Bovidae in Chinese mythology

All bovids have the similar basic form - a snout with a blunt end, a pair of horns (generally present on males) immediately after the oval or pointed ears, a distinct neck and limbs, and a tail varying in length and bushiness among the species.

The size and shape of the horns vary greatly, but the basic structure is always a pair of simple bony protrusions without branches, often having a spiral, twisted or fluted form, each covered in a permanent sheath of keratin.

Several species have been domesticated, and used for food, pulling loads, hides, wool, brush hair, and other purposes, including medicinal.

The biological subfamily Bovinae includes a diverse group of genera of medium to large-sized ungulates, of which those found in China historically include domestic cattle of the genus Bos (with Bos taurus predominating in the north of China), the water buffalo (genus Bubalus, mostly in the south), the yak (mostly in west, in the Himalayan mountains and other elevated terrain), and various antelopes (some now extinct).

The taxonomy of the members of the group is somewhat uncertain, and they may be classified into loose tribes rather than formal subgroups.

However, general characteristics include cloven hoofs and that most species have true horns, at least in the case of males.

One type of bovid is the bovine, or subfamily Bovinae, more commonly known as "oxen", "cows", "beef cattle", "calves", "buffalo".

In some cases, Chinese myths focus on oxen-related subjects, such as plowing and agriculture or ox-powered carriage.

Sheep and goats are not necessarily traditionally distinguished, in Chinese languages, with one word serving to denominate both.

[2] Goats/Sheep are the eighth animal of the Chinese zodiac, and a symbol of filial piety, as the lambs are thought to kneel while their mothers suckle them (Eberhard: 264, sub "Sheep").

Oxherding pictures, No. 6
Number six of a series of ten images , generally known in English as the Ox-herding (or Bull-herding) pictures, by the 15th century Japanese Rinzai Zen monk Tenshō Shūbun . They are said to be copies of originals, now lost, traditionally attributed to Kuòān Shīyuǎn [廓庵師遠], or Kakuan Shien), a 12th-century Chinese Chan Buddhist (Zen) Master.
VM 5234 Shennongjia - goats south of Muyu, Hubei, China
Gazella picticaudata , from The Book of Antelopes (1894)
Picture of European bison -like bovid, in silhouette. Above is the Chinese character for "ox" ("cow", "buffalo", and so on).
A zodiacal goat, with the Chinese character yang , meaning "goat" ("sheep" and so on).