Appreciation of Chinese Folk Art · Paper Cutting · Twelve Zodiac Animals (Rooster)

Author: Lu Zhongmin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Monkey Year, folk paper-cut with rustic simplicity, can be combined into a booklet or separated into individual pages, European-style production, allows tearing off any page without damaging the booklet, an excellent choice as a gift for collection. Among the numerous folk paper-cuts across the country, the twelve zodiac signs are one of the most common themes. The zodiac, also known as the Chinese (shengxiao), refers to the year of birth (sheng) and resemblance (xiao). The twelve zodiac signs originate from ancient China's Gan-Zhi (Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches) calendar system. Each of the twelve animals is paired with one of the twelve Earthly Branches, resulting in the order: Zi (rat), Chou (ox), Yin (tiger), Mao (rabbit), Chen (dragon), Si (snake), Wu (horse), Wei (sheep), Shen (monkey), You (rooster), Xu (dog), and Hai (pig). By associating these twelve animal branches with human birth years, the twelve zodiac signs emerged, becoming popular as early as the Northern and Southern Dynasties period and even more so during the Tang Dynasty. People link their impressions of animal habits to the personalities of their zodiac signs, and even to their entire lives, forming a uniquely Chinese zodiac culture. Folk paper-cuts depicting the twelve zodiac signs reflect the direct understanding of zodiac culture in agricultural times, serving not only as decoration but also embodying people's ideals for life. The "Shen" time, corresponding to 3–5 PM, is said to be when monkeys are most likely to call out, with their voices long, loud, and resonant, hence the association with the zodiac sign for monkeys. Because Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, held the position of "Bima Wen" (Minister of Horses) under the Jade Emperor in the classical Chinese mythological novel Journey to the West, folk art often depicts monkeys as guardian deities for livestock stalls and stables. The homophone "Bima Wen" (, meaning "avoid horse plague") is used to wish for the safety and health of livestock. Thus, due to Sun Wukong's association with "Bima Wen," monkeys became protectors and auspicious symbols for livestock. Monkeys have a close relationship with humans, and people perceive them as: agile, intelligent, and playful.