介绍:
Lincoln: We’re talking about the Year of the Monkey now. We know that the Western zodiac is more tied up with constellations.
WY: There are 12 animals in total. This year is the Year of the Monkey, and next year is the Year of the Rooster. People who were born under each zodiac sign were believed to have different personalities. Suppose this year is the Year of the Monkey, and people who were born in this year will have all those kinds of special personalities, such as [being] creative and energetic.
Lincoln: And this Zodiac has got to do with a story: the monkey ran into the goat, and then the goat fell over, and then there was a horse. It’s got more of a narrative to it; I’m being very ignorant there, of course, but it’s got a lot more narrative to it than you would imagine otherwise.
WY: There has been a long story about that, but quickly, that was a race for 12 or more animals. [Once] they have run to the final ending point, the rat goes first, and then the ox, and people are always wondering why there isn’t a cat in this kind of zodiac. The rat actually tricked the cat
Lincoln: Oh, OK. So this is a really big story.
WY: Yes, and then the cat didn’t make it to the final point, and then the cat was so angry, and remembered this kind of cheating from the rat, and that is why they [became] enemies, so they were born to be enemies.
Lincoln: So, there’s all these different… we don’t have a lot of time for it, necessarily, but I would definitely urge everyone to have a look at this fable, who cheated on whom and who did what. It’s very, very interesting – the rat and the cat. I would definitely recommend everyone have a look at it.
WY: And also, you know, here in China, there has been a special thing when people talk about zodiac, because people who were born [under] different zodiac [signs] were believed to have different personalities and when, sometimes, people also consult with their zodiac signs for compatibility before getting married.
Lincoln: So in that sense, it’s much like the western zodiac calendar. (WY: Astrology) Astrology, there’s personality attributes ascribed to your specific sign or your specific animal. (WY: They’re similar) What exactly, for the Year of the Monkey, what are the attributes, for a person, that you would attribute to them if they were born in the Year of the Monkey?
WY: So, for the monkey, they are quick-witted, they are charming, they are lucky, they are bright, and because monkeys move a lot, they are energetic, and very creative.
Lincoln: That’s quite interesting. In African folklore, the monkey’s always seen as the trickster animal. The monkey and the rabbit are the ones who have that kind of connotation there. I’m a horse – let’s see what horses do. Horses are adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious. Very strong, as well. (WY: Intelligent) Intelligent, yeah. That’s interesting. So we’re going forward into the new year. You mentioned the Monkey King. What exactly is that?
WY: Some of the films, they are based on simply the great Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and people always imitate the special Monkey King, and especially in the Spring Festival Gala.
Michael: So, the Spring Festival Gala that you were talking about, that’s a huge deal in China, isn’t it?
WY: It is a huge deal.
Michael: From what I gather, it’s something of a family tradition that everybody gets together and watches the Spring Festival Gala on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
WY: Yes, it is.
Lincoln: I would highly recommend you have a look at it. I remember watching it, not last year but the year before, and even if you don’t understand what’s going on, it’s just a fantastic production. It’s huge, and such a huge variety of acts. There’s magicians and acrobatics and all sorts of things going on, so I thoroughly enjoyed it when I did watch it. Yeah, I’ll definitely be watching this year, and hopefully it’ll be as big and as entertaining as it always is.
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