Abstract: Language and culture are interrelated with each other. English and Chinese animal idioms also reflect the cultural disparities. This paper aims to study the origins and cultural differences between Chinese and English animal idioms. This study shows that English and Chinese animal idioms have their own origins respectively, and the cultural differences are reflected in different social aesthetic values, geographical conditions, religious beliefs. 

Key words: animal idioms; cultural connotation; cultural differences 

摘要：语言和文化密切相关，英汉动物习语同样体现着文化差异。本文旨在研究英汉动物习语的来源和文化差异。研究发现，英汉动物习语有着各自不同的来源，而文化差异主要反映在不同的社会审美价值观，地理环境因素，宗教信仰。

关键词：动物习语; 文化内涵; 文化差异

CONTENTS

1.Introduction.1

2.A Comparison of Connotative Meanings of Animal Idioms in English and Chinese.1

  2.1 The Same Animal, the Same Connotation

  2.2 The Same Animals, Different Connotations

  2.3Different Animals, the Same Connotations

3. Origins of Animal Idioms.3

  3.1Origins of Chinese Animal Idioms

    3.1.1Chinese Ancient Fables

    3.1.2Daily Life

    3.1.3 Historical Allusions from Classics

  3.2 Origins of English Animal Idioms

    3.2.1Greek and Roman Mythology and Fables

3.2.2Bible Stories

3.2.3Daily Life

4.Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Animal Idioms.6

4.1Different Social Aesthetic Values

4.2Different Geographical Conditions

  4.3Different Religious Beliefs

5. Conclusions9

Bibliography.10

Acknowledgements11