The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

A Chinese Legend

This legend explains how the Chinese calendar was created. The Chinese calendar is based on the movements of the moon — a lunar calendar — so each month is one full moon cycle. The calendar also has a 12-year cycle, with each year named after an animal. The Chinese believe that your personality resembles the animal of your birth year.

There are different versions of the zodiac legend, but in this story, the Jade Emperor, one of the Chinese gods, realized that without a calendar, people had trouble keeping track of time. He decided create a calendar where each year was named after an animal. To determine which animal would be first, he held a race. The animal who crossed the big river first would

In the legend, the animals have to cross a wide river. The Yangtze River is one of two major rivers in China. It’s the third-longest in the world and the longest river to flow entirely in one country. Until the 1950s, there weren't many bridges crossing the Yangtze. Most people crossed using a ferry. Here is the bridge over the Yangtze in Nanjing.

The next day, animals set off towards the Heavenly Gate. Rat got up very early. On his way to the gate, he encountered a river. He had to stop there, owing to the swift current. After waiting a long time, Rat noticed Ox about to cross the river and swiftly jumped into Ox's ear.

The diligent Ox did not mind at all and simply continued. After crossing the river, he raced towards the palace of the Jade Emperor. Suddenly, Rat jumped out of Ox's ear and dashed to the feet of the Emperor. Rat won first place and Ox was second.

Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but Tiger was faster. (Rabbit got across the river by hopping on stepping stones and a floating log.)

Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. But Dragon's son didn't come with him that day. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.

Horse and Goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. The Jade Emperor saw how polite they were and ranked them seventh and eighth.

Monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last were Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

These 12 animals became guards of the Heavenly Gate.

Hope you all liked today’s blog…till next time-

SAYONARA!!!!