2 Quotes & Sayings By Chinese Rhyme

This rhyme first appeared in an 1814 book "The New Family Instructor for the Young" by John Warner Barber. It was later recited by children at Chinese schools. As Chinese was not widely spoken outside of China, the rhyme was probably introduced orally, and not written down until 1831, when it first appeared in print. The rhyme describes the year of the horse, which begins on the day of the new moon of spring (in March or April) and ends on the day before the new moon of autumn (September or October). The following is a translation of this rhyme into English. Translation: One year = one moon Two years = two moons Three years = three moons Four years = four moons Five years = five moons Six years = six moons Seven years = seven moons Eight years = eight moons Nine years = nine moons Ten years = ten moons Eleven years = eleven moons Twelve years = twelve moons