only gnawed off a little dust from the dried mud covering the ox's body. The ox then used his sharp horns to easily break the canes on the body of the tiger, and almost broke the tiger's belly. The tiger got so scared that he had to cry craven.
Since then, oxen was regarded as an hero in Miao culture. People think oxen can protect them, and give them peaceful life. They adorn their gates with a piece of horn-shaped wood, which can ward off evil spirits.
Various images of oxen are reflected in the art of batik, embroidery, and silver jewels. Some Miao women wear a huge, heaven, and glistening silver headdress in the shape of an ox horn, which is considered as the symbol of beauty and wealth; others adorn their hair with a big ox horn shaped wooden comb.
The Miao even apply the image of oxen to their music. In a famous bullfight dance, the dancers hold a bamboo ox head in their hands, and imitate the movements in bullfight.
The Miao even have a special holiday for oxen. On that day, oxen are fed with refined food, and bathed with clean water.
Dragon is also a lucky animal respected by the Miao. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people adorn their dragon boats with a pair of ox horn, as they think dragon together with oxen will bring more luck to their life.
When you visit a Miao village, the local people will wear their handmade ethnic costumes and silver jewels, and welcome you at the gate of their village with wine contained in a horn-shaped cup. The wine is made with glutinous rice. It is delicious, but quite strong. Don't hold the cup by yourself, otherwise you will have to finish the whole cup of wine.
