2016年CRI A Cultural Journey to the Year of Monkey

 

The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animal signs based on a twelve-year cycle, each year related to an animal sign.

In common with all the twelve animals - namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig - the monkey has its own unique characteristics:

Everyone born in a monkey zodiac year has their own idea of how it affects their personalities² and feelings.

"I think people born in monkey years are witty³, smart, but sometimes a little short-tempered."

"I've experienced 6 monkey years. I have the personal feeling that monkey years are usually more prosperous than other zodiac years."

"People tend to rush to have monkey babies. It means fiercer competition for their generations."

While each may have their own interpretation⁴ of their zodiac year, Zhang Ying, Director of Gaobeidian Chinese Folk Culture Classes in Beijing explains the reason monkeys are endowed with so many good characteristics is because, of all the animals, monkeys are the most similar to human beings:

"Monkeys are close to humans and people tend to favor them. In fact, people endow Monkeys with their own feelings and attitudes towards life. They also pass judgment⁵ on monkeys. Those judgments⁶, whether it's positive or negative, are in fact made towards people themselves."

With so many positive meanings and expectations, the monkey has become a common icon⁷ in China and is represented in many cultural works.

Perhaps the most well-known monkey is Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King in "Journey to the West", one of the Four Great Classical Novels of the Chinese literature.

The novel depicts⁸ a monkey born out of a stone, and who acquires super powers.

The rebellious⁹ monkey made a lot of mischief¹⁰ even in the heavenly palace, but later on has a change of heart, and accompanies the monk¹ Xuanzang on a journey to the west to introduce Buddhist¹¹ sutras to the oriental lands.

Various monkey images are also to be found in other works such as sculptures, paper-cutting and stamps.

For instance, China Post released its first set of Chinese zodiac stamps in 1980, a Year of the Monkey.

The stamps, designed by artist Huang Yongyu, kicked off the tradition of releasing stamps featuring one of the 12 zodiac animals before every Spring Festival.

This January, the postal¹² service released its fourth set of monkey stamps to embrace the Monkey Year.

The designer behind those stamps was once again Huang Yongyu, who is now a venerable 92 years old.

Tang Qian is an avid¹³ enthusiast¹⁴ of the Chinese zodiac.

He says he has both sets of stamps:

"My son was born in 1980, the Year of Monkey. He was the only child in my family due to the family planning policy at the time. I bought the first set of monkey stamps to celebrate his birth. Now, 36 years later, I bought him the fourth set. It's quite meaningful as our country has eased the family planning policy and a couple is allowed to have two kids."

Traditionally, Chinese zodiac has served as one of the basics for the literary training of children because it conveys meanings through a combination of vivid pictures and words.

However, due to the weakening of old traditions, and increasing foreign influences, zodiac culture has lost much of its meaning today.

Director Zhang Ying says he believes this Monkey Year could be a turning point in reviving China's zodiac culture:

"…The zodiac culture is gradually blending with the Spring Festival culture. The celebrations and festivities of the Spring Festival will help to promote zodiac culture. Conversely, the zodiac culture can enrich the Spring Festival culture too."

So, why not try learning more about traditional Chinese Zodiac culture, besides the western horoscope?

For CRI, I'm Wang Mengzhen.

1 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

2 personalities   

n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
• Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。

3 witty   

adj.机智的，风趣的

参考例句：

• Her witty remarks added a little salt to the conversation.她的妙语使谈话增添了一些风趣。
• He scored a bull's-eye in their argument with that witty retort.在他们的辩论中他那一句机智的反驳击中了要害。

4 interpretation   

n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理

参考例句：

• His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
• Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。

5 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

6 judgments   

判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判

参考例句：

• A peculiar austerity marked his judgments of modern life. 他对现代生活的批评带着一种特殊的苛刻。
• He is swift with his judgments. 他判断迅速。

7 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

8 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

9 rebellious   

adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的

参考例句：

• They will be in danger if they are rebellious.如果他们造反，他们就要发生危险。
• Her reply was mild enough,but her thoughts were rebellious.她的回答虽然很温和，但她的心里十分反感。

10 mischief   

n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹

参考例句：

• Nobody took notice of the mischief of the matter. 没有人注意到这件事情所带来的危害。
• He seems to intend mischief.看来他想捣蛋。

11 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

12 postal   

adj.邮政的，邮局的

参考例句：

• A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
• Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。

13 avid   

adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的

参考例句：

• He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
• She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。

14 enthusiast   

n.热心人，热衷者

参考例句：

• He is an enthusiast about politics.他是个热衷于政治的人。
• He was an enthusiast and loved to evoke enthusiasm in others.他是一个激情昂扬的人，也热中于唤起他人心中的激情。