Myths and Man - Symbols - Dog "gou" There are many dogs in mythology in every part and region of the world. Many myths are centered around the dog as a protector. Other myths show dogs as destroyers. Still other myths about dogs take on a more human character to them. What ever the myth are, dogs have been and are man's best friend. The outside dog watches over his master's family, home, and property. The inside dog wags his tail for attention and friendship delivering tongue kisses of affection. Who else would a young boy with no neighbors to play with, play, none other than the family pet, the dog. Who would the little girl put bows in the hair and dress up as baby than the inside dog. Who is there to warn us? Who is first to greet us when we come home? Always our friend the dog.
The modern dog that we know and love is said to have come from a heavy-jawed canines called "bear dogs" that gave way to an animal called "Tomarctus" that evolved to the present day dog. This may or may not be correct. Presently the canine group or Canidae family is divided into two groups the "ture dog" and "foxes." The true dog we love, the foxes we hate. I guess it's like Caine and Able. The normal one is always loved and the different one hated. Anyway the dog has been around approximately 15 to 20 million years give or take a few months, weeks, and days. However long the dog has been around, we do have records of the saluki dog breed being used in Egypt as hunting dogs around eight thousand years ago. What is interesting about the word saluki it comes for Arabic word meaning "noble one." So Egypt many not be the birth place of the modern dog. Our incredible friend, the dog continues to make headlines even today. Argos, the hunting dog, was the only one to recognize Ulysses the great Greek hero when Ulysses returns to Greece after his 20 year saga. Cerberus is still guarding the underworld to this date. Laika, the dog took a trip into space. When asked what did she think of space, she just jumped into the arms of her trainer and gave him a big tongue kiss and with a growl that seemed to say, "Next time you go, I'll hold the leash."
In western society we seem to have more sayings about dog than myths. Sayings like:
"Don't let the tail wag the dog." meaning "Do what you're going to do. Don't worry about consequences. Be Happy."
" Barking up the wrong tree." meaning "Your doing something and it isn't what you think it is."
"You can't teach an old dog new trick." meaning " People are set in their ways and they are not going to change."
Some modern western myths:
Tail wagging is a sign of a happy dog. This is probably true.
Dogs only see in black and white. Not true. Dogs see color but not the same as humans.
If you see a black dog someone will die. It is true that someone will die because someone dies every minute of the day.
The dog "gou" represents the eleventh creature in the Chinese zodiac. In Chinese mythology the dog "gou" comes in two flavors, Northern and Southern.
In Northern China the dog "gou" paper images of dogs are made and tossed in the river. This is to symbolize that the dog will take a bite out of evil spirits and chase them away so that no harm comes to the community. This paper dog ceremony is done each year on the 5th day of the 5th month, five being a good number, a number of mysticism. In ancient times and still in some places in the far west of China dogs don't do to well. In western China, the dog is considered "fragrant meat" and is said to be the tastiest of all meats. If you go to Guilin, China you can find dog being served in some of the finer restaurants.
If one finds a dead dog in the Northern part of China the dead dog must be thrown into the river never buried. If you bury a dog, it will turn into a demon and seek you out to get back it's life. You were the last to be with the dog so you have become the dog's master. The dog must follow his master.
If you have a dream and a dog bits you, it is believed that the dog represents your ancestors and they want something to eat. If you do not feed them, they will come and disrupt your family, your house and your marriage. Guess you have to keep your in-laws happy even in death you do not part.
In Southern China among the minority peoples, there are folk tales of the dog bring "rice" to mankind. Further west in Southern China the dog brings "millet." The dog as being faithful is very popular, especially in the Guangdong province. There are many folk tales of how a dog guards it master's grave until the dog dies.
There are plenty of stories in Southern China about "dog men" half man, half dog. These dog people have men's bodies and dog's heads.
Dogs in China are never given people's names. The most you read or hear is the "yellow dog". But a "black dog" is the name given to a man that chases and runs after every woman he sees.
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