Find Your Inner Ox

Author Jia Li Shen Chi Shibori Murasaka

1. As head of the herd, what kind of leader are you?


   A)  I’ll stop at nothing to achieve my goals

   B)  I’m systematic, flexible and quick thinking
   C)  I’m fair and understanding and open to new ideas
   D)  I’m a dynamic leader and extremely objective...if you stay on my good side
   E) I’m reliable, balanced and sincere and show good jugdement


2. Which of the following would most likely be in your closet?


   A)  Lush velvets in deep rich colors because I have a flare for the dramatic

   B)  Elegant silks and satins because they are precious and feel cool against my skin
   C)  Anything comfy and natural, like cotton, because I don’t have time to fuss
   D)  Durable garments that are easy to move around in outdoors
   E) Anything with sequins – lots of sequins – because I know I can never have too much flash!


3. When your friends talk about you, what do they say is your best quality?


   A)  My intuition

   B)  My ability to think clearly in any situation
   C)  My creativity
   D)  My sensitivity
   E) My spontaneity


4. Name your favorite planet:


   A)  Jupiter

   B)  Mars
   C)  Saturn
   D)  Mercury
   E) Venus


5. You have commissioned the Imperial Court Painter to create a masterpiece for your home. What do you ask her to paint for you?


   A)  An elegant composition of a lonely, twisted pine tree overlooking ancient mountains wringed with mist and clouds

   B)  A charming scene of birds in a bamboo forest
   C)  A wistful scene of the setting sun sinking behind the hills
   D)  A white tiger walking through the snow
   E) A relaxing scene of a half moon bridge over a lily pond


6. You are walking through your garden, looking at your plants. Which appeals to you most?


   A)  The blooming rose bush, because I enjoy its bright color and the fragrance of its flowers

   B)  The apple tree, ripe with fruit, for I enjoy nature’s bounty
   C)  The withering and twisted oak, for I can stand and stare at it for hours, wondering what things its has witnessed during its long life
   D)  The dormant and sleeping lilac bush, because I look forward to its flowering in the spring
   E) The tender young sprouting shoots of my herb garden, because I love to see things healthy and growing


7. You are out walking in the countryside and you come upon a farmer and his ox. The animal has an injured foot and is limping. The farmer is doing his best to take care of his beast of burden. What do you do?


   A)  I praise him for caring while minding him not to overwork his ox and to conserve its strength

   B)  I mutter and walk on, drawing my thoughts inward as I head for the local magistrate to report the fellow for possible mistreatment of animals
   C)  I offer my assistance by holding the ox’s head steady while the man treats his injury
   D)  I talk with him while he tends his ox, helping him to see better ways of caring for his livestock
   E) I fly into him with a lecture and express my annoyance with broad expansive gestures


8. You and your friends are planning a big party to celebrate the Year of the Ox. What is your role?


   A)  I’m the master of logistics, and I manage to book the hippest venue in the city

   B)  I’m the one who designs the invitations and makes the decorations
   C)  I came up with the idea of the party in the first place and am happy to let everyone else do the planning and such
   D)  I’m the one who plans the seating arrangements at the dinner table, so that there will be plenty of good conversation
   E) I’m the one who invites the girl at work who just moved to town, so she will have a chance to meet people and make new friends


9. Which oxtail soup do you serve at the party?


   A)  Nwa Mee Hinga (Burmese oxtail & watercress soup)

   B)  Sop Buntut ( Indonesian oxtail soup)
   C)  Niu Wei Tang (Chinese clear oxtail soup)
   D)  Sokkori Jchim (Korean oxtail soup)
   E) Kare Kare (Philippine oxtail soup with peanut sauce & veggies)


10. You’ve just met your dream date. How do you turn on the charm?


   A)  I play it cool

   B)  I take it one hoof at a time
   C)  I let my dream date take the lead
   D)  Flowers, chocolates, you name it!
   E) I grab the bull by the horns