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When Gods Take Offense 谁冲犯了太岁爷？

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課文.pdf      繁體中文譯本

Chinese New Year is upon us, and with it come everybody’s high hopes for a prosperous and safe year ahead. ___1___

中国春节即将来临，每个人都希望来年能够富足平安。可是，如果只是因为中国生肖之故，我们触犯了太岁──天庭掌管该年度的大将军──那该怎么办？

Chinese tradition holds that 60 powerful Heavenly Generals are responsible for the well-being of mortals, with one of them being on duty each year. ___2___ In fact, imagine the signs are in a circle, with the dominant animal at 12 o’clock; in any year those at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock are also at risk. ___3___

中国传统认为天上有60位大将军负责掌管人间的祸福，每年由一位轮值。根据这种信仰，主宰每个年度的生肖会和这位监督者相冲突，因而招致厄运。事实上，想象生肖围成一个圆圈，该年度的生肖在12点钟的位置；每年在3点、6点、和9点位置的生肖也会有危险。2009年的太岁神是潘盖（一说潘佐），属牛、羊、狗和龙的人在工作、财务、或家庭和个人事务方面都要谨慎留意。

Thankfully, though, Pan Gai can be appeased through the process of An Tai Sui (安太岁). ___4___ Furthermore, jade charms offer added protection, and General appeasement can even be conducted online! ___5___

所幸透过安太岁的程序便能平抚潘盖大将军。一般在农历正月初九，寺庙会为那些不受大将军眷顾的人举行仪式，为他们的来年祈福。此外，玉佩也可增强保护，而且安太岁甚至可以透过网络来做！无论是透过网络或到寺庙来进行，生肖属牛的各位可能会想试一试。

−by Claire Tyrrell

(A)   According to this belief, the dominant animal sign each year is in conflict with this overseer, and will, therefore, experience bad luck.

(B)   Whether via the Net, or at a temple, the oxen among you might want to give it a try.

(C)   However, what can we do if simply by virtue of our Chinese zodiac sign, we’ve already offended the Tai Sui (太岁) – the Heavenly General in charge of the year?

(D)  In 2009, with Pan Gai (潘盖) as Tai Sui, the ox, goat, dog, and dragon should all be cautious when it comes to work, money matters, or family and personal issues.

(E)   Generally on the 9th of the first lunar month, temples hold rituals for those out of favor with the General, blessing them for the coming year.

Vocabulary

单词发音

take offense （因……）发怒；生气 (+at) to feel, or assume to be, injured or affronted; to become angry or hostile

prosperous [ˋprɑspərəs] adj. 繁荣的，昌盛的

dominant [ˋdɑmənənt] adj. 占优势的，支配的

by virtue of 由于; 凭借

cautious [ˋkɔʃəs] adj. 小心的，谨慎的

More Information

单词发音

upon [əˋpɑn] prep. 接近 imminent for

heavenly [ˋhɛvənlɪ] adj. 天上的; 天国的

general [ˋdʒɛnərəl] n. 将军

mortal [ˋmɔrt!] n. 人，凡人

appease [əˋpiz] v. 平息；缓和；抚慰

jade charm 玉佩

charm [tʃɑrm] n. 链条（或镯子）上的小饰物

conflict [ˋkɑnflɪkt] n. 冲突，抵触

overseer [ˋovɚˋsiɚ] n. 监督者

ox [ɑks] n. 去势公牛，阉牛(名复: oxen)

Chinese zodiac [ˋzodɪ͵æk] sign  生肖

lunar [ˋlunɚ] adj. 阴历的

Answer