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The
collection
Enchanted by
the mysthique of the oriental world, Montegrappa wishes to pay a tribute to
this millenary culture by dedicating to the Chinese astrology its intriguing
Oriental Zodiac collection.
This series
of writing instruments utilizes our unique hand embellished overlays, a
technique perfected with the introduction of our limited editions. The
outstanding features of Montegrappa writing instruments incorporated with
the hand embellished die-cast overlays creates a unique combination of 3
dimensional art with a perfectly balanced writing instrument, an heirloom to
be cherished now and forever.
Each pen is individually
numbered and is housed in an impressive Chinese style lacquered gift box.
Each instrument comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing
defects.
The oriental zodiac is the
oldest in the world. Like Western astrology, it divides all people into 12
personality types that are identified as animals. Oriental astrology is
rooted firmly in the shifting patterns of the life on earth, the seasons,
the weather, and of course, complex oriental philosophy. The fundamentals of
Eastern wisdom are derived from Taoism, which perceives the universe as an
eternal ebb and flow of the two principles of the male and female, otherwise
known as Yin and Yang, represented by the Sun and the Moon.
The oriental astrology has
five elements that are representations of the five visible planets of old,
Water which is ruled by Mercury, Metal ruled by Venus, Fire ruled by Mars,
Wood ruled by Jupiter and Earth ruled by Saturn.
The Sun and Moon are not
regarded as planets because they are the primal forces of Yin and Yang. All
the 12 oriental signs are governed by the five elements.
Thus the Chinese calendar is
based on a 60-year cycle, considering that each element's sign only appears
every 60 years - calculated by multiplying the 12 signs by the five
elements.
As a result of the Yin-Yang
polarity, each element would manifest itself in either a destructive or
constructive manner.
For instance Fire could burn
your house down or be tamed to light your house and give out warmth as well.
The five elements having been doubled in this fashion are known as the ten
element mothers and they gave birth to 12 children.
These 12
children represent the 12 animals of the oriental zodiac, and in sequence
they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey,
Rooster, Dog and Boar. According to another story, the Buddha asked all the
animals that inhabited the Earth to visit Him to celebrate a Chinese New
Year. Somehow, it seems, His request was not widely circulated and only 12
animals arrived in time for the festivities. In order to honour the animals
that had turned up, He decided it was only fair that they and they alone
should be awarded a year of their own. The oriental astrological system is
based upon lunar cycles. The Chinese year is 12 lunar months. Each lunar
year is ruled by one animal alone.
The Dog
The
Dog is an indigenous animal in ancient Chinese proper. The oldest images of
the Dog were engraved on a bronze vase of the Chou dynasty. The dog is
valued for its fidelity though despised for other purposes and serves as
both guardian and scavenger. The dog is a creature which is naturally
watchful and is skilful in selection of men. The Pekinese dogs were the pets
of the Imperial family as mentioned in the records of the Chou dynasty of
l000BC.
The West regards the useful dog
as a friend and welcomes it into the family circle, but the ancient Chinese
regards it as a burglar alarm and would often chain the Dog outside the
house. It is believed that breeding a black dog with white ears will bring
riches and nobility to one. A yellow dog with white forelegs merely brings
good luck, but a white with a black head brings added riches to good
fortune, while a white dog with a black tail will cause the generations to
ride in chariots (back in the ancient days only members of the royal family,
high officials or wealthy families were worthy to ride in chariots,
Commoners at most only rode horses or worse still rode in the back of
wagons,)
This addition to the Oriental
Zodiac is finished in a special resin in black with the over-lays of a Dog
displaying a stance of a protector and watchdog in Sterling Silver. Made of
Sterling Silver, Montegrappa's signature clip is etched with an oriental
style design, To perfect complement, the rolling sphere on the clip is made
of Onix.
Eleventh in the order of tile
Oriental Zodiacal Animals, the Dog's astrological characteristics are
illustrated in table below.
Astrological
characteristic of the Dog
Order of Animal: 11 th
Time ruled by Dog: 11 th Hour,
Hsu (1900 to 2100)
Month: 11 th Moon Year: 1910,
1922, 1934.1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994.
Season: End of Autumn
Direction: N60W
Western Constellation: Libra
Ruling Planet: Venus
Lucky Gemstone: Diamond
Shade: Yang
Symbol: Wisdom and Loyalty.
Good Points: Most likeable sign
of the Zodiac. Great respect for “Rites”, Moral, Very Honest and
Straight forward, Warm Nature and in General Esteem, Good active worker,
Fighter, Sense of Justice, Intelligent, Intuitive, Good Listener, Clear in
judgement, Generous with a great gift for loyal friends, Likes to protect
the interest of others. His anger is only short and only for your sake,
Bad Points: Not Happy in Love,
Hot Headed. Full of Anxiety.
Others: Better Life if Born in
the Day, Good Friendship owing to flair
to spot hidden Dangers including Ambushes.
Compatible: Horse. Rabbit.
Tiger.
Incompatibility: Rooster, Dragon. Goat.
Dimensions
Total
length (cap closed) : 133 mm (5.2")
Total
length (cap posted behind barrel) : 163 mm (6.4")
Barrel
diameter: 13 mm (0.5")
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