It is an indispensable good helper in people's productive labor and should be respected; Sheep are docile, symbolizing good luck in ancient times. When people sacrifice their ancestors, they are the first sacrifice, and they are respected for their "kindness of kneeling and nursing". Chickens, dogs and pigs are omnivores. In people's phenomenon, pigs are often associated with laziness and stupidity. Apart from eating and sleeping, they seem to have nothing to do all day, only for "cooking".
Talking about six animals:
As early as in ancient times, according to the needs of their own lives and their understanding of the animal world, ancestors successively chose horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs and pigs for breeding and domestication. After a long period of time, they gradually became domestic animals. In the Exegesis of Three Characters, there is an incisive comment on "these six animals are fed by people". "Cattle can plow fields, and horses can carry heavy loads."
"Chickens can tell the dawn, dogs can keep vigil to prevent accidents, pigs can feast for guests", and "chickens, sheep and pigs are born to prepare for the eaters". Six animals have their own strengths, which provide basic guarantee for people's lives in a distant agricultural society.
Among the six animals, horses, cattle and sheep are herbivores. Horse is an important tool for ancient wars and transportation, and it is also one of the important sources of meat food. Belonging to strategic materials, its importance is self-evident and has always been highly valued by people. The Qin Dynasty promulgated the Law of Stables Garden, "Whoever steals a horse will die, and whoever steals an ox will be given a cangue", which means that the person who steals a horse will be put to death, and the person who steals an ox will be sentenced to cangue punishment. In Niu Geng's era, the ox was burdened with heavy physical labor.