Barking dogs bring prosperity for New Year (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-01-28 14:26 "In China's primitive ages, dogs were regarded as
intelligent animals," Wu Bingan, a professor of Folklore, said. "In the
mythology of Han Nationality, the dog is revered as one of the 28 constellations
in the Heavenly Palace."
JanuaJanuary 29 welcomes in the Year of the Dog under
the Chinese zodiac.ry 29 welcomes in the Year of
the Dog under the Chinese zodiac. |
Among the ethnic minorities located in southwest China, dogs are even treated
as their creators or ancestors. A fairy tale of Yao Nationality said, "The
Nanyue King was captured by his enemy so the King's mother promised to marry the
King's daughter to anyone who could save the King.
It was the dog named 'Panhu', raised by the Nanyue King, that saved the King
in the end. Later, 'Panhu' married the King's daughter and their descendants are
the Yao Nationality."
Nowadays, dogs in China make their contribution to pushing forward China's
economic development, which is the core task of China at this current stage.
The number of dogs registered as pets has exceeded 400,000 in Beijing,
including those that have not been registered, the total number is thought to be
over 1 million. Experts predicted that the annual sales of pet-related products
in the country might exceed 6 million yuan (741,000 U.S. dollars) in 2006.
A glance at well-preened dogs walking on the streets or gardens by their
owners can prove dogs are pampered by their owners as the favorite pet during
this "pet craze" in better-off Chinese cities.
The dog is thought to be loyal, reliable, persistent, resourceful, unselfish
and honest. "Dogs are often portrayed in modern Chinese novels and movies as
heroes for their loyalty and honesty," Zhai Yunduan, a professor with the
Liaoning Normal University, said.
People born in the "Year of the Dog" are also considered to have similar
merits. Thus many wannabe parents prepare to have their babies in the "Year of
the Dog". "My wife and I both love puppies, which are lovely, cute and loyal,"
Ao Tian, a fashion chain store owner, said, who will greet his baby in October
2006.
Meanwhile, in the coming "Year of the Dog", the lunar cycle begins relatively
early and will last for 385 days until February 17, 2007 -- a phenomenon that
has occurred only 12 times in more than 2,300 years between 221 B.C. and 2100.
The last 385-day lunar year was 1944.
As the year is unusually long, it will have 13 months, with an intercalary
month between the seventh and eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, as
well as two "lichun" on February 4 of 2006 and 2007 respectively - the
auspicious day marks the beginning of spring.
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