The year 2009 is the Year of Ox.The ox is a representative o

The year 2009 is the Year of Ox.The ox is a representative of the farming culture of China.
In the farming economy(经济),oxen are the major animals pulling plows(犁).
Of course,the good of oxen is not limited to plowing.In fact,they are seen as "boats on land"
for their ability to carry loads.Besides,the whole body of an ox is full of treasures.Their meat and milk are food full of nutrition,and their skin can be used to make clothes and shoes.With all these qualities,oxen are regarded as generous creatures.
In the past,oxen played an important role in the spiritual life of the Chinese.Even today,oxen still play a special part in some folk activities.For example,some people who live in southwest
China will cook cattle bone soup and share it among family members when holding the
ceremony for children who reach 13.They believe that the cattle bone soup represents the
blood relationship among family members.In order to express their love for oxen,people in
some other areas will run to shake off diseases on the 16th day of the first month by the
lunar calendar(农历),and during their run they will take their oxen along,which indicates they regard the creature as human.
Because of the contribution of oxen in their lives,the Chinese people are very grateful to
the animal.In addition,the use of oxen in ceremonies and the thanks people owe to oxen help to develop various traditional customs,which becomes an important part of the folk culture of the Chinese nation.

2009年是十二生肖中的牛年,在中国牛是农业文明的典型代表.在以农耕为主要经济收入的时代,牛在耕地拉犁上起到了重要作用.
当然一头牛的价值不仅仅在于耕地.事实上,由于牛可以拉重型货物所以也被称为陆地上的货船.此外,牛的全身上下都是宝.牛肉和牛奶作为食物提供了大量的营养,牛皮又可以做衣服和皮鞋.这些优点让牛成为是最有价值的动物.
在过去,牛在中国的封建时代扮演着重要的角色.即使在今天,牛仍然在民间的活动中有着特殊的作用.例如：在中国的西南地区,当孩子到了13岁的时候全家大小就会熬制牛骨汤来庆祝仪式.他们认为牛骨汤代表着家庭成员之间的血脉关系.在其他一些地区,人们为了表达对于牛的喜爱,在正月十六的那一天人们会奔跑来除去身上的晦气.在跑的过程中会带着自己的牛,这也暗示着把牛当成自己的一员.
因为牛的一生都在奉献,所以中国人对牛充满了感激.另外,牛在节日中国的地位和人们感谢牛在许多传统文化中做的贡献逐渐变成了中国民间文化的不可或缺的部分.