20230630 final exam culture 06

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Wang Jiaqi 王佳绮 the image of cattle in Chinese culture

Abstract

Cattle plays an extremely important role in Chinese culture and have a great influence on both ancient and modern society. This chapter will analyze the reasons why cattle are so important in Chinese culture from a historical perspective, briefly analyze the image of cattle in Chinese culture and its guiding significance to the development of modern China, and briefly compare the cattle culture of other countries. 牛在中国文化中有着极其重要的地位，对古今社会都有极大的影响。本文将从历史角度分析牛在中国文化中如此重要的原因，简要分析牛在中国文化中的形象和对现代中国发展的指导意义，并简单对比其他国家的牛文化。

Key Words

Traditional Chinese Culture, cattle, cattle culture, culture and society 中国传统文化 牛 牛文化 社会文化

Introduction

China has a long history, industrious and intelligent Chinese people have forged a broad and profound Chinese excellent traditional culture, and the culture related to cattle is a significant one. The Chinese people have deep and complex feelings for this kind of animal. We can see the image of cattle no matter in literary works or in political programs. 中国历史悠久，勤劳智慧的中国人民铸就了博大精深的中国优秀传统文化，而与牛有关的文化更是其中浓墨重彩的一笔。中国人民对有着深厚而复杂的情感，无论是在文学作品还是政治纲领中，都能见到这种动物的身影。

===Origin: Totemism in Chinese Farming Society===(起源：中国农耕社会的图腾崇拜) As far back as the period of clan tribes in primitive China, tribes usually chose animals in nature as clan insignias, which also produce the primitive totem worship. The cattle is one of the main objects of totem worship of the ancient Chinese, symbolizing wealth and power. One of the ancestors of the Chinese people, the Emperor Yan, whose tribal totem symbol is the cattle. From Sima Zhen’s completing Shiji, the creator of Chinese agriculture Emperor Yan as a person with a cattle's head. 早在中国原始氏族部落时期，就通常以自然界存在的动物作为氏族徽帜，因此产生了原始的图腾崇拜。牛是古人图腾崇拜的主要对象之一，象征着财富和权力。中华民族祖先之一的炎帝，其部落图腾标志崇拜物就是牛。司马贞《补史记》载中国农业的创造者炎帝为人身牛头。 Cattle are the first livestock to be tamed by human beings, and the Chinese call them "the first of the six domestic animals". According to historical records, cattle were domesticated and used as early as 7000 years ago in the Neolithic Age. And it was discovered that cattle were larger and stronger than other animals, which improved the efficiency of farming and made them more suitable as laborers for ploughing. Chinese civilization is a typical farming civilization, and the development of agriculture is an important manifestation of the progress of Chinese society. Cattle provides a great contribution to it, and the combination of farm cattle and iron farming tools is also a great technological innovation in Chinese society. 牛是人类最早驯服的牲畜，中国人称其为“六畜之首”。根据史料记载，早在 7000 多年前新石器时代人类就把牛驯化进行役用，人们发现牛相比其他动物而言，体型更大，力气更大，提高了耕作的效率，更适合作为拉犁耕地的劳动力。中国是典型的农耕文明国家，农业的发展是中国社会进步的一个重要表现，而牛为农业发展提供了极大的贡献，耕牛与铁器相结合也是中国社会的一次伟大技术变革。 The cattle have played an important role in Chinese culture as they have enabled the Chinese farmers to increase their productivity, to expand their living space, to provide the basis for population reproduction, and to lay the foundation for the development of Chinese civilization. 牛让中国劳动人民的生产效率得到极大的提高，生存空间得以扩展，为人口繁衍提供基础，为中国社会文明的发展奠定了基础，因此牛在中国文化中有及其重要的地位。

===Cattle in sacrifices===(祭祀中的牛文化) In ancient China, sacrifices is as important as defending the land. In ancient times, at the end of the year, people hold more solemn sacrifices than ususal to their ancestors and gods. People generally chose cattle as the main sacrifice in major rituals to show the solemn because cattle were domesticated by humans earlier and played an important role in social life. It also symbolizes wealth and high status. Also, in ancient Chinese’s minds, cattle were spiritual animals and could communicate with the gods. 在古代中国，祭祀与保疆卫土同等重要。古人在年终岁尾，都要举行比较隆重的祭祀先祖和神灵的活动，由于牛是较早为人类所驯化的家畜，且在社会生活中具有重要作用，象征着财富和地位，而且牛在古代中国人的心目中是具有灵性的动物，可以通神，所以重大的祭祀仪式上，人们一般都要选用牛作为主要的祭品，以示祭祀活动的庄重肃穆。

===The Image of Cattle in Traditional Chines Culture===(传统文化中牛的形象) According to the traditional Chinese sexagenary cycle, the “Ten Heavenly Stems and the Twelve Earthly Branches”, the cattle is used instead of the 2nd of the twelve Earthly Branches. In the Chinese classic "Yijing", the cattle is the symbol of the hexagram Kun. The cattle symbolizes the Earth and the Mother. It represents the suppleness and gentleness, the ability to contain and store everything like a gentle and kind mother. 在中国传统纪年法“天干地支”中，以牛代丑。中国古代的《易经》中，则以牛为坤卦的象征。牛象征地，象征母。表示柔顺和温和，能包藏储存万物，像温顺慈祥的母亲。 The cattle represents farming. Agricultural activities can only be carried out normally in times of peace. So cattle are also messengers of peace, reflecting Chinese people's aversion to war. Also, because of their influence on farming culture, cattle often represents great strength. The words "old ox" and "old yellow ox" refer to an old cattle, but they are also a metaphor for those who serve the people in a down-to-earth manner and with dedication. The image of the cattle is also often found in traditional Chinese artworks, usually representing the noble qualities of selflessness, hard-working and being enterprising. The Chinese people also have a fine tradition of praising the qualities of kindness, simplicity, hard-work and bravery. Chinese people have always been known for their stout attitude, straightforwardness, righteousness and loyalty, so the image of the cattle has been given special attention. 牛代表农事，在和平年代农业活动才得以正常进行，因此牛也是和平的使者，体现着中国人民对战争的厌恶。同时因为牛对农耕文化的影响很大，牛也常代表极大的力量。“老牛”、“老黄牛”虽指年老的牛，但同时亦比喻那些踏踏实实、任劳任怨地为人民服务的人。牛的形象也经常出现在中国传统艺术作品中，通常代表着无私风险、勤劳进取的高尚品质，中国人民也有赞扬善良朴实、勤劳勇敢品质的优良传统，一直以姿态敦厚、质直好义和忠厚淳朴的性格而著称，因此牛的形象受到了格外的重视。 The cattle also has a negative connotation. The cattle is a representative of being industrious and simplicity, but also a typical example of stupidity and stubbornness. The cattle is also used as a metaphor for living in poverty or heavy burdens since the ancient Chinese people are mainly agriculturalists and need to work very hard to survive. 牛也有负面的含义。牛是勤劳憨厚的代表，同时也是愚笨、倔强的典型。由于中国古代人民以农业为主，为生存需要极大的劳动付出，因此牛也用于比喻生活贫苦或负担沉重。

===The Three Ox Spirit in Modern Chinese Dream===(现代中国梦中的三牛精神) China's reform and opening-up has allowed the country to develop sharply. Today China's economy is growing continuously, steadily and rapidly, and the people's living and cultural level has been improved as never before. At the CPPCC 2021 New Year's Tea Party, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to carry forward the spirit of the "three ox spirit", and move forward on the new journey of building a modern socialist country in a comprehensive manner, as follows. In the face of the growing needs of the people for a better life, strive to be "serving-the-people ox" and be selfless. In the face of new challenges and new tasks in the new development stage, strive to the "pioneering ox" and to seek innovation and development and overcome difficulties. In the face of the great dream of national rejuvenation, strive to be the “persisting ox” and be hard-working. (Baidu baike three ox spirit) 改革开放让中国飞速发展，如今中国经济得到了持续、稳定、快速的发展，人民生活文化水平得到了前所未有的提高。在全国政协2021新年茶话会上，习近平总书记强调要发扬“三牛精神”，在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上奋勇前进，具体内容为： 面对人民群众日益增长的美好生活需要，争当为民服务、无私奉献的“孺子牛”；面对新发展阶段的新挑战新任务，争当创新发展、攻坚克难的“拓荒牛”；面对民族复兴伟大梦想，争当艰苦奋斗、吃苦耐劳的“老黄牛”。 The spirit of the ox demands that every Chinese sons and daughters should carry forward the "three ox spirit", work hard and perseveringly, be practical to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 牛精神要求每一个中华儿女都应弘扬“牛精神”，艰苦奋斗，脚踏实地，实现中华民族的伟大复兴。

===The Image of Cattle in British, Japan and India===(英国、日本和印度的牛文化) In British history, cattle were used to help farming at first, but gradually horse farming took the place of cattle farming. So in Britain, a country dominated by animal husbandry, cattle were only used to provide meat and dairy products. In 1986, the first case of mad cow disease was discovered in England, and the damage of mad cow disease was almost fatal to the cattle storage industry in England, which also hit the British economy hard. In British culture, cattle mostly represent savagery, violence, ferocity, recklessness, stupidity, cowardice, incompetence and so on. In their eyes, cattle, especially bulls, are often associated with intimidation, rudeness and other obnoxious things. 英国历史中，一开始也选用牛帮助耕作，但逐渐马耕代替牛耕，于是在英国这样一个以畜牧业为主的国家，牛只是用来提供肉类和乳制品的动物。1986年在英国第一次发现了疯牛病病例，疯牛病对英国的牛蓄产业的伤害几乎是致命的，这也沉重打击了英国的经济。在英国文化中，牛大都代表着野蛮、暴力、凶猛、鲁莽、愚蠢、懦弱、无能等。在西方人眼中，牛尤其是公牛往往与恐吓、粗暴等令人讨厌的事物相关。 Japan is an island country with the culture of fishing people. The culture of farming people was introduced to Japan in the middle of Jomon Period, and it was mainly in the inland areas, while the coastal areas were still mainly fishing. So farming culture does not have an important position in Japan, and the relationship between cattle and Japanese people is not so vital like in China. The Japanese word for cattle is mostly derogatory, referring to stupidity and inferiority, but also to "many," "great," and “to a great extent”. Japanese culture does not give cattle human nature or divinity as Chinese culture does. 日本是一个岛国，固有的是渔民文化，绳文中期耕民文化才传入日本，而且主要是在内陆地区，沿海则主要还是捕鱼，所以农耕文化在日本并不占有重要地位，牛与日本人民的关系并不像在中国是关乎生计。日语中关于牛的词汇多为贬义，比喻愚笨、卑贱，也表示“多”“大”、程度之甚。日本文化中也不会像中国文化一样，赋予牛人性或神性。(Li Fei 23) In India, the cow is considered sacred and inviolable. The sanctity of the cow derives from its economic value and ritual function, as well as being a product of religious struggle. According to ancient Indian mythology, Brahma gave life to priests as well as to cows. Cows were also used as ritual sacrifices and beef was served as a dish for distinguished guests, and the concept of not killing cows was gradually made sacrosanct. From an environmental and sustainability perspective, the ban on cow slaughter, though a religious mandate, has helped the entire Indian agricultural system to recover from frequent drought seasons, and the ban on beef has served as an insurance policy against natural disasters. 在印度，母牛被认为是神圣不可侵犯的。母牛的神圣性源自其经济价值和仪式功能，也是宗教斗争的产物。根据印度古神话，梵天在赋予祭司生命同时也赋予母牛生命；母牛也曾是仪式性祭品，牛肉也曾是招待贵宾的菜品，不杀生观念逐渐使母牛被尊为神圣不可侵犯。在环保和可持续发展角度来看，禁止宰牛虽是宗教律令，却有助于印度整个农业体系在频繁遭遇旱灾的季节里恢复生产，禁食牛肉相当于抗御自然灾害的一道保险。

===Conclusion===总结 China's long history and rich cultural heritage are the prerequisites for the richness of the Chinese cattle culture. Modern China has also taken the best out of traditional culture according to its development needs and innovated the "three ox spirit" to further guide China's development. 中国悠久的历史和丰厚的文化底蕴，中国牛文化如此丰富多彩的前提条件，同时现代中国也根据发展需要，对传统文化去其糟粕取其精华，创新提出了“三牛精神”，进一步指导中国发展。

Reference

[1]张美美,李彦芳. 中国牛文化[C]//中国畜牧业协会.第十二届中国牛业发展大会论文集.[出版者不详],2017:363-365.DOI:10.26914/c.cnkihy.2017.011487. [2]陈萍.“牛”的文化解析[J].重庆三峡学院学报,2005(06):57-59. [3]Baidu baike the three ox spirit 百度百科 三牛精神“三牛”精神_百度百科 (baidu.com) [4]邹幸居“. 牛”、“马”中西文化内涵差异的认知探讨[J].暨南大学华文学院学报,2006(03)：74-79. [5]牛玉琳.文化相对论视域下的中英牛文化差异[J].文学教育(下),2021(11):13-15.DOI:10.16692/j.cnki.wxjyx.2021.11.004. [6]王晴锋.印度圣牛观解析——基于宗教、历史、理性选择与文化唯物主义[J].北方民族大学学报(哲学社会科学版),2017,No.134(02):63-67.

Terms and Expressions

Farming society农耕社会 Totemism图腾崇拜 Clan tribes 氏族部落 Clan insignias 氏族徽帜 Totem worship 图腾崇拜 Emperor Yan 炎帝 Six domestic animals 六畜 Neolithic Age 新石器时期 Ten Heavenly Stems and the Twelve Earthly Branches 天干地支 The 2nd of the twelve Earthly Branches 十二地支中的丑 The hexagram Kun 坤卦 Serving-the-people ox 孺子牛 Pioneering ox 拓荒牛 Persisting ox 老黄牛 Mad cow disease 疯牛病 Jomon Period 绳文时期 Brahma 梵天

Questions

1.Whose tribal totem symbol is the cattle in ancient China? 2.Which kind of animal do people generally chose cattle as the main sacrifice in major rituals? 3.Is the image of the cattle all positive in Chinese culture? 4.The three ox spirit includes three aspects. What are they?

Answers

1.Emperor Yan. 2.The cattle. 3.No. The cattle is a typical example of stupidity and stubbornness, and it is also used as a metaphor for living in poverty or heavy burdens. 4.Serving-the-people ox, Pioneering ox and Persisting ox.