Enjoy some creative activities with your children and have fun learning about Chinese traditions and culture with Kung Fu Schools Hastings!
Year of the ox!
The Ox is the second animal of the traditional Chinese Zodiac. According to Chinese myth, the order of the animals was decided upon by the Jade Emperor who invited them to his palace for a party. As they all made their way to the palace the cunning Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride on his back. But as they drew closer to the entrance, the Rat jumped off the Ox’s back and entered the palace first and in so doing the Ox became the second animal.
Oxen are honest hard workers in the background, they are intelligent, trustworthy and persistent.
In Chinese culture the Ox is a valued animal because of its duties in agriculture and for its hard working characteristics . They never look for praise and their talents are often overlooked because of this trait, however their talents do come to light eventually due to their hard work. They rarely lose their temper and are logical thinkers, that’s why people born in the Year of the Ox make great leaders.
Boys born in the Year of the Ox are steadfast, honest and trustworthy. Girls born in the Year of the Ox are calm and gentle.
Chinese astrology predicts that people born in the Year of the Ox will begin 2021 on a low note. However this should not prevent you from adapting to situations of difficulty as they arise. Persistence, determination and hard work will pay off as this is the inherent characteristic of the Ox so when challenges arise, stay calm and be patient because fortune will come to you soon enough.
Luck may come to the Ox through numbers 1 and 4, in the colours Blue, Yellow or Green or with flowers, Lily of the Valley or Lucky Bamboo.
More Chinese traditions that happen during this festive period are:
- On the days leading up to the New Year, Chinese families tend to thoroughly clean their homes as it is believed the cleaning sweeps away any bad luck from the preceding year, so making space for good luck to flow in! These brooms and dustpans are firmly put away however on the first day of the new year, then this good luck can’t be swept away! (As well as believing you shouldn’t shower on this day.. to again ensure the good luck isn’t washed away!)
- Firecrackers are lit on New Year’s Eve to ward off evil spirits.
- Parades, floats, acrobat performances, lion and dragon dances all usually occur also to ward off evil spirits and usher in good luck and blessings for the community.
- The colour red, which is considered to be auspicious to the Ox, yet it is used in nearly all Chinese New Year decorations, is to help protect against and scare away spirits of bad fortune.
- Also if the year is the year of your zodiac animal, it is believed you are prone to attracting the attention of demons… and the way to protect yourself is by wearing red underwear! Every day for the year!
Colouring fun!
Have fun colouring in these Chinese New Year pictures. To print them out just click on the image and select the ‘Print’ icon. If you’d like to email us your artwork please do!
If you have drawn or coloured in your own picture and want to share it with us please do. If you would like to know more about Kung Fu Schools Hastings and our Kung Fu lessons please contact us.
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