陆建非

在全国政协2020年12月31日举行的新年茶话会上，习近平总书记强调要发扬为民服务孺子牛、创新发展拓荒牛、艰苦奋斗老黄牛的精神，在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上奋勇前进。“三牛精神”的说法既应时应景，又形象生动，顿时在海内外媒体走红，为人们津津乐道。

《新华每日电讯》（Xinhua Everyday Telegraph）2021年1月4日发表“The Spirit of the Ox”（牛的精神）一文，其中引用了习近平总书记首次提出的“三牛精神”：

We must promote the spirit of the ox in serving the people，driving innovative development and working tirelessly.（我们必须发扬为民服务孺子牛、创新发展拓荒牛、艰苦奋斗老黄牛的精神。）

《中国日报》（China Daily）2021年2月11日推出题为“‘Three cattle spiritsteers China to bullish Year of the Ox”（“三牛精神”引领中国进入牛年）的文章，其中提到“三牛精神”时用的是cattle这一集合名词，避免了复数表达的难处：

China is ringing in the Year of the Ox， a new beginning of great significance for both the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China （CPC）that has led the whole nation to overcome many challenges. The new year will also be defined by the “three cattle spirit.”（中国即将迎来牛年，对中国人民和带领整个国家战胜各种挑战的中国共产党而言，这是一个意义非凡的新开端。新的一年也被赋予了“三牛精神”。）

The term first appeared in Chinese President Xi Jinpings speech at a New Years gathering late last December held in Beijing by the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. It was later repeated in his Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Wednesday.（这个词语首次出现是在去年12月底国家主席习近平在全国政协新年茶话会上的讲话中。这一说法后来又出现在周三习近平以中共中央、国务院的名义向全国人民祝福新春的贺词中。）

As the second sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle of a rotating cast of 12 symbolic animals， the ox， known for its stamina and strength， usually signifies steadfastness， tenacity and dependability in traditional Chinese culture.（中国的十二生肖循环由12 个有象征意义的动物按序轮换，牛位列第二，以耐力和力量著称，在中国传统文化中，它通常象征着坚定、坚韧和可靠。）

再看境外媒体的相关报道，同样充满正能量。

《纽约时报》（The New York Times）2021年2月4日刊出一文，题为“Pursuing the Spirit of Niu”（追求牛的精神），记者直接用汉语拼音表示牛，重点诠释了牛的形象和精神：

Niu has been an important force on Chinese farms for thousands of years. Therefore， in Chinese culture， Niu is often used to symbolize a hardworking and trustworthy spirit. There is a famous saying in Chinese-“Although Niu only eats grass， it produces milk”—whichpraises Nius willingness to contribute. In addition， a poem by the 20thcenturyChinese writer Lu Xun brings home Nius attitude of servingwithout complaining： “To a thousand pointing fingers I defy with fiercebrows， and to younglings Id be fain to bow and serve as a Niu.” Niusqualities-no-complaints， trustworthiness， unselfishness， and willingnessto give and serve the people-are exactly the spirit that we should pursuein a time of uncertainty， anxiety， and fear amid the crisis.（几千年来，牛一直是中国农业的重要力量，因此，在中国文化中，牛常被用来表征勤劳守信的精神。……