Happy Chinese New Year of the Bull (Ox)!
新年快乐！
Illustration © Gao Tianli 2021 - Inspiration: The Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux.
In the Chinese zodiac, the Rat is succeeded by the Bull (the ox). Rattus rattus has been accused to be the zoonotic vector for pathogens responsible for deadly plagues, but , as far as we know, it has never been the case for Bos taurus (with the limited exception of the mad cow disease!).
Therefore, we are pleased to welcome the New Year and its ambassador, the splendid Bull (with the useful Ox), who played such a significant role in human culture, mythology and development, since the dawn of our civilization.
So, as a tribute to this old friend, and in the hope for its positive influence this year, we celebrate the ancient art of drawing bulls on stone walls, by our prehistoric ancestors, superbly demonstrated in the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux…
Illustration © Gao Tianli 2021 - Inspiration: The Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux.