Welcoming the Lunar New Year: What we can learn from the Ox for the coming month

Happy Lunar New Year! We welcomed in the Year of the Metal Ox on 12^th February 2021 at Chinese Spring Festival. People around the world gathered and celebrated as best they could while still keeping each other safe.

What does the Ox symbolise?

There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. The legend tells that the Jade Emperor invited all the world’s animals to compete in a race. Twelve animals arrived, so the Emperor decided that the order in which they completed the race would determine their order in the Zodiac. How did the ox do? Well, the race involved crossing a huge river. The kind Ox allowed the exhausted Rat to sit on its head as it swam across. The cunning Rat then dashed across the line first, followed by the Ox. This story tells us some of the characteristics of Oxen folk. If you were born an Ox you tend to be kind, reliable, dependable, honest and determined. But you can also communicate poorly sometimes, be overly sure that your way is the only way, be stubborn and arrogant.

Although traditionally, the year of your animal is considered bad luck – so this year is not a great year for the Ox – hard work can overcome misfortune to a great extent.

Let us all take forward the best qualities of the Ox into the next lunar year – we could all do with them. Let us draw on Ox’s kindness to support one another. Let us be the reliable friend. Let us speak honestly to ourselves. Let us draw on Ox’s strength to persevere

May we also learn from Ox’s weaknesses. Let us be mindful of communicating well, listening fully. Let us stand out of the way and be less stubborn and obstructive when change is needed. Let us recognise the value of other people’s views.

Happy Lunar New Year!

By Diana Bebby