The cultural symbolic meaning of the zodiac horse

The horse has a very high status in the culture of the Chinese nation and has a series of symbols and meanings.

The Dragon Horse Spirit is the national spirit of continuous struggle, self-improvement, and progress that the Chinese nation has advocated since ancient times. The ancestors believed that the dragon horse is the benevolent horse, the elves of the Yellow River, and the incarnation of the descendants of Yan and Huang, representing the main spirit and highest morality of the Chinese nation. It is eight feet and five inches tall, with a long neck, which makes it extremely stalwart. The bones have wings, and there is a circle of colored mane on the edge of the wings, which makes the neck roar and emits a beautiful and harmonious sound. What a glamorous Junyi image, what a chic and high-spirited posture. Ancestors in the view of the world have put Ryoma equivalent to Shun Yeung dry, it's energetic, bright, warm, high, rising, full, prosperous, developed a synonym for " Book of Changes " in simply said: "dry as a horse", it is The symbol of heaven also represents the emperor, father, adult, gentleman, ancestors, gold and jade, awe, majesty, health, kindness, lofty, primitive, endless life... This is what Confucius summarized in the "Zhou Yi·Qian Gua" The origin of the most resounding saying that has been handed down by the Chinese from generation to generation: "The sky is healthy, the gentleman strives for self-improvement!" Yes, this dragon horse, born out of the soul of our nation, is extremely majestic and powerful. The month follows the day, and the stars fight against each other, taking advantage of the wind and rain, reluctant to give up day and night. Isn't this a vivid portrayal of the Chinese nation fighting against the sky and conquering nature? Isn't it a vivid metaphor for the descendants of Yan and Huang to overcome difficulties and move forward forever? Isn't it just a reflection of the Chinese people's optimistic and upward meaning of life in fear of hardships and dangers?

The horse is also a symbol of ability, sage, talent, and accomplishment. The ancients often compared it with the "thousand horses". The Maxima is an excellent steed that travels thousands of miles every day. According to legend, King Zhou Mu had eight horses, and he often rode around the world. The names of the eight horses: one is called Jedi, who can fly without touching the soil or landing on their feet; one is called Fanyu, which can run faster than a bird; one is called Benjing, which can travel thousands of miles at night; and the other is Chaoying, which can Chasing the sun and galloping; one is called Yuhui, the color of horsehair is brilliant and radiant; one is called Chaoguang, and the horse has ten shadows; the other is called Tengwu, which is flying in the clouds and mist; the other is called Niaiyi , With wings on his body, soaring for ninety thousand miles like a Dapeng. Some ancient books imagine the "Eight Horses" as eight different coat colors, each with nice names: Chiji, Pirateli, Baiyi, Yulun, Shanzi, Quhuang, Huali, and Luer. In fact, the magical legends of steeds all describe virtuous talents, and don't really believe them in myths. The Eight Horses of King Zhou Mu are actually a metaphor for his group of people, with outstanding talents and extraordinary abilities, each with their special abilities to jointly assist Zhou Tianzi's great cause in the world.

The more clear and unmistakable description of talents with horses is the famous allusion of "a daughter buys bones". During the Warring States Period, the kings of various countries competed to recruit talents in order to maintain the stability of the country. King Yan Zhao is no exception. He is ready to recruit outstanding talents with a humble attitude and generous remuneration. A courtier named Guo Wei in the State of Yan told King Zhao a fable about the Chollima: Once upon a time, a king wanted to spend a thousand dollars to ask for a Chollima. Three years have passed, but he has not been able to do so. The doorman took the initiative to ask for a fight, saying that he could get a great horse. The monarch sent him and found the whereabouts of Chollima within three months, but the horse was already dead. The doorman took out five hundred gold to buy the bones of the horse, and returned for business. The monarch said angrily: "What I want is a live horse, how can you buy back a bunch of dry bones for five hundred gold?" The doorman replied, "Yes, today I spent five hundred gold on the bones of a Chollima for the king. , That a living Maxima is not knowing how expensive it is. From this, the people of the world know that the king values ​​Maxima so much, are they worried that other Maxima will come one after another?” Sure enough, less than a year, the Maxima ran over again and again.

When Guo Kui talked about this, the topic suddenly changed, and he contacted the present: Today, if the king is really looking for talents and recruiting talents, then let me reuse Guo Kui first. Even the not-so-excellent talents like me are valued. What about the real talents who are better than me? Once Chollima intends to defect to someone, he will come automatically no matter how far away. ( Chinese Zodiac http:///shengxiao/)

This is a story from the "Warring States Policy", which shows us the principle of seeking talents. Just because horses symbolize talents, people who are good at horses are hailed as talents of good knowledge and good deeds. For example, Wang Liang of Zhao State in Qin Dynasty, Bole of Qin State, Fang Jiuhou, etc. are all experts of Xiang Ma. The boring situation of talent burying or lack of performance is called "all horses together." The famous Qing literati Gong Zizhen said in a poem: "Kiuzhou students rely on wind and thunder, and Wanma Zhang is decayed; I persuade Tiangong to tremble again and cast down talents in any style."