CHINESE ZODIAC PIPE
THE TWELVE ANIMALS
In Chinese astrology, there are twelve animals representing
twelve different types of characters or personalities. The Zodiac animals are,
in successive order, the rat (or mouse), ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake,
horse, sheep (or ram or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Thus, it is the
tiger, which is the third animal in each twelve-year calendar cycle.
Different stories and versions exist that explain why it is
those animals that are represented. One legend tells that a race was used to
decide on the animals that were to report to the Jade Emperor.
The cat and the rat were the worst swimmers in the animal
kingdom. Although bad swimmers, they were both intelligent. They decided that
the best and fastest way to cross the river was to hop on the back of the ox.
The ox, being a naïve and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them across.
However, overcome with a fierce competitiveness, the rat decided that in order
to win, it must do something and promptly pushed the cat into the river. Because
of this, the cat has never forgiven the rat, and hates the water as well. After
the ox had crossed the river, the rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first,
and it claimed first place in the competition.
Following closely behind was the strong ox, and it was named the
2nd animal in the zodiac. After the ox, came the tiger, panting, while
explaining to the Emperor just how difficult it was to cross the river with the
heavy currents pushing it downstream all the time. But with powerful strength,
it made it to shore and was named the 3rd animal in the cycle.
Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping sound, and the rabbit
arrived. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to
another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it almost lost the race but the
rabbit was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed him to
shore. So, it became the 4th animal in the zodiac cycle.
Coming in 5th place was the dragon, flying and belching fire
into the air. Of course, the Emperor was deeply curious as to why a strong and
flying creature such as the dragon should fail to reach first. The mighty dragon
explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures
of the earth, and therefore he was held back a little. Then, on his way to the
finish line, he saw a little helpless rabbit clinging on to a log so he did a
good deed and gave a puff of breath to the poor creature so that it could land
on the shore. The Emperor was very pleased with the actions of the dragon, and
he was added into the zodiac cycle.
As soon as he had done so, a galloping sound was heard, and the
horse appeared. Hidden on the horse's hoof is the snake, whose sudden appearance
gave the horse a fright, thus making it to fall back and gave the snake 6th spot
while the horse took the 7th.
Not long after that, a little distance away, the ram, monkey and
rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to
where they are. The rooster spotted a raft, and took the other two animals with
it. Together, the ram and the monkey cleared the weeds, tugged and pulled and
finally got the raft to the shore. Because of their combined efforts, the
Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the ram as the 8th creature, the
monkey as the 9th, and the rooster the 10th.
The 11th animal is the dog. His explanation for being late -
although he was supposed to be the best swimmer amongst the rest - was that he
needed a good bath after a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was
too big a temptation. For that, he almost didn't make it to the finish
line.
Just as the Emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and
squeal was heard from a little pig. The pig got hungry during the race, promptly
stopped for a feast and then fell asleep. After the nap, the pig continued the
race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle. The cat
finished too late (thirteenth) to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be
the enemy of the rat forevermore.
THE LIMITED EDITION PIP
‘YEAR OF THE
TIGER’
Specially manufactured to celebrate the 3rd year of the 12-year
cycle in the Chinese calendar on 14th February 2009, the limited edition pipe
‘Year of the Tiger’ is the third in a series of pipes that represent the Chinese
Zodiac signs.
This year’s pipe is a classic County Billiard in Group 5 (5103)
with a hand-cut black Cumberland tapered mouthpiece that bears the famous White
Spot. The County finish, with its golden and black colour tones, resembles the
colour pattern of the tiger.
Each pipe is fitted with a 10mm Sterling Silver band engraved
with the zodiac sign of a tiger and is supplied with a specially manufactured
soft leather case, which is not available otherwise.
This edition is nominally limited to only 188 pieces worldwide
in County finish. Since all numbers containing the digit ‘4’ pipe have been
excluded (‘4’ stands for death in various Asian countries), there are actually
only 151 pipes being manufactured, of which only 150 pieces will be offered for
sale. The edition number ‘1’will be kept in the White Spot archive.
Worldwide launch January 2010.
FEATURES BENEFITS
Subject ‘Chinese Zodiac’ Linked to astrology,
with special appeal to Asian markets.
Pipe shape Billiard, most classic and iconic of
all White Spot shapes.
County Finish Sandblast finish with smoother
surface through special treatment.- Its golden colour contrasted by black
stripes and spots resembles the tiger’s colour pattern
Cumberland mouthpiece Traditional hand-cut
taper mouthpiece, individually manufactured & fitted for each single
pipe.
Size Gr. 5 - large size
10mm Sterling silver band Engraved with image
of the tiger
Leather Pouch Complementary soft lamb-nappa
pouch with tiger embossing; pouch is not sold as individual
product.
Limited Edition Exclusive & collectable.
Although stamped up to 188, only 151 pipes in this finish will
be manufactured, of which only 150 units will be offered for
sale.
Certificate Individually numbered between 1 to
188 (omitting all numbers containing a ‘4’).
Copyright © 2010 by TECON GmbH
mit
freundlicher Unterstützung von Alfred Dunhill LTD. London |
