| Joined: | Thu Apr 19th, 2012 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
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It’s a Chinese water margin deer that was exclusively the property of the Emperor, back in the day. The herd was kept inside the Palace grounds until a storm broke down a wall and several escaped….only to be eaten by the starving peasants. The remainder were kept safe until German troops occupied the palace during the Boxer Rebellion….where upon they shot and ate the rest. Except western people ‘acquired’ some before the mass extinction and they ended up in zoos scattered around Europe.
That was until the 11th Duke of Bedford brought them ALL together from the zoos to make a small herd on the Woburn Estate. They prospered there, such that some years later Woburn was able to send quite a number back to China for them to repopulate the species that was sacred to them. “Why sacred”, I hear you ask?
Well in Chinese ancient history there is a story of 4 men who “changed” into 4 animals…a Horse, Donkey, Cow & Deer.
They subsequently morphed into one beast they called the Milu ( which I believe is Chinese for 4 in 1). It then did some negotiating with the gods and brought peace and prosperity to the country….thus it was thence regarded as sacred.
So you can understand the significance of having this venerated animal brought back from the dead.
A statue of the 11th Duke of Bedford was erected …somewhere in China ….to honour his wisdom, actions and generosity.
[If our Chinese members want to correct me on this information …please speak up]
Hands up who knew that?
Well here it is in all its sacred glory with a horse’s head, donkey’s tail, cow’s feet and deer’s antlers.
Click here to comment on this image.
Last edited on Sun Feb 11th, 2024 13:32 by
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Eric