Celebrating the ox
The ox has significance in Chinese culture. The Year of the1is coming. In China, you will find all kinds of ox figures2of gold, wood, plastic, paper, shell and stone on sale in stores and on streets to celebrate the coming.
Centuries ago，most people earned their living3farming. The ox was4to help plow(犁地), cultivate and carry heavy goods.
The ox is considered a5of diligence (勤劳) and earnestness (认真)in Chinese culture. To this day, the phrase "the spirit of ox" still refers to conquering（战胜)6that may present itself as an obstacle(阻碍). The spirit is7praised and many people follow it as their work rules. When someone achieves a great accomplishment through hard work, people often use "niu", meaning "great", to describe him or her.
Oxen seldom bully (欺负) the weak or fear the8. They work hard and face everything bravely. This is reflected in a couplet(对句)from a poem by Lu Xun (1881-1936):"Fierce-browed, I coolly defy a thousand pointing fingers; Head bowed, like a willing ox I serve the children",(“横眉冷对千夫指，俯首甘为孺子牛”) which fully expresses the poet's loyalty (忠诚)to the people.
So naturally, those people9were born in the Year of the Ox are often10to be hardworking, reliable(可靠)and loyal.(忠诚) "They never seek to be the center of attention and do not look for praise, "the website China Highlights noted.
