960-1127 AD Song Dynasty Period,Ox Zodiac,Ancient Mirror Chinese Coin,43 mm.

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960-1127 AD Song Dynasty Period,Ox Zodiac,Ancient Mirror Chinese Coin,43 mm.:
$57.00

960 - 1127 AD Song Dynasty Period,OxZodiac, Ancient Mirror Chinese Coin.

Song dynasty

The Song dynasty was an era of Chinese history that began in 960 and continued until 1279. It succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, coincided with the Liao and Western Xia dynasties, and was followed by the Yuan dynasty.

 Origin and Culture of Chinese Zodiac

It\'s a mystery that which country created the zodiac first. According to the historical literature, the 12 animals in China used today including the animal selection and their orders were originated in the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The order of the animals is most explained with a folk-tale about how the animals were summoned to heaven by the Jade Emperor who ruled the heavens of China.

Why is the Chinese zodiac system so important to the Chinese?

As an important part of the traditional Chinese Culture, the Chinese Zodiac culture has long been recognized, accepted, taken by consensus and penetrated into the daily lives of the Chinese people.

Everyone, from the date of birth, has his unique animal sign accompanying him with the life long time.

It is the birth symbol and mascot with different symbolic meanings for each one affecting their behaviors, characters and destiny.

People show their strong belief in fortune and luck through the animal signs. As each animal sign has unique personality traits, the Chinese people like to predict people’s relations and more according to this.

For example, when finding their mates, Chinese people hope to find the person with the animal sign that compatible with his best. Also the zodiac provides guidance on how people live their lives.

For example, according to Chinese astrology, in different animal years, people under different signs should pay attention to different things in order to go smoothly in the year. All in all, the Chinese zodiac is an important component of China\'s ancient culture, reflecting the rich psychology of the Chinese people vividly.

Why did the Chinese zodiac animals fix the number twelve?

According to the research, all agreed that the reason why Chinese zodiac animals fixed to 12 ones is greatly related to the traditional Chinese astronomy and calendar. The ancient people observed the phases of the moon and found that there is 12-times full moon in a year.

So, they divided twelve months in a year and 12 two-hour periods in a day as they regard 12 as the number given under the will of Heaven. Therefore, the twelve Earthly Branches and the twelve zodiac animals appeared afterwards.

Why choose the present twelve animals not others?

The chosen of 12 animals are greatly related to Chinese people’s daily and social life. If you analyze these animals carefully, you can find that they can be divided into three categories:

The first group is Chinese six domestic animals: horse, ox, goat, pig, dog and chicken. They are raised and trained for economic and other purposes playing important roles in Chinese agriculture. In people’s traditional view, a family will have a flourishing population and live happily if their domestic animals are all thriving. When the Chinese spring festival comes, people always wish their domestic animals thrive in the coming year. So, due to their importance, these six animals must be chosen in the 12 animals.

The second group is wild animals that are well known by the people and closely related to people’s life.

They are tiger, rabbit, monkey, rat and snake.

Among them, tiger and snake are feared, rat is detested, and rabbit and monkey are loved by the people.

These animals are commonly seen in people’s life and easily remembered and chosen into the 12 animals.

The last group includes one animal - dragon, the traditional mascot of Chinese people. It is the only fictitious animal in 12 ones.

Chinese people think they are descendants of the dragon and have a special emotion with it. It is a deified animal symbolizing auspicious, omnipotent ability and the loftiest power. So, dragon is indispensable.

\"Shichen\" is a timing unit in ancient China and an old Chinese way of dividing a day. Based on the time of sun rise, the traditional Chinese people divided a day which has 24 hours into 12 segments.

These segments with each having two hours are called Shichen. Each two-hour period (one Shichen) is given the name of one of the 12 Earthly Branches.

By observing life characters of animals in different time periods, the Chinese people linked each Shichen with one of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. Following are connections between 12 animals and Shichen:

Animal

Shichen

Time Period

Animal Features during the Period

Rat

Zi (子)

23:00-01:00

Rats are most active during this period in seeking food.

Chou (丑)

01:00-03:00

Oxen ruminate slowly and leisurely.

Tiger

Yin (寅)

03:00-05:00

Tigers are most ferocious and hurt prey more.

Rabbit

Mao (卯)

05:00-07:00

The jade rabbit on the moon is busy pounding medicinal herb according to the tale.

Dragon

Chen (辰)

07:00-09:00

Dragons are hovering in the sky to give rainfall.

Snake

Si (巳)

09:00-11:00

Snakes start to leave their caves.

Horse

Wu (午)

11:00-13:00

 The sun is overhead. Other animals are lying down for a rest, while Horses are still standing.

Sheep (Goat)

Wei (未)

13:00-15:00

Sheep(Goats) eat grass and urinate frequently.

Monkey

Shen (申)

15:00-17:00

Monkeys are screeching and most lively.

Rooster

You (酉)

17:00-19:00

Roosters return to their coops as it is getting dark.

Dog

Xu (戌)

19:00-21:00

Dogs are most alert and begin to do their duty to guard houses.

Pig

Hai (亥)

21:00-23:00

Pigs are sleeping soundly and growing fast. 

Zodiac Signs of Different Countries

Chinese zodiac culture, the gem and an important component of Chinese culture has deeply penetrated in people’s daily life in many aspects. It does not only exist in China, but also other countries in the world. However, the signs in different countries are different. Check the following table to get zodiac equivalents in other counties to Chinese zodiac signs.

Country

Zodiac Signs

China, Korea

Rat

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Sheep

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Japan

Rat

Tiger

Rabbit

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Sheep

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Boar

Vietnam

Rat

Buffalo

Tiger

Cat

Dragon

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Rooster

Dog

Pig

Thailand

Rat

Tiger

Rabbit

Python/ Large Snake

Snake

Horse

Goat

Monkey

Chicken

Dog

Pig (Elephant in Northern Thailand)

Egypt

(Traditional)

Nile

Amon-Ra

Mutual

Geb

Osiris

Isis

Thoth

Horus

Anubis

Seth

Bastet

Sekhmet

Egypt (Pharaoh’s)

Thoth

Horus

Wadjet

Sekhmet

Sphinx

Shu

Isis

Osiris

Amun-Ra

Hathor

Phoenix

Anubis

Myanmar (Burma)

Garuda (mythical bird)

Tiger

Lion

Elephant (with tusks)

Elephant (no tusks)

Rat

Guinea Pig

Dragon

Western Countries

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Condition and Grade

Please Judge The Item Condition For Your Self, What You See In The Photograph Is What You Get.

Item Description

In Ancient And Old China They Use To Gilt The Coins, And This Coin Mirror Still Has Little Remain Of Gilt On The Obverse.

Calendar : Chines.

Composition : Bronze.

Shape :Round.

Weight : Approx 36.0 g.

Diameter: Approx 43 mm.

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