Dragon Monkey Ramble
19 June 2008 - 17 סיון 5768 by Huw
While I was watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, I became obsessed with the Chinese name of one character - Bia Huli: the Jade Fox. I thought it might be nice to present a friend of mine (who rather likes foxes) with the Chinese Character for Fox. My first discovery was that the “Huli Jing” are all the mischievous fairy spirits of Chinese myths. (Although modern understandings and usage of the “huli jing” are not always polite.) The Chinese word “Huli” - often for “fox” - seems to have a suffix on it. The actual word for fox is “Hu”. This amused me.
So I went looking for the Character “Hu”, which is some how connected to the White Tiger (we’re back at the movie for a moment) and that led me to the discovery that Chinese Mythological Cosmology has, like western Wicca and Ceremonial Magick, a four-animal/ colour/ element pattern as well (I expected it to be five, since I know of the five elements of Taoism). And from there it was a quick link to Chinese Astrology.
Which isn’t really astrology: there are not signs in the heavens assigned to each of the 12 Animals of the cycle. Rather they are perceived as a sort of phase or stage through which all things pass. But I was surprised to learn that there are not only Year signs, but also monthly signs and even hourly signs. That one is what people see in you, the second is what motivates you and the third is called the “secret sign”, revealing your true, inner nature.
It was amusing for me to think of all those place mats in Asian eateries that have the “year sign” which is only what “others see in you”. And to think, of all the people saying, “It says I’m pompous?” And all the friends say, “yes.” And the response is suddenly, “I can be pompous because my Chinese Astrology says I am.” An instant confusion of the inner and outer personas on the part of the person, himself!
So, yes, I was born in a Dragon year. But in a Monkey Month… and, I’m sure it will come as no surprise, in a Rabbit Hour.
