Hindus consider the cow to be a
sacred symbol of life, thus protected
and revered. In the Vedas, the oldest
of the Hindu scriptures, the cow is
associated with Aditi, the mother of
all the gods.

Many of today’s skills, traditions, and
ways of working with cattle are very
much rooted in the Mexican vaquero.
Vaqueros were proverbial cowboys-
rough, hard-working mestizos who
were hired by the criollo caballeros to
drive cattle. Vaquero is a transliteration
of the words 'cow' and 'man.'

Bulls were a central theme in the
Minoan civilization, with bull heads
and bull horns used as symbols in the
Knossos palace. Minoan frescoes and
ceramics depict bull-leaping, in which
participants of both sexes vaulted
over bulls by grasping their horns.

Bullfights are very popular spectacles
in Spain, though perhaps nowadays the
craze has died down a bit due to contrasting
public opinions. Some see it as an art form,
as it takes a skillful individual to avoid being
gored and doing so with a certain degree of
grace. Others view the controversial sport as
an example of animal cruelty.

American bull riding has been
called "the most dangerous eight
seconds in sports." To receive a
score, the rider must stay on top of
the bull for eight seconds with the
use of one hand gripped on a bull
rope tied behind the bull's forelegs.

In Chinese culture, oxen are symbols
of wealth, prosperity, diligence, and
perseverance. If you somehow encounter
a cow, the Chinese believe that it is an
auspicious sign signifying that wealth
opportunities will soon arrive.