Why Do The Miao Apply The Image of Oxen To Their Silver Jewels?

Living in the remote mountainous areas of southwestern China, the Miao ethnic group like and respect oxen. To them, an ox is a lucky animal. They apply the image of oxen to their embroidery, batik, and silver jewels. In the 12-year animal cycles, the year of ox is considered the most prosperous 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, long time ago an ox and a tiger were neighbors in a mountain. They both had great strength. One day they wanted to have a fight to see who was the strongest. So they prepared themselves for seven days before the fight. Everyday the tiger was busy with wrapping his boy with canes layer upon layer, while the oxen rolled around in mud, and then sunned to have the mud getting dry.

Seven days later, a duel started. Running to the ox, the tiger tried to bite it with his sharp teeth. But how could he break the heavy layers of dried mud on the ox’s body? Finally the tiger had to give up. Then it’s the ox’s turn to make an attack. He used his long horn to break the canes on the tiger’s body in just a few minutes. And the horn almost hurt the tiger. The terrified tiger cried, ” No, no!”

Since then, oxen became an hero in Miao culture. People believe oxen can guard their life, and give them peace and safety. Thy decorate their gates with a small piece of horn-shaped wood. This way they can prevent any evil spirits from entering their home.

Various images of oxen are reflected in the art of batik, embroidery, and silver jewels. Some Miao women wear a huge, heaven, and glistening silver headdress in the shape of an ox horn, which is considered as the symbol of beauty and wealth; others adorn their hair with a big ox horn shaped wooden comb.

The image of oxen is even applied to music. A bullfight dance is popular with the Miao. The dancers follow the exciting music and imitate the movements used in bullfight, with a bamboo-made ox head in their hands.

The Miao even have a special holiday for oxen. On that day, oxen are fed with refined food, and bathed 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 writing about sterling silver jewelry, for years. She occasionally supports the work of select Miao silversmiths. Go to her website to see great examples of fine silver jewelry.