Happy New Year, Readership!

Just a quick post to tell you about the year of the cow.

This year, 2021, is said to be a year of the cow. You can also call it the year of the ox, bull, or water buffalo, depending on what part of the Sinosphere you hail from.

I've already written about the Chinese Zodiac on other posts, but the Chinese Zodiac was adopted in other countries of Chinese influence, particularly Vietnam, Korea and Japan, with modifications for localization. In Vietnam, the water buffalo is preferred to the bull, cow or ox, for example.

If you recall the story of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, a race was held to determine the order of the 12 animals.

The cow was wise and started early, but the mouse was smart and rode on its head. As they approached the goal, the mouse jumped off the cow's head, taking first place, and the cow came in second.

It is said that people will take on the characteristics of the animal of the year they are born on.

Thus, according to Chinese folklore, people born in the Year of the Cow are said to be slow, but steady. As cows are beasts of burden, they are strong, determined, diligent and dependable. Moving slowly and chewing their cud, cows tend to be stoic and unflinching, minding their business. People born on this sign are wise, taking time to think about decisions, acting early, and being prepared for the future. But don't mess with a bull, or you'll get the horns.

Happy 2021!