Once, a group of Chinese people joined in the reception of a visiting delegation composed of European nobles. Most of them were related to royalty and were very learned and cultivated, treating others with courtesy and politeness. However, beneath their sophistication lay a certain arrogance. On the last day of the gathering, possibly after having too much alcohol, these nobles' words and actions became rather capricious. During the dinner, a German noble stood up and said: "You Chinese, why do you belong to animals like pigs, dogs, and rats! Unlike us, we are Taurus, Leo, Andromeda... I can't imagine what your ancestors were thinking!" The audience burst into laughter, clinking glasses, and all previous elegance disappeared.
By all means, when someone is cursing your ancestors, even if you can't think of a retort, at least you could overturn the table! However, all the Chinese present remained silent, possibly not reacting fast enough. At this moment, a Chinese person stood up and said gently: "Yes, our Chinese ancestors were indeed practical. Our twelve zodiac signs are paired absolutely, six cycles, reflecting our ancestors' hopes and requirements for us." At this point, the atmosphere on the scene gradually quieted down, but there was still an air of indifference on the faces of the nobles.
The Chinese person continued: "The first pair is the rat and the ox. The rat represents intelligence, and the ox represents diligence. Intelligence and diligence must be closely combined. If you only have intelligence without diligence, it becomes cunning; and if you only have diligence without intelligence, it becomes foolishness. These two must be combined. This is the hope and requirement our ancestors had for the first pair, and also the most important one."
"The second pair is the tiger and the rabbit. The tiger represents bravery, and the rabbit represents caution. Bravery and caution must be closely combined to achieve boldness with prudence. If bravery is separated from caution, it becomes recklessness, and without bravery, it becomes cowardice. This pair is also very important," added the Chinese person, looking at these nobles, "when we show caution, don't assume that the Chinese lack courage."
Seeing everyone lost in thought, the Chinese person continued: "The third pair is the dragon and the snake. The dragon represents strength, and the snake represents flexibility. As the saying goes, 'the tough ones break easily,' too tough and you're likely to break, but if you only have flexibility, you're likely to lose your direction. Therefore, combining strength with flexibility is our ancestral teaching."
"Next is the horse and the sheep. The horse represents moving forward resolutely, and the sheep represents gentleness. If a person only focuses on his own goal without considering the surrounding environment, he will constantly collide with the surroundings, and may not reach his goal in the end. But if a person only cares about being gentle, he might lose his direction. Therefore, the resolute nature must be tightly combined with gentleness, which is the fourth hope our ancestors had for us."
"Then comes the monkey and the rooster. The monkey represents agility, and the rooster, which crows regularly, represents stability. Agility and stability must be closely combined. If you are only agile without stability, no matter how good the policy is, you won't reap its benefits. On one hand, maintaining overall harmony and order while ensuring stability, and on the other hand, advancing through adaptability, this is the basic principle."
"Finally, the dog and the pig. The dog represents loyalty, and the pig represents amiability. If a person is too loyal and doesn't understand amiability, they will exclude others. Conversely, if a person is too amiable without loyalty, they will lose their principles. Whether it's loyalty to a nation or loyalty to one's ideals, it must be tightly combined with amiability so as to maintain inner balance more easily."
After the explanation, the Chinese person said: "Finally, I would like to know what hopes and requirements your Aquarius, Sagittarius, etc., constellations reflect from your ancestors? I hope for your guidance."
These nobles remained speechless for a long time, and the whole venue erupted in applause.
After reading, share it because we are descendants of Yan and Huang.