The Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Long ago in ancient China, there was a great race to determine the order of the twelve zodiac signs. The gods decided that the order would be decided by who could cross the river first. The animals that wanted to participate were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
The rat was very cunning and smart. It knew that the ox was very strong and would likely win the race, so the rat had a plan. The rat climbed onto the back of the ox and instructed the ox to take it to the front of the queue. The ox, being kind-hearted and naive, agreed without hesitation.
As the race began, the ox pulled the rat to the front. The rat, feeling safe and secure, fell asleep. When the ox reached the riverbank, it stopped to rest. But to its surprise, the rat woke up and quickly jumped off the ox’s back. The rat then quickly swam across the river and was the first to reach the other side.
The ox, realizing what had happened, chased after the rat but was too late. The rat had already won the race. The gods were impressed by the rat’s cunning and declared it the first sign of the zodiac.
Next was the ox, who was strong and hardworking. The ox had a calm and patient nature, which made it a reliable and loyal companion. The gods honored the ox’s strength and dedication, making it the second sign of the zodiac.
The tiger, known for its bravery and power, was next. The tiger’s boldness and strength earned it the third place in the zodiac.
The rabbit, being gentle and clever, was next. The rabbit’s quick thinking and agility allowed it to win the fourth place.
The dragon, a symbol of power and wisdom, was the fifth sign. The dragon represented the divine and was respected by all.
The snake, with its wisdom and grace, came next. The snake’s ability to adapt and change made it the sixth sign.
The horse, with its speed and grace, was the seventh sign. The horse represented freedom and energy.
The goat, known for its gentleness and kindness, was the eighth sign. The goat’s peaceful nature and willingness to help others made it well-liked.
The monkey, with its playful and intelligent nature, was the ninth sign. The monkey’s curiosity and creativity were admired.
The rooster, with its early rising and loud crowing, was the tenth sign. The rooster represented discipline and hard work.
The dog, loyal and protective, was the eleventh sign. The dog’s unwavering loyalty and sense of duty were honored.
Finally, the pig, known for its honesty and kindness, was the twelfth and last sign of the zodiac. The pig’s generous and optimistic nature made it a beloved animal.
And so, the order of the Chinese zodiac was set, with each animal representing a unique trait and personality that people could embody. The zodiac continues to be a significant part of Chinese culture, influencing everything from personal relationships to business decisions.
