The Metal Rabbit Forecast 2011 兔年运程

2011 is the year of Xin Mao, which is known as Metal Rabbit year or Golden Rabbit year. The Heavenly Stem which is represented by Metal Xin is sitting on top of Earthly Branches Wood Mao. This terminology of Metal sitting on Wood is similar to 2010 Metal Geng and Wood Yin except that 2011 is Yin Metal and Yin Wood while 2010 is Yang Metal and Yang Wood.

The colours White (for Silver) and Gold represent the Metal Element. Yin Metal is like a small knife which is sharp and swift in strike. Once provoked, it implies potential hidden threats. As such, beware of undercover robberies and petty thieves. Guard your homes with alarm and security. Yin Wood resembles small plants though subtle but flexible. Imagine that during a heavy storm, the tall trees will fall first.

Yin Metal and Yin Wood in conflict implies that disputes may even occur over minor issues. Therefore, be mindful and avoid offending others. Minor errors may lead to serious consequences. Also, do be prepared for new rulings at work or from your superiors. At home, pay more attention to your teenage children. It is a year in which the family will come first.

Having two Yins (Yin metal and Yin wood) could mean polarisation of opinions resulting in conflicting ideologies, arguments and clashes, which may lead to destructive relationship.

Things will move slowly, although they will get done more correctly. People will reveal their bunny-side and will listen to their heart rather than their mind. Discussions and consensus will be catch words of the year. Art, culture and ethnicity will come to the forefront. Leisurely travels and personal growth will be more visible.

Inauspicious industries are: shipping, transportation, energy, gas, timber, travel, pulp and paper, stationery, publishing and media. These industries will face stiff competition and price wars.

Metal industries such as gold, silver, jewellery, automobile and steel related products will be in demand. The property prices will continue to rise in 2011 but at a slower pace compared to 2010. People involved in singing and acting, concerts and road shows, teaching and law professions will be in good demand. There will be still more medical and scientific inventions and highly beneficial innovations in Communications, Internet and IT industries. The IT industry will be launching a bigger range of new communication products.

Click here also to read more on Chinese Zodiacal Years.
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2010年是辛卯年，也是金兔或玉兔年。天干以辛代表金在上，地干以卯代表土在下。这就如2010年的金庚与木寅。可是，2011年是阴金与阴木，而2010年却是阳金与阳木。

白色（或银色）与金代表金元素。阴金就如一把短刀，尖锐而行动迅速。被激怒时，潜在危机更大。所以，要注意内贼与小偷。应以防盗安全系统来保护你的家的安全。阴木犹如小植物，细微而有弹性。想象狂风暴雨时，大树先折倒。

阴金与阴木之间的冲突表明就算小事也可能引起争执。所以，小心并避免得罪别人。同时，对来自工作或上司要执行新条例要有心理准备。在家，要关注少年期的孩子。今年是以家为主的一年。

两阴（阴金与阴木）同时出现可能表示意见分歧，引起理念与争论的抵触，冲突，并导致恶劣关系。

工作可能进行得比较慢，但是会做得好。人们会显露出诙谐的一面，以情感而不是心智来倾听。今年常常会听到的词语应该是：讨论与共识。艺术、文化与民族会站在第一线。休闲旅游与个人成长明显重要。

艰难行业包括：航运、交通、能源、瓦斯、木料、旅游、纸业、文具、印刷业与媒介。这些行业会面对激烈竞争与削价行为。

与金属有关的行业如黄金、银、汽车、钢铁有关的工业则有需求。产业的价格在2011年会继续上扬，但比起2010年缓慢得多。从事有关歌唱、表演、音乐表演、街边秀、教书与法律的人，需求大增。医药与科学发明会增多。交通、互联网与信息工业会有高度实用创新产品。

请点击这里阅读有关华人生肖本命年的详情。

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2011: The Chinese Year of The Rabbit 2011年是兔年

The upcoming Chinese New Year falls on 3 February 2011. According to the Chinese Zodiac, it is the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit share certain characteristics: keen, wise, fragile, tranquil, serene, considerate, fashionable, and kind. Generally, they are quite calm, do not exhibit aggressive behaviour, and will avoid confrontation at all costs. When angry about something, they will approach it calmly and considerately, hardly ever raising their voice. And they are quite keen and pay close attention to the situations developing around them. They are intelligent and quick, and can talk themselves in or out of most situations with no problem.

They are good teachers, counsellors and communicators; they also often make ideal diplomats or politicians. They can also make great painters or musicians due to their sense of beauty and their love of creativity.

Although rabbit people get on well with everyone, at heart they are basically reserved creatures and need their own space, and are only really happy when they are engrossed in some sort of scholarly or intellectual activity.

The average rabbit person emphasizes the importance of small details. They pay attention to everything from colour, design and furniture to food and conversation. And only when they are sure that everything has been arranged as they wished, these people can relax and have fun. Opting for safety over risk they may miss good opportunities.

Calm as they are, it is not easy to provoke rabbit people. They are sentimental and compassionate. Yes, and they cry easily too. They can be moved by personal problems you share with them. Therefore, if you work as a salesman for a living, you will have much better luck with rabbit people - Nine out of ten Rabbit people will definitely buy your products!

They will become depressed and withdrawn if their homes do not consist of beautiful possessions that make them comfortable. Their homes and offices usually are clutter-free. Rabbit people are usually relatively careful when it comes to their finances. They use much of their money for possessions such as their homes, cars or furniture. They love hunting for antiques, arts and crafts and will tend to make sound investments in these types of things.

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今年华人新年是在阳历2月3日。根据华人生肖，今年是兔年。兔子在华人生肖十二个动物之中，排名第四。

根据华人传统，兔子给我们带来松一口气与舒静神经的机会。也是磋商好时机。不要硬来盲闯，那将导致最终的失败。这个时候，应该争取最大利益，关心家庭、家人、安全、交际、你与女性及孩子的关系。立定目标，营造安全平和生活方式，这样你就可以安稳地应对可能出现的问题。

出生于兔年的人有一些共同的特点：热忱、聪明、虚弱、宁静、安详、体贴、时髦与友好。一般上，他们相当平静，不会做出闯劲行为，并不计成本来避免对峙。对一些事感到愤怒，他们会平静、友好以待，很少会提高声调。他们热心与关注身边事务。他们聪明与机灵，善以口舌脱离困境而无事。

他们是好老师、辅导员、交流者；他们也是理想的外交家，或者政治家。他们也会成为伟大的画家或音乐家，鉴于他们对美的特别触觉与对创作的热爱。

虽然生于兔年的人与人相处得很好，可是他们的内心基本上是内向的，需要有个人空间；只有在全神贯注于学识与理智活动时，他们才会得到真正的欢愉。

一般的生于兔年的人，强调细节的重要。他们注重每一细节，从颜色、设计、家具、食物到交谈。只有他们肯定每一细节都按照他们的意思去安排后，他们才会放轻松与玩乐。由于选择安全多过选择机会，他们可能失去好的机会。

他们虽然平静，但是不容易被惹怒。他们感情用事、有怜悯之心。是的，他们容易哭啼。他们容易被你同他们分享的事而感动。所以，如果你以卖物品为生，你能卖给兔年出世的人的机会最多，百分之九十会给你生意。

如果家里没有令他们舒服的东西，他们会变成沮丧、不与人交往。他们的家与办公室一般清洁干净。他们对钱财相对来说很小心。他们把大部分的钱花在家居、汽车与家具之类的产品。他们喜欢古董、手工艺术品，善于投资在这些东西上。 

The Mouse Gets Married 老鼠娶亲

The Rat is actually the first character in the lunar calendar's twelve-year cycle, thanks to his legendary cleverness. Here is a story how mother mouse finally finds the right husband for her lovely daughter. The plot may be dated, but Lady Mouse Got Married is as entertaining a children's fable today as it was thousands of years ago.

As the story goes, Mommy Mouse is looking for the most powerful male to match her beautiful young daughter, Lady Mouse. After spoken to all potential candidates, she finally discovered that the son-in-law she's looking for has been right under her nose all along. So what if it's about arranged marriages and a life spent in fear, the moral lessons of the cute coming-of-age story still ring true.

Once there was a mouse whose daughter had come of age and was ready to get married. When the mother mouse asked her daughter who she would like to marry, she replied, ‘Whoever is most powerful is who I will marry!’

The mother believed the sun to be the most powerful, so she went to the sun and said, ‘Sun, my daughter would like to marry whoever is most powerful. Since I believe that to be you, I’d like you to marry my daughter.’

On hearing this, the sun immediately shook its head and said, ‘I’m not the most powerful. I still fear the cloud. As soon as he shows up, he blocks all my rays. It’s the cloud that’s most powerful. You should go look for him.’

This sounded reasonable to the mother, so she went and found the cloud. To her surprise, however, he also said, ‘I’m definitely not the most powerful. The most powerful is the wind. He can blow me away without leaving a trace. You should have him marry your daughter.’

When the mother met with the wind he said, ‘I’m not the one you’re looking for. The wall is without a doubt more powerful than I. He can stop me in my tracks and hold me back!’

So the mother rushed to find the wall and said, ‘I suggested that my daughter marry the sun who is afraid of the cloud, then the cloud who fears the wind, and later, the wind who is scared of you. Therefore it must you who is most powerful. You should marry my daughter.’

With a smile, the wall said, ‘I’m also afraid of many things. As a matter of fact, what I fear most of all are mice. The holes they burrow can be devastating!’

Running home the mother mouse sighed and said to her daughter, ‘I think you’d better marry a mouse!’
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老鼠是十二生肖之首，据说靠的是它的机智。这里有一个关于鼠妈妈为她那可爱的女儿找适合对象的故事。情节可能是老套了点，可是几千年以来，这个‘老鼠娶亲’的寓言却在一直娱乐着无数的儿童。

故事是这样的，鼠妈妈要找个最有力量的对象来许配给她的女儿。与所有潜在对象交谈之后，她终于发现她所要找的就在她的眼前。所以，盲婚之下，如果一个人终生活在畏惧之中，这个有趣的古老故事还是值得参考的。
从前，老鼠女儿长大了，到了可以婚嫁时候。鼠妈妈问女儿她想嫁个怎样的对象时，女儿说：‘谁最有力量，我就嫁谁。’
鼠妈妈相信太阳最有力量，所以她去找太阳，对他说：‘太阳，我的女儿想嫁个最有力量的。我相信那是你。我希望你娶我的女儿。’
太阳听了之后，立刻摇摇头说：‘我不是最有力量的。我还是很怕云。他一出现就把我的光芒给遮盖了。云最有力量。你应该去找他。’
鼠妈妈听了觉得有理，所以跑去找云。可是，很意外的，云也说：‘我不是你所要找的对象。无疑的，墙壁比我更有力量。他可以阻止我的步伐，把我挡住。’
于是，鼠妈妈赶紧去找墙壁，说：‘我找太阳，要把女儿嫁给他，但他害怕云；而云又怕风。接着风说他怕你。所以你应该是最有力量。你应该娶我的女儿。’
墙壁微笑着说：‘我害怕东西可不少。事实上，我最怕的就是老鼠。你们的穴居对我的杀伤力很大。’
鼠妈妈跑回家，叹了口气，对女儿说：‘我想你还是嫁给我们老鼠吧！’

Tiger Year Predictions 虎年运程

The Year of Tiger began on 14 February 2010. The year of the Tiger is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. Therefore, it will bring far reaching changes for everyone. For this year in particular, it is said to be ‘inauspicious’ because, though many countries are already out of recession however there would still be 4 key issues like : natural disasters, financial difficulties, political changes and environmental matters.

However, there is good news as well. New inventions and incredible technological advances have a good chance of occurring. For all of the Chinese horoscope signs, this year is one to be active - seizing opportunities and making the most of our personal and very individual talents. Everything happens quickly and dramatically in a Tiger year – blink and you could miss an important chance of a lifetime!

There seems to be some agreements among the geomancers that businesses involving fire and mental would do well in 2010.

The properties of fire include warm and gives off heat. Fire industries are those related to electrical products, stock markets, restaurants, lightings shops, fast food chains, bakery shops, accounting firms.

The properties of metal include hard and piercing. Metal Industries are those related to banking, machineries and equipments, law, fortunetelling, gold jewellery, robotics, steel, vehicles.

More countries would experience some economic recovery. The world would seem to be more on an agreeable mood than confrontations. China would lead the world in economic recovery and really move ahead. There would be high officials stepping down in China. Taiwan would intensify its tie with China, laying out solid passage to unification of China. Nevertheless, some natural disasters may still exist.

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虎年开始于阳历二月十四日。传统上，虎年都与大变革及社会动乱有关联。所以，它会为每个人带来深远的改变。特别是今年，一般认为‘不吉利’，因为世界还是面对四大难题：自然灾害、金融危机、政治变革与环境问题。

但是，也有好消息。新的发明与惊人的科技的出现的机会很高。所有的中国的星占都显示今年是活跃的一年，很多人都会抓紧机会，尽量利用个人的才华。在虎年里，每一样事情都发生得很快，一眨眼，又就可能失去一生中最难得的机会。

风水师好像一般都认为在2010年，有关‘火’与‘金’的行业会做得不错。

火的属性是温暖与放热。与火有关的行业包括：电子产品、股市、餐饮业、灯火店、快餐连锁店、面包店、会计楼。

金的属性是硬与锋利。与金有关的行业包括：银行、机械设备、法律、算命、金饰、机器人、金属、汽车。

很多国家会经验的经济复苏。世界各国也较倾向协调而不是对抗。中国会领导世界的经济复苏并实质的向前迈进。在中国会有高官下台。台湾会加强与中国的联系，为迈向统一的中国铺平结实道路。但是，会有一些天灾。

2010: Year of Metal Tiger 庚寅金虎2010年

The Chinese New Year celebration – known also as the Spring Festival – begins this year on February 14 (New Year’s Day) and culminates on February 28 (the 15th day of the first lunar month) with the Lantern Festival. According to Chinese astrology, this year is the year of the Metal Tiger. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and five elements, which means that the last Metal Tiger year was sixty years ago, in 1950.

There are therefore two important concepts associated with the Chinese calendar – the animals in the Chinese zodiac, the metal in the five elements (wuxing).

The Tiger is one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and is feared and revered in equal measure. It features in many Asian cultures as a manifestation of courage, power, passion and royalty. The Tiger is therefore a natural born leader and symbolizes power, passion and daring. Words associated with tiger are, among others, courageous, active, self-assured, optimistic, passionate, independent, rebellious, dynamic, and unpredictable, quick tempered but considerate, affectionate but careless.

Tigers are fond of competitions. They simply cannot pass up a challenge. They may appear cool and are unpredictable, and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions.

The qualities associated with Metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The Metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The Metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the Metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with Metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage.

People who are born in the year of Tiger with the element of Metal are very quiet people. However, their innermost beings are the opposite. This makes them quite complicated but interesting in the meanwhile. Metal Tiger people hates naggers, they like to think things alone and calmly. However they are passionate about life. Metal Tiger people draws clear lines between work and private life. They never "bring works home". They can be very considerate to their partners. A Metal Tiger person enjoys power, but they know they have to work hard for it. Therefore, most of the people born in the Metal Tiger years can be successful in the later years.

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今年华人新年，或称春节，由2月14日（年初一）至庆祝高潮于2月28日（农历一月十五）的灯节。根据华人天文学，今年是金虎年。华人生肖中有十二动物，与五行；就是说，上一次的金虎年是在60年前，也就是1950年。
这里有两个重要的华人日历概念，华人生肖中的动物及五行。
老虎是世界上最美丽的生物，被人畏惧与敬重。在亚洲文化中，被认为是勇气、权力、热情及忠诚的象征。所以老虎是天生的领袖，象征权力、热情与果敢。与老虎相连的字词包括：勇敢、活跃、有把握、乐观、热情、独立、叛逆、活力、不可预测，暴躁而体贴，深情而粗心。
老虎喜爱竞争。他们就是不能放过挑战。它们看起来冷静与不可预测，所以不能低估它们的反应。
金元素的属性是倔强、僵直、坚持、有体力与决心。属金的人犹如金属般坚强，好控制、雄心勃勃与强而有力，同时墨守成规。他们自立，喜欢单独处理事务。但是，属金的人也很享受奢侈与人生中美好的东西。犹如金可传电，属金的人有冲力与感染力，可改变与他们有接触的人。一般相信金统管肺、鼻与皮肤。在精神上，属金的负面是多愁善感，它的正面情绪是有勇气。

出生于金虎年的人城府很深。但是，他们的内心却是相反的。这就令他们显得相当复杂与有趣。属金虎的人讨厌别人喋喋不休，喜欢单独冷静的思考。但是，他们对人生充满热情。他们从不把工作带回家。他们对他们的伙伴相当体贴。属金的人很享受权力，但是他们知道他们要很努力去争取权力。因此，出生于金虎年的人在他们的人生的后期会很成功。

Zodiac Animal: Ox 生肖动物：牛

In Chinese calendar, 2009 is the year of the earth ox. It started on the Chinese New Year, which was on 26 January 2009.

The ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac and signifies time for hard work and smart moves from the honest approach; slow and steady wins the race in the end! Earth favours those who are tied to the land, such as wine and fruit, organic foods, and those who do a lot of routine work, deal with practical matters or perform work of a spiritual nature.

Based on the characteristics of both earth and ox, it could be a very good year for those with careers in services business, construction, engineering, health, academic, planning and great for entrepreneurs with a soulful heart.

Generally speaking, people who are born in the years of ox are supposed to be bright, peace-loving, often easy-going and trusting. But, on the other hand, they can also be stubborn, methodical, and fiercely competitive, with, shudder, fierce tempers to boot.

There is a legend about ox as a river god.

During the Warring States Period (476 – 221 BC), Li Bing, the magistrate of Shu (Sichuan), made history by building Dujiangyan, the irrigation infrastructure which is still in use today. It irrigates over 5,300 square kilometers of land in the region.

According to a wide-spread story about him, there was a river god in the region who insisted on marrying two little girls each year. With the interests of the people at heart, Li Bing decided to marry his own daughter to the river god. On the wedding day, Li Bing went to the temple where the marriage was to take place to scold the river god for its harmful deeds. Then both Li Bing and river god disappeared suddenly. After quite a while, people saw two oxen having a ferocious battle on the river bank. Li Bing returned in the anteroom to tell his subordinates the ox to the south with white colour on its waist was him. The subordinates stabbed the ox to the north to death. That was the river god.

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在农历里，2009年是土牛年。土牛年从农历新年，也就是2009年1月26日开始。

牛排在生肖的第二位。牛年表示是勤劳、伶俐而诚实地处事的时刻到了，最后的胜利属于那些缓慢而稳健的人。五行中的土有利于那些从事同土有关的员工，例如从事有关酒与果实、有机食物行业的人，或那些从事事务性工作、实际问题或心灵性质工作的人们。

以牛与土这两种特性来看，牛年有利于那些从事服务业、建筑、工程、健康、学术、策划的人员，也有利于那些有高尚情操的企业家。

一般来说，那些出生于牛年的人，聪明、爱好和平、随意与值得信任。可是，从另一个角度来看，他们可以十分固执、组织化、竞争性很强，容易显露暴躁的脾气。

这里有一个有关牛作为河神的故事。

战国时代（公元前476 – 221），蜀（今四川）郡守李冰以建造都江堰而闻名于历史。都江堰这个灌溉构造系统至今还在使用中，为周围5，300平方公里的土地灌溉。

根据一个广为流传有关李冰的传说，一个河神规定人们每年要奉献两名少女给它为妻。为了百姓的利益，李冰决定把自己的女儿嫁给河神。婚礼当天，李冰到举行婚礼的庙堂，痛骂河神之伤天害理行为。突然间，李冰与河神一起消失。一会儿后，人们看到两只牛在河岸激烈战斗。李冰回到接待室告诉他的手下在南面有白色腰部的牛是他本人。李冰手下于是尽力把北面的牛刺杀死去。那死去的真正是河神。

Zodiac Animal: Mouse 十二生肖：鼠

In China, people came up with a simple and amusing way to count the years. They use 12 animals, namely rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig, to represent years and make up the Chinese zodiac.

Do you know how they picked those animals? Do you know why the little rat is the first? The following interesting story will answer your questions.

Once upon a time, the cat and the rat were good friends, every day they would play together, everyday they would eat together, and life was very happy. One day, the Lord of Heaven told the God of Earth, "I feel that the way we calculate the years is really uncomfortable, so I think I’ll hold a competition for crossing the river between the animals, the first animals to arrive at the finish line will make up the new 12 calendar-years."

The God of Earth released the news to all the animals on earth. All the animals were happy to hear the news and they all wanted to participate.

As both cat and rate could not swim, on the day of competition, they rode on the ox to cross the river. When the ox arrived half way, the cat pointed at the other side of the river and said, "Look! The other animals still haven’t crossed the river, I’m sure we’ll be the firsts in the competition." The cat didn’t even get to finish his sentence, when the rat walked from behind and pushed him off, and the cat fell into the water. The rat laughed and said, "Oh, so sorry, my brother the cat. You can continue swimming slowly… now I’m definitely the first!"

The ox didn’t pay attention and continued to swim, and arrived at the end point. The little rat jumped of the ox to the shore and ran happily towards the finish line, seeing that the others still aren’t there.

The ox ran and arrived second. Next was the tiger, the little rabbit quickly followed, the dragon came from within the clouds and announced, "I’ve arrived". As the horse arrived at the finish line, a snake suddenly appeared from the grass, making the horse and the sheep jump in horror. The monkey, the chicken, and the dog quickly ran to the finish line. The competition was about to end.

The Lord of Heaven said, "Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken and the dog are the 11, who’s going to be the last one?” At that moment, a very fat pig came running in and announced, "I’m starving!"

The Lord of Heaven was about to announce the 12 winning animals, when the cat arrived, asking, "What number am I?" The Lord of Heaven replied, "I’m sorry, you got here too late, and you can’t be part of the Zodiac". The cat replied angerily, "That’s all the rat’s fault, I will never forgive him."

From that day forward, the cat wants to bite the rat, and so the rat fears the cat. The rat hides from the cat all day, and comes out only in the evening.
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在中国，人们想出一个简单而奇趣的方法来计算年代。他们以十二种动物，鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪，来代表年岁，组成十二生肖。

你知道十二生肖是如何选出来的吗？为什么小老鼠会排在第一呢？以下有趣的传说可以解答你的问题。

从前猫与鼠是好朋友，它们每天一起游玩，一起吃饭，日子过得好开心。一天，玉帝对土地公说：‘我觉得目前计算年岁的方法，很不方便，所以我想举办一次动物过河比赛，最先抵达终点的十二种动物组成十二周年。’

土地公于是把比赛的消息公布给所有地上的动物。动物们都很高兴，他们都想参加比赛。

由于猫与鼠都不会游泳，比赛那天，它们就坐在牛的背上出发。牛游到河中间的时候，猫就指着岸边说，‘你看，它们都还没过河呢。过河比赛我们一定领先。’猫还没说完，鼠却从毛背后用力地推，猫就掉下水了。鼠笑着说：‘对不起，猫大哥，你继续慢慢游吧。现在我肯定第一名了。’

牛根本就没有注意，继续往前游而抵达了终点。鼠从牛背上跳上岸，快乐地奔往终点，还没有动物抵达呢。

牛第二个抵达。下一个是虎，兔紧跟在后头，龙从云里出来，宣告说：‘我到了。’吗快要到终点时，蛇突然从草丛里转出来，把马与羊吓了一跳。猴、鸡与狗也快速跑到终点。比赛就快要结束了。

玉帝说：‘鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗，共十一个，谁会是最后一个呢？’就在这时，一个很肥的猪跑来说，‘饿死我了。’

就在玉帝要宣布十二名优胜的动物时，猫抵达了，它问：‘我得到第几名？’玉帝说：‘很抱歉，你来迟了，不能成为十二生肖。’猫很生气地说；‘都是可恶的老鼠的错，我永远不会原谅它。’

从此以后，猫一见老鼠就像咬，以致老鼠怕猫，白天只好躲在洞里，夜晚才敢出来。

The Chinese Calendar 华人日历

The Chinese calendar follows a 60-year cycle. Within this cycle, there are two separate sub-cycles, which interact with one another. The first sub-cycle comprises of the ten heavenly stems, namely the Five Elements in their Yin and Yang forms. These elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The second sub-cycle comprise of the twelve zodiac animal signs, also known as the Earthly Branches.
Because the Chinese calendar is based on the moon's rotation, the new year can occur anytime from mid-January to late February.
The twelve animals are arranged in the following order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. These 12 animals represent the rotating 12-year cycle that is the basis of the Chinese Zodiac. You’ve likely heard reference to a particular year being the "Year of the Rabbit" or "Year of the Pig."　 　
The system of the twelve-year cycle of animal signs was built from observations of the orbit of Jupiter (the Year Star 岁星).
Each animal in the zodiac is associated with its own element — metal, wood, earth, water or fire - while each year is assigned an element. The combination of these two elements is said to define a person's personality.
Much of Chinese philosophy is built around the belief in the five elements and their abilities to interact with and create relationships between natural phenomena. The five elements have been part of Chinese culture almost from the beginning. Interestingly, few people outside the Asian world understand the importance of the five elements, especially how each relates to the workings of the Chinese Zodiac.
This can be illustrated with the example of wood which can be used to spark a fire. Water can then be used to overcome fire and fire can help in the production of metal. Thus we find that the Chinese philosophers drew out their parallels from the natural behavior and processes of the five elements with each other.
Generally speaking, the years ending in odd numbers are Yin, while the years ending in even numbers are represented by Yang. 2009 is the Yin Earth Ox year. This means that 2009, is an Ox year that will have the Yin influence or a quieter, slower and tranquil feel.
The Ox symbolizes the attainment of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. The underlying tone of the Ox year is patience, perseverance, dependability and dedication. The Earth OX energy in particular is about ideals and principles; therefore, you may notice these attributes being very important in whatever you pursue for 2009.
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华人日历以六十年为一周期。在这周期里，有含有两个分周期。这两个分周期相互交流。第一个分周期由十个天干所组成，也就是五行的阴与阳。五行是：木、火、土、金、水。另一个分周期由十二生肖所组成，亦称为十二地支。
有为华历史根据月亮的运转来计算，新年会在阳历一月中至二月尾间的任何一天。
十二生肖动物的排列次序是：鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。这十二动物代表十二年的运转周期，成为华历的主成分。所以你经常会听到说某年是兔年或猪年。
以动物生肖为符号的十二的周年时根据观察到的岁星轨道而建立起来的，所谓十二黄道带也。
每一个生肖动物都与五行（金木土水火）中一个元素相连，每年指定一个五行元素。据说这两个元素的结合就决定了一个人的个性。
中国哲学大部分是基于对五行的信仰与它们同大自然的交流与所建起的关系。五行几乎是从开始就是中国文化的一部分。有趣的是，在亚洲以外，很少人了解五行元素的重要性，尤其是每个元素与华人生肖运作的关系。
可以说明的例子是，木可以用来生火；水可以用来制火与火可以用来冶金。所以我们可以看到，中国哲学家把自然界的行为与五行元素的运作对等来看待。
一般来说，单数年属阴，双数年属阳。2009年是阴土的牛年。就是说，这个牛年受阴的影响，相对会平静、缓慢、安静。
牛年代表必须坚忍不拔与勤劳奋力争取幸福。牛年的基调是耐心、耐性、可靠、献身。土牛的能量特别适合用于理想性与原则性的东西；所以，在2009年，无论做任何事，都要牢记这些属性很重要。

Chinese Zodiacal Years 华人生肖本命年

The Zodiac is part of an elaborate and laborious system based on Chinese astronomy, cosmology, and divination. The Chinese zodiac has twelve signs. Originally, these signs did not have animals associated with them but were signs used to record dates. They were called the 12 Earthly Branches and 10 Celestial Stems and their use went back to the Shang dynasty.
It is said that the twelve animals were introduced when Buddhism spread into China. The twelve animals are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
In China, each person is assigned one of the zodiac animals at birth and after that every twelve years he will experience a ‘zodiacal year’. A person should be more careful and be prepared for any contingency as it is believed that he will offend ‘taishui’ in that year. Taisui is a mysterious power or celestial body that could control people's fortune. The best way to avoid miserable events is to wear things that are red, such clothes, a waistband, or decorations such as a red bracelet and necklace as a talisman that must be purchased by others. If the person himself buys them, the function is greatly lessened.
Generally, those who believe in zodiacal year will avoid travel far from home. In some places, a person is not supposed to go out of their home on the eve of their zodiacal year.
Even emperors behaved differently in their zodiacal year. Zhao Ji, or Song Huicong of the Song dynasty was born in the year of dog. In such a year, he would forbid his subjects to kill dogs.
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中国生肖是根据中国天文、宇宙观与占卦形成的复杂而费劲的系统。中国生肖有十二种符号。本来，这些符号是用来记录日期，与动物没有关系。它们叫做十二天干与十地支，可追溯到商朝。
据说十二个动物是当佛教传到中国时被带进来的。这十二个动物是:鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗与猪。
在中国，一个人出世时就属一个动物。以后每十二年就是他的本命年。在本命年，它应该十分小心，并防万一，因为人们相信本命年犯太岁。太岁是控制人的一种神秘的力量或神体。避免厄运的最好方法穿由别人买给你的红色东西作为护身符，如衣服，束腰带，或者红色手镯和项链之类的首饰。如果是自己买的，效果就没有那末好了。
一般上，相信本命年的人，那年不会出远门。在一些地方，本命年前夕是不可出家门的。
贵如帝王也如此。赵佶，就是宋徽宗，属狗。在狗年，他会禁止人们杀狗。