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Goats have very different images in different cultures. In Western culture, the goat is often seen as a symbol of fornication and is even given the role of a demon. Legend has it that goats lure men into sexual immorality in dreams, leading to many low-level teenagers' first sex related to goats. This perception is even associated with sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis.
However, in traditional Chinese culture, the image of the goat is very different, and it is given positive meanings, such as "joyful spirit", "three yang kaitai", "lamb kneeling milk", etc., as well as the "three animals" that are indispensable in sacrifice. This difference begs the question: Why do Chinese and Western cultures view goats so differently?
In the West, the roots of associating goats with fornication date back to the Renaissance. In his work The Faerie Queen, Spencer uses the goat as a symbol of one of the seven deadly sins, representing fornication. In de Bligh's prints, the goat is also seen as a symbol of human depravity, in which the goat represents fornication. The origins of these cultural symbols deserve to be explored in depth.
Shepherds in ancient Europe lived in remote areas all year round and lacked sex education, so their sexual enlightenment often came from close contact with animals. This situation is not uncommon in societies that lack sex education, just as the boys in the novel White Deer Plain receive sex education from the mating of animals. In such an environment, the strong sexual desire of uncastrated male goats arouses the desire of shepherds, resulting in sex between humans and goats becoming a common phenomenon.
In the 50s of the 20th century, the Kinsey Sexology Report in the United States even specifically counted the sexual contact between humans and animals. Statistics show that sexual contact with animals by men is not uncommon in rural America, and half or more young men have experienced it. These figures reflect that sexual relations between humans and goats may be quite common in certain circumstances.
So why are goats specifically associated with fornication? In fact, no matter what kind of domestic animal, it has the potential to become a catharsis for desire. The reason why goats are given the reputation of fornication is on the one hand because of the strong sexual desire of the goats, and on the other hand, because the closed living environment of the shepherds makes it difficult to satisfy their sexual needs. In addition, people's ignorance also played an important role in the formation of this concept. When shepherds are caught having sex with sheep, they often put the blame on the sheep, saying that the sheep tempted them.
In addition, the possibility of contracting diseases after contact with goats is also one of the important reasons why goats are regarded as "demons". Although syphilis is only transmitted between humans, some researchers believe that syphilis may originate in sheep. Thus, the association of goats with STDs further reinforces its negative image.
In the Age of Discovery, goats were often carried on sailing ships. During the long voyage, the goats became a relief companion for the crew. Although there were priests on board, they could not punish the crew in order to maintain stability on board, so the goat became a scapegoat, further reinforcing the impression of goats and fornication.
However, in China, people have positive feelings about sheep. The sheep is one of the twelve zodiac signs and is seen as a symbol of good luck. In Chinese legend, sheep were punished by the Jade Emperor for stealing grain seeds for humans, but sheep were willing to sacrifice their lives for righteousness and sacrificed meat, milk and furs to help humans. This legend reflects Chinese's respect and gratitude for sheep.
In addition, Chinese folk culture also reinforces the positive image of sheep. For example, "sending sheep to exhort filial piety" is a traditional etiquette that teaches children to be filial. The allusion comes from a shepherd uncle who took his little nephew to watch the lamb kneel and gave him a lamb to raise to teach filial piety. This custom continues to this day and reflects respect for sheep.
In general, there is a huge difference in Chinese and Western attitudes towards goats, which stems from the interweaving of multiple factors such as culture, history, and environment. The West considers goats to be promiscuous
Symbolism, partly derived from Renaissance cultural symbolism, was also influenced by the shepherds' closed living environment and sexual enlightenment. This idea is deeply ingrained in Western culture and has even left a deep mark on history.
However, Chinese cultural traditions stand in stark contrast to the image of goats. Sheep have always played an important role in traditional Chinese culture and are seen as a symbol of good luck, kindness and filial piety. This concept is highly respected in China's cultural heritage and is closely related to people's daily lives and rituals.
In Confucian culture, sheep are given the symbol of a gentleman's character. Confucius emphasized the idea of "a group of gentlemen without a party", a quality that was reflected in sheep. Dong Zhongshu further emphasized this concept, comparing the virtue of a gentleman with that of a sheep. Sheep are also often used in various sayings and proverbs to indicate goodness and virtue.
In addition, sheep also play an important role in Chinese sacrifices. In the sacrifices of antiquity, the sheep have always been one of the most important sacrifices. Lamb is regarded as a fine product and is used as a sacrifice to show respect for the gods. This tradition continues to this day and reflects Chinese's reverence and gratitude for sheep.
All in all, the difference in attitudes towards goats in China and the West can be traced back to a variety of factors such as culture, history, and environment. In Western culture, goats are given images of fornication and demons, while in traditional Chinese culture, goats symbolize good luck, kindness, and filial piety. This difference reflects the very different ways in which different cultures understand and view the sheep as an animal. In any case, the goat, as a cultural symbol, with its diversity and ambiguity, enriches cultural traditions around the world, and also provides us with opportunities for deep reflection and discussion.
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