Chinese Zodiac
3 min readThe twelve zodiac animal signs are，in order:the rat，ox，tiger，rabbit，dragon，snake，horse，sheep（or goat），monkey，rooster，dog，and pig.There are many legends to explain the beginning of the zodiac.One of the most popular explanations reads，in summarized form，as follows:The rat was given the task to invite the animals to report to the Jade Emperor to be selected for the zodiac signs.The cat was a good friend of the rat，but the rat forgot to invite him.So the cat vowed to be the rat’s natural enemy for ages to come.
Another popular legend has it that a race was used to decide the animals to report to the Jade Emperor.All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore.Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side.The cat wondered how he would get cross with his poor eyesight.The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto the ox’s back and guide him across.The ox was so steady and hard working that he did not notice a commotion on his back.In the meanwhile，the rat snuck up behind the unsuspecting catand shoved him into the water.Just as the ox came ashore，the rat jumped off and finished the race first.The lazy pig came to the far shore in the 12th place.And so the rat got the first year named after him，the ox got the second year，and the pig ended up as the last year in the cycle.
The cat finished too late（the 13th）to win any place in the calendar，and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.
Some versions of the tale say that the cattle nominated a water buffalo to represent thembecause he was more proficient in water.The trade was acceptable because both animals are members of the family of bovid.
Another expands the race:the route ran through a forest，over ranges of plains and grasslands，and along a stream，before finally crossing a lake to the destination town.
Yet another variation tells of two different races.The first involved all the animals，in two divisions to avoid the fast animals dominating the top，and the top six in each division would “make the cut”for a second round.This format is rather like the one that the National Football League uses to determine its playoff teams（six from each conference）.
The Chinese zodiac signs are also used by cultures beyond China.For one example，they often appear on Japanese New Year’s cards.The United States Postal Service and those of several other countries issue a”Year of the”postage stamp each year to honor this Chinese heritage.However，those unfamiliar with the use of the Chinese lunar calendar usually just assume that the signs switch over on January 1 of each year.
