Korean Animals and the Zodiac

Korea’s LandscapeBefore we learn about Korean animals and

the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, let’s look at Korea’s landscape and environment

This will help you understand why Korea has these certain animals and why the Chinese Zodiac is important in Korea

Korea’s LandscapeKorea is a peninsula

with many mountains and hills

It is very cold in winter, and hot and humid in the summer.

The Korean peninsula borders China

Much of Korea’s culture, language, and society is influenced by China

Animals Native to KoreaJindo dogBaikal tealFlying squirrelsSika deer Siberian tigerWhale

Jindo DogThese dogs were bred for

huntingThey originally came from

Jindo IslandThey are famous for being

brave and loyal

Baikal TealThis is a unique species of duck that breeds in Russia, and migrates to Korea and other countries in wintertime

Unfortunately, this is an endangered animal because many people like to eat them

Flying Squirrels These squirrels can glide from tree to tree

They primarily live in forest or other heavily wooded areas

They are nocturnal and quite shy

Sika DeerThis deer has a wide range: from Vietnam to

Japan, many hundreds of miles Sika deer keep their spots throughout their

life, unlike other species of deerThey are primarily nocturnal

Siberian TigerSiberian tigers used to live in China, Korea, and Russia

However, decades of war and urban development have severely hindered their range

Tigers have not been seen in the wild in Korea for many years, although it is rumored that there are some tigers living in the border area between North and South Korea

WhaleMany whales, such as humpbacks, porpoises, and gray whales live off the coast of Korea.

Whales are threatened by the whaling industry

Whale hunting is illegal, but there are restaurants in Korea that continue to serve whale meat

Chinese Zodiac

Chinese Zodiac12 animal signs, in a 12 year cycleEach animal sign corresponds with a year

(more or less)Which year were you born in?

Year of the RatFebruary 19, 1996 – February 6, 1997Expressive and talkativeLike to go to partiesHonest and quick-witted

Year of the OxFebruary 7, 1997 – January 27, 1998Hard working and persistentThey are very observantStubborn and dogmatic

Year of the TigerJanuary 28, 1998 – February 15, 1999

Born leadersUnpredictable, but difficult

to resistSensitive and emotionalMr. Snyder was born in the

Year of the Tiger

Year of the RabbitFebruary 16, 1999 – February 4, 2000Kind and sweetArtistic and have good tastePopular, but pessimistic

Year of the DragonFebruary 5, 2000 – January 23, 2001Gifted with power and luckAggressive and determinedEnthusiastic and intelligentWe are now in the Year of the

Dragon

Year of the SnakeJanuary 24, 2001 – February 11, 2002Charming and popularUsually have excellent mannersIntellectual and cerebral

Year of the HorseFebruary 12, 2002 – January 31, 2003Active and energeticQuick-witted and cunningHot-blooded and impatient

Year of the GoatFebruary 1, 2003 – January 21, 2004Elegant, charming, and creativeShy in confrontationsIndecisive and dreamers

Year of the MonkeyJanuary 22, 2004 – February 8, 2005

Fun, cheerful, and energeticSociable and always center of

attentionIn love with food

Year of the RoosterFebruary 9, 2005 – January 28, 2006

Observant and straightforwardCautious and skepticalConscious of clothing and

appearanceMs. Lee was born in the Year

ofthe Rooster

Year of the DogJanuary 29, 2006 – February 17, 2007Honest and faithfulSense of dutyCan be judgmental and picky

Year of the PigFebruary 18, 2007 – February 6, 2008Sincere, tolerant, and honorableEasy to fool and take advantage ofThey make great friends

Paper craftLet’s make some craftsKorean paper crafts are called Jongijeobgi 종이접기

Paper Whale