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Celebrating the ox
January 26 to February 13, 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Ox. The Philatelic Museum, Singapore has put up a lovely exhibition titled “A cow and bull story”, in commemoration of this special year. Old and new stamps on the theme, photos and model displays, games and riddles, all make up this very interesting show. The visuals are combined with several fun facts on the bovine, gathered from a worldwide panorama.
Japanese beef is considered most expensive, worth hundreds of dollars. The cattle is fed on sake and beer, and even given soothing massages!
Over two million water buffaloes exist in Vietnamese villages, carrying humans and goods, a strong symbol of wealth and barter. A constant source of milk and meat, these animals also provide fertilizer by way of dung. They love to wallow in muddy water after a long hot day. The coating of mud helps to repel insects too. The Golden Buffalo was the mascot of the 23rd Asean Games in Hanoi. In the Philippines, the Carabao water buffalo is the national animal. In New Zealand the number of cows are double that of humans! In Indonesia, the Minangkabau homes have curved roofs , as also the women’s headgear — resembling the bull’s curved horns. Cows communicate through bovine expression, smell and mooing. They are known to bear grudges, and can sense the earth’s magnetic field, aligning themselves in a N/S position. Cows and calves have very close bonds, like humans. They are known to yield more milk in response to music, and more to classical, than rock! Cattle in the wild live upto 25 long years.
The Chinese Zodiac is divided into 12 animal symbolised years, governed by the five elements. This Year of the Ox is ruled by Earth. It is to be a time of effort, hard work and new creations. People born in the Ox year are said to be reliable, strong, persistent, stubborn, honest and materialistic. Some famous ox personalities are George Clooney, Wayne Rooney, Aishwarya Rai, Charlie Chaplin, Richard Gere, Van Gogh and Nixon. The display has enticing games and riddles for visting school groups, all on the bovine theme. The sacred Indian Nandi too is part of the display, and a news bit about Indian Cola from cow urine sends the kids giggling!
Symbolic Twelve
Tiger -1998; Hare/Rabbit -1999; Dragon – 2000; Snake – 2001; Horse -2002; Ram/Sheep – 2003; Monkey - January 2004; Rooster -2005; Dog -2006; Boar -2007; Rat – 2008; Ox -2009;
Bovine lines
Strong as an ox Cash cow Until the cows come home Cock and bull story Bull in a china shop, And more…
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This year is the Chinese Year of the Ox. A year ruled by Earth and hence a time of effort, hard work and new creations.
The CHInese Zodiac is divided into 12 symbolised years, governed by the five elements.
On show : The cow and bull story.
