12-animal zodiac shows ancient cultural exchanges between China and Iran: historian

STORY: 12-animal zodiac shows ancient cultural exchanges between China and Iran: historian DATELINE: Jan. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Tehran CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Persian): KOUROSH SALEHI, Historian, International University of Islamic Denominations STORYLINE: An Iranian historian said that the ancient Silk Road led to cultural exchanges between China and Iran, leaving visible marks on today's Iranian cultural tradition, one of which being the 12-animal Zodiac. China will welcome the Year of the Rabbit on Jan. 22 according to its lunar calendar. SOUNDBITE (Persian): KOUROSH SALEHI, Historian, International University of Islamic Denominations "In the Chinese calendar and zodiac, the rabbit is the fourth in the 12-year cycle of animals. The interesting thing that has happened with regard to the Chinese calendar is that throughout the evolution process and history, we see that the concept has entered Iran's culture from China and East Asia. In the present era, we, in Iran, in add

IRAN-TEHRAN-COIN-RABBIT SYMBOL

IRAN-TEHRAN-COIN-RABBIT SYMBOL

(230119) -- TEHRAN, Jan. 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Kourosh Salehi, a historian and international affairs expert at the International University of Islamic Denominations, observes a coin with the rabbit symbol in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 17, 2023. TO GO WITH "Interview: 12-animal Zodiac, three-rabbit symbol show Chinese cultural impact in Iranian history via Silk Road: historian" (Xinhua/Gao Wencheng)