鼠年说鼠(2)
In the real world, rats are known for spreading diseases. It was regarded as one of the “four pests” in 1960s China.
在现实生活中,众所周知,老鼠能够传染疾病,在上世纪60年代被视为中国的“四害”之一。
Rats have also long been blamed for spreading the Black Death, which took the lives of about 25 million people around Europe in the 14th century.
老鼠向来也是传播黑死病的罪魁祸首,在14世纪的欧洲,约有2500万人死于此病。
Nevertheless, it’s time to know the other side of the rat, as the Chinese Lunar New Year is around the corner. The Year of the Rat starts on Jan 25.
但随着今年1月25日中国农历鼠年的到来,是时候了解老鼠的另一面了。
Chinese literature has some positive views of rats. In the novel Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, written by Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling, a courageous, smart and faithful rat, smaller in size and weaker in strength, battles with a fierce snake to save its companion.
老鼠在中国文学中也有一些正面的形象。在清朝作家蒲松龄所著的小说《聊斋志异》中,一只勇敢聪明又忠心耿耿的小老鼠,在体型和力量都处于下风的情况下,为救自己的同伴与一条凶猛的蛇一战。
There is also folklore treating the rat as a great hero. It is said that the rat created the world by taking a bite of heaven, bringing light to humans. It helped people survive by stealing firewood and grain seeds. As a result, many people worship the rat by offering sacrifices and praying for success.
也有民间传说将老鼠视为大英雄。据说老鼠把天咬开了一个洞,为人类带来了光明,从而创造了世界。它还为人们偷来了赖以生存的火种和谷种。因此,许多人都有崇拜老鼠的风俗,向其献祭,祈求成功。
张应龙 :(2020-03-29 12:51)
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