How Are Oxen Related With The Miao Silver Jewels?
Residing in the mountainous areas of southwestern China, the Miao minority group respect and worship oxen. They think oxen is an auspicious animal which can bring them good luck. The image of oxen always appears in their handcrafted embroidery, batik, and silver jewels. In the 12-year animal cycles, the year of ox is regarded as the best year.
However in many other parts of China, a tiger year is considered a hopeful year. Why do the Miao prefer oxen? Here is a story:
A long time ago a tiger and an ox live together in a mountain. Both of them were strong and had super strength. Nobody could tell who was the strongest. One day the tiger and the ox decided to have a fight. Before the competition was started, they prepared for seven whole days. Everyday the tiger wrapped his body with canes layer upon layer, while the oxen rolled in mud and then basked to have the mud getting dry.
Seven days later, they met to start a battle with their unique armor. The tiger rushed at the ox to bite it, but the ox didn’t get hurt at all with the heavy layers of dried mud on his body. Then it’s the ox’s turn. With the sharp horns, the ox immediately broke the canes on the body of the tiger, and almost hurt the tiger’s belly. The scared tiger shouted, “Stop, stop!”
Since then, oxen was regarded as an hero in Miao culture. People think oxen can protect them, and give them peaceful life. They adorn their gates with a piece of horn-shaped wood, which can ward off evil spirits.
Images of oxen are widely used in the art of silver jewels and embroidery. Miao women’s silver headdress in the shape of an ox horn is considered the most important silver ornaments for big holidays. In some area, people wear a large ox horn shaped wooden comb to adorn their hair.
You can even feel the influence of oxen on Miao music. A famous bullfight dance is popular in the Miao areas. The dancers hold a bamboo made ox head in their hands, and imitate vividly the movements used in bullfight.
A special holiday is held for oxen every year. During the holiday, oxen are fed with good food, and bathed comfortably with clean water.
Dragon is always considered an auspicious animal in the Miao culture. People believe a special thing combined dragon with oxen together will surely bring them a prosperous life. So during the Dragon Boat Festival, they decorate their dragon boats with a pair of ox horn.
If you visit a Miao village, the local people will welcome you at the gate of their village with wine contained in a horn-shaped cup. The wine made of glutinous rice tastes a bit sweet. Women with their beautiful ethnic costumes and silver jewels look especially attractive.
C. Liu has been studying handmade silver jewelry, for years. Sometimes she promotes the work of select artists. Go to her website to see great examples of Miao silver jewelry.
