春节文化教学系列 | 中国的十二生肖
旺
财
旺
福
狗年吉祥
The Year of the Dog
十二生肖，也叫“十二属相”，是中国人传统上用来计算年龄的十二种动物，分别是鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。在中国，每个人一出生就有一种动物做他的生肖，比如在农历猴年出生的人就属猴。
The Chinese zodiac, also called the “Twelve Zodiac”, refers to the twelve animals that Chinese people traditionally used to calculate people’s ages. They are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In China, everyone is born in a year with an animal assigned to that year. For example, a person born in the Year of the Monkey would be a Monkey.
十二生肖在中国的传统文化中都有其独特的形象。
Each animal in the zodiac has its unique traits in traditional Chinese culture.
鼠
老鼠胆小多疑，人们常用“胆小如鼠”说一个人胆子小。
Rats are timid and suspicious, and people often use “as timid as a rat” to describe a timid man.
the Rat
牛
牛主要用于农耕，所以中国人对牛的感情很深，认为牛勤劳、不求回报。
Oxen are mainly used for farming, so Chinese people have deep feelings towards them, regarding them as industrious animals that do not ask for anything in return.
the Ox
虎
勇猛威武的老虎则被人们认为是孩子的保护神，所以以前小孩子常戴虎头帽、穿虎头鞋。
Mighty and brave tigers were thought to be the patron of children, so in old times children often wore tiger hats and tiger-headed shoes.
the Tiger
兔子
兔子在中国的传统故事中常常是聪明机智的角色，现在人们常用“动如脱兔”来形容一个人行动起来像飞跑的兔子一样敏捷。
Rabbits are often clever characters in traditional Chinese stories. Now people often use “move as a rabbit” to describe a person who is as agile as a running rabbit.
the Rabbit
龙
龙是人们用想象创造出来的，作为力量和精神的象征，龙一直备受中国人喜爱，“望子成龙”说的就是父母希望子女能有大成就，像龙一样高贵杰出。
Dragons are imaginary creatures. As an icon of physical and spiritual strength, the dragon has always been much loved by Chinese people. “Hoping my son will become a dragon” expresses the wish of parents for their children to achieve a big success in life, and to be as outstanding as a dragon.
the Chinese Dragon
蛇
蛇多以负面形象出现，常被用来形容狠毒之人。
Snakes often appear in negative images, and are often used to describe vicious people.
the Snake
马
马在中国人心中是忠诚、勤恳、有灵性的，人们用“马到成功”形容做事情很快就取得成功。
Horses are regarded by the Chinese people as loyal, hardworking and intelligent, and people use “achieving success when the horse arrives” to describe an immediate victory.
the Horse
羊
羊一直被认为是温顺又善良的，“替罪羊”现在是指替别人受罪的人。
Sheep are considered gentle and kind, and “scapegoat” describes someone who is blamed for faults of others.
the Sheep
猴
猴子是机灵、调皮的，中国古典名著《西游记》中的孙悟空形象就是猴子的典型代表。
Monkeys are clever and naughty. The Monkey King in the Chinese classic Journey to the West is a typical image of the monkey.
the Monkey
鸡 狗 猪
另外，鸡的守时、狗的忠诚也是大家公认的，肥头大耳的猪则象征着福气。
In addition, punctuality of the rooster and loyalty of the dog are well-recognised. A chubby pig is a symbol of blessings.
the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig
你是不是很好奇，十二生肖中为什么没有猫呢？
You might be curious as to why there is no cat in the zodiac.
据说是因为中国古代没有猫，而十二生肖在猫传入中国以前就已经产生了。
It is said that there were no cats in ancient China. The Chinese zodiac had been created before cats were introduced to China.
本文选自《中国人的生活故事（第二辑）·七十古稀》
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