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Jade Monkey Horse
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 China red jade carved*Horse Monkey*amulet pendant 433  US $12.99
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 0176 Excellent Chinese Jade Horse and Monkey US $168.00
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Here are some more information for Jade Monkey Horse:
The Japanese use the Chinese Zodiac for counting years. This is a 12-year cycle, each year represented by an animal. Why the Japanese use it? Well, see back in the day every time the Japanese invaded China (all the time) they stole something or other. Kanji, Buddhism, tea, etc, etc. Along with the zodiac, they also took the Chinese new year, which might tell you why new year is such a big event here. Unfortunately for China, after Japan opened to the West in 1853 they shifted New Years to Jan 1st in an effort to be more like the successful West.
Anyways, so each year is represented by an animal. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. In that order. Last year was the year of the Boar, so this year the cycle started over and it's the year of the Rat. Why these animals and this order? Who knows, but there is a fun little mythological story for the origin of it:
The Jade Emperor (basically the top god in Chinese myth) held a race to decide what animals would report to him. There was a big river, and the rat and the cat were bad swimmers, so they decided to hitch a ride on the back of the powerful ox. Overcome by competitiveness, the rat pushed the cat into the river, which is why the cat today hates water and hates rats even more. So after the ox crossed the river, the rat jumped off and won easily, with the ox a close second. The first and second animals of the zodiac.
The tiger came next, panting, and told how the current was so strong he never would have made it if not for his powerful strength. He was made the 3rd animal of the zodiac.
The rabbit hops up next, and tells how he crossed the river by hopping from stone to stone and using the occasional log. He became the 4th animal of the zodiac.
The dragon came next. "How is it that a powerful creature such as yourself was not first?" asked the Emperor, deeply curious. The dragon replied that he had to stop to make rain to help all the people of earth, and so was delayed. (Note: The Chinese Dragon is considered a good creature as opposed to the somewhat demonic view of European Dragons, also they look more like giant snakes. Think the dragon (Falkor) in "The Neverending Story"... Well actually Falkor was a luckdragon, a dragon with the head of a dog... but, well, you get the idea) Then on his way to the finish, he saw the rabbit struggling to cross the river and so gave a puff of breath to blow the poor creature to shore. The Emperor was deeply pleased by his kindness, and made him the 5th animal of the zodiac.
The horse comes galloping up next, but hidden in the horse's hoof is the snake. The snake's appearance frightens the horse so much he momentarily falls back, letting the snake beat him, giving the snake the 6th spot while the horse took the 7th.
The ram, monkey, and rooster came next. They worked together to spot a raft and use it to get to shore. The rooster is the one who spotted the raft, so I'm not sure why he got the bum deal here, but the ram takes 8th, the monkey 9th, and the rooster 10th.
The dog is next. His excuse for not coming in first despite being the best swimmer of the bunch was that he hadn't taken a bath in a long time and the water of the river just gave him too big of a chance to pass up. He takes 11th.
The pig comes in last, explaining that he got so hungry during the race he decided to have a feast, then promptly fell asleep afterwards. After waking up, he continued on the race. He was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac.
Almost immediately after the pig, the cat comes across, but he was too late, there is no room for 13. He swears vengeance against the rat and all of his children for ever.. or something like that.
So there you have it. The only change the Japanese make here is they change the pig to a wild boar.
It's actually a good deal more complicated than this, involving hours and directions and all that fun feng shui (FUNG-SHWAY) stuff, but these are the only details most people know.
I'm a Horse, by the way. What are you?
To read more about Japan and Japanese culture from the point of view of a stranger in a strange land, come to:
Chinese Astrology Forecast For United States In 2007
In 2007, the United States would encounter a series of major troubles that involve the conflict of interest among different political parties. The U.S. government would be in an inferior position in the beginning.
The Trigram that represents the luck of the U.S. in 2007 is Kun, this time with the third stroke changed from last year. Those familiar with I-Ching, or the Book of Changes, can tell the third stroke of a trigram represents danger. It implies internal struggle and conflicts which would surely happen to the U.S. On top of that, its trigram also shows the least compatible / desirable combination: a Kun trigram with hidden Shi and Bo trigrams. Shi represents warfare and confrontations. Bo means an erosion of territory or authority, leaving only the bare essentials.
As a democratic nation with an extensive territory, there are demonstrations in the various scales in the U.S. every day. It is a sign of human rights. Yet, a trigram representing its luck of the year seldom refers to things that happen habitually. In other words, the 'internal conflicts' as foretold by the trigram refers to something more substantial that civilized demonstration.
Here are the two key trends in the U.S. in 2007: 1. The conflicts between different groups of its people and the uneven distribution of resources have accumulated grievances.
Those problems finally escalate to the point where its people have to take a more violent approach.
2. The hidden enemies of the U.S. would turn the country upside down with shady manipulations.
Yet, no matter what happens, the Americans would live on as usual.
What is Chinese astrology?
Chinese Astrology is one of the most ancient philosophies still in existence today. The Chinese Astrology uses the Chinese calendar, which was invented in the 27-22 century B.C. by Emperor Yellow or known as Yellow Lord (Huangdi).
In ancient China and up till today, Astrology has been used to predict what happens to countries, the outcome of wars; weather of the year; economic trends, fortune of people and much more.
One complete cycle of the zodiac takes 60 years, which composes the arrangement of a heavenly stem and an earthly branch. The year 2000 marks the 17th year in the 78th cycle.
The animals signs are commonly known because of the legend of the Jade emperor summon the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig ) for a race. However, the configurations of the heavenly stems and earthly branches are much more important for astrology.
About the Author
Credit to Elaine Feng,
Chinese astrology, horoscopes
&
I-Ching
specialist.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a New Lucky Charm
Start the New Year with a dose of extra luck with a new charm that celebrates an ancient Chinese folk custom beginning Lunar New Year's Eve, Feb. 2.
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