Thursday, February 19, 2015

Chinese New Year and the Froggies

Kung Hii Fatt Choi!

 

 2015 is the year of the wooden sheep!


The foundation of the Chinese Zodiac, also called Chinese Animal Astrology, was from the 12 "Earthly Branches" represented by the 12 animal symbols (The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar), the five elements (metal, water, wood, fire, and earth) and the Yin-Yang theory.   

There are many myths and legends about how the 12 animals representing the 12 years in a lunar cycle came into being.  One of the most popular is that the Lord Buddha called all the animals to come to him before departing this earth.  Only 12 animals came, and as a reward he named a lunar year after each according to the order in which it arrived.  The Rat was the first to get there, crossing the final river on the back of the Ox and jumping down in front.  Following them were the Tiger, Rabbit (Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat, Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (Pig).

 

 

I was born under the Year of the Dog (1970)  – 狗 / 犬 (戌) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal):Here is how i was described: Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, sensitive, easy going. Can be cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome.

 

To be more specific, i am a metal dog  (6 February 1970 – 26 January 1971). In Chinese TaoistMetal attributes are considered to be firmness, 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. thought,

Sadly speaking,   I guess the chinese have forgotten to include Frogs as part of the Chinese Zodiac .   Ironically, the Three legged Money Frog, also known as Chan Chu which means frog or toad, is an ancient and popular Chinese symbol for prosperity. It is  said to be the bearer of good fortune, which is why you always see them bringing two strings of coins tied behind their back and holding a lucky Ching Dynasty gold coin in their mouth. According to Feng Shui lore, Money Frogs are believed to drive away evil, protect wealth, and increase income.In ancient China, these mythical creatures are said to appear every full moon near homes that will receive good news of increased wealth or monetary gain. Feng Shui Masters believe that Money Frogs go out in the afternoon to collect money and return at night with lots of money sticking on their feet.

 

Even if the chinese bypassed  frogs in the chinese zodiac, at least the world's leading conservationists have together named 2008 "The Year of the Frog," in hopes of raising both awareness and funding needed to mitigate the amphibian extinction crisis. Globally, there are more than 4200 species of frogs, with new species being discovered every year Habitat loss from urbanization, disease, pesticides, poor land management practices, fire suppression, introduced predators and possibly issues associated with global climate change are just some of the causes that have individually or collectively played a part in the localized or range wide declines of many species of frogs.In addition to their pleasant calls, frogs also provide a free pest-control  service. Frogs eat billions of harmful insects annually, including mosquitoes and their larvae. In turn, they are a natural food item for many species of reptiles, fish, birds and mammals.


Frogs are one of the best leapers on the planet! Did you know that frogs can launch themselves over 20 times their own length using those big strong legs of theirs? That would be like if you could jump 100 feet! Frogs are powerful jumpers, and the ability to jump is a major factor in frogs' survival. A frog that can jump far and quickly is more likely to escape a predator.

Legs : Frogs do not use their front legs in jumping for anything more than balance. However, balance is an important part of being able to jump. A frog's front legs are more useful for propping it up when it sits.

Back Legs :A frog's back legs are what give it power and agility when it jumps. The large, strong muscles of a frog's back legs propel it into the air. 

Muscles : A frog needs to have strong, well-developed leg and back muscles in order to jump. The muscles tighten and bunch up like springs just before releasing tension, which causes the frog to spring into the air. 

Movement : Frogs jump in zigzag patterns for a couple of reasons. It is distracting and harder for a predator to catch a frog that is moving erratically, and it also helps the frog navigate the terrain it is moving over. 

Kung Hii Fatt Choi!

 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Xmas countdown: November 26

Xmas countdown: November 26. 29 days to go! Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
Mother Teresa

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Xmas countdown: November 25

Xmas countdown: November 25: 30 days to go! If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.Nelson Mandela

Monday, November 24, 2014

xmas countdown: November 24

xmas countdown: November 24: 31 days to go/1
“Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding” - Albert Einstein

Sunday, November 23, 2014

xmas countdown november 23

xmas countdown november 23 32days to go.Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness. Euripides

Friday, November 21, 2014

xmas countdowm: November 21

xmas countdowm: November 21: 34 days to go! “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
― John Lennon

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Universal Children's Day: November 20

Happy Universal Children's Day. This takes place annually on November 20.. First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world's children.

Xmas countdown: November 20

Xmas countdown: November 20: 35 days to go. Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.
Rabindranath Tagore

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Xmas countdown: November 18


Xmas countdown: November 18: 37 days to go! . I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
Audrey Hepburn

Monday, November 17, 2014

xmas countdown November 17

xmas countdown November 17 38 days to go! Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.
Helen Keller