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STERLING
SILVER ZODIAC TIGER FOUNTAIN PEN
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 their 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.
The fountain
pens of the Oriental Zodiac collection are endowed with the Montegrappa's
celebrated 18K platinum-plated solid gold nib that ensures smooth
effortless. The hand-made ebonite feed provides a regulated and consistent
ink flow. Each fountain pen features a brass construction piston filling
system for a pleasurable writing experience.
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.
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