May 2002
Mine
is the stabilizing force that perpetuates the cycles of life. I
stand immobile against the Test of adversity. Resolute and unimpeachable,
I seek to serve integrity, to bear the burdens of righteousness.
I abide by the laws of nature, patiently pushing the wheel of Fate.
Thus, I shall weave my destiny. I am the Buffalo.
-
Twilight
Zone's Chinese Horoscope
How
the Buffalo came to Earth (China)
Long
ago in ancient China when the gods just created people, the latter
often did not have enough to eat. The Jade Emperor took pity on
the people below, hence he sent for his deity and instructed him,
"Tell
the mortals that if they work hard, I the Jade Emperor promise them
that they shall have 1 meal every 3 days."
But
the very sotong deity misinterpreted the message. He went down to
earth and foolishly told the mortals,
"The
Jade Emperor decreed that if you mortals work hard enough, you shall
all have 3 meals every day!"
The
deity reported back to the Jade Emperor and the latter was naturally
furious,
"I
specifically instructed you to promise the mortals that if they
work hard, they will have 1 meal every 3 days, not 3 meals every
day you idiot! Look at man, they have only 2 hands and 2 feet each,
how do you expect them to provide themselves with 3 meals a day?
Now that you have promised them this in my name, you shall be responsible
for ensuring that they get their 3 meals every day!"
And
so the Jade Emperor transformed the deity into a water buffalo and
banished him to earth where he had to help mankind plough the fields
to ensure that they could receive what was promised to them......
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Wild
Swamp Buffalo
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Scientific
Name: Bubalus
bubalis
Range:
Formerly occurred in India and Southeast Asia, now more widespread
as a domestic animal.
Habitat:
Swampy plains and densely
vegetated river valleys, forested foothills, any place near
to water.
Diet:
Grass, reeds and sometimes
tree leaves.
Life Span:
About 15 - 20 years.
Social
structure: Lives
in herds. Active mostly by day (feeds in the mornings, wallows
in the afternoon). In hot weather or in places where they
are disturbed by human activities, they graze at night.
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Conservation/status
Truly
wild herds are extremely difficult to find these days. Their
populations have been reduced and fragmented by deforestation
and agricultural activities.
Remarks
Domesticated
for thousands of years, the water buffalo is commonly portrayed
as a hardworking beast of burden toiling in the paddy fields
of Asia. In some parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, domestic
water buffaloes are also featured in traditional bull fights
on festive days.
P.S.
The cattle skull hanging at the Rangers'
Station
came from a water buffalo. You can slide off one of the horns
from the bony core to show guests the bone within the horn
sheath.
Water
Buffaloes in Myth, Culture and Art
The
buffalo played many important roles in Chinese history. It
is featured in paintings where it is often accompanied or
ridden by a young farm boy wearing a straw hat. The buffalo
is also popular with artists and sculptors who love to portray
them seated on top of a heap of coins or surrounded by children.
This is because the Chinese regard the buffalo as a symbol
of wealth and fertility.
Do
you know......what
is an ox?
According
to the Oxford dictionary, an ox is a castrated bull, whereas
oxen is plural for ox. An ox (also called a bullock) is mainly
a beast of burden used in Asia. If you are a guy born in the
year of the ox, insist that you are a bull and not an ox,
unless of course you do not mind, LOL !
Then
what is a steer? How about a heifer?
A
steer is the western term for a castrated bull and it is mainly
raised for beef. A heifer is a cow that has not given birth
before, in other words, a virgin cow !
The
Buffalo and the Chinese Zodiac
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Acknowledgements
/ Bibliography -
Facts and photos from Wildlife Fact File and Night Safari souvenir
book, "The
Asian Animal Zodiac' by
Ruth Q. Sun,
Chinese Horoscope
is linked to the
source website.
