Have you ever wondered about the animals that represent the Chinese zodiac and the story behind their order? The twelve zodiac animals, from the Rat to the Pig, follow a specific sequence rooted in an ancient and fascinating myth.
The most popular tale explaining this order involves the Jade Emperor, a supreme figure in Chinese mythology. Legend says he wished to select twelve animals to serve as his guards. To decide the ranks, he organized a race, summoning all creatures on Earth to compete. The sooner an animal passed through the Heavenly Gate, the higher their position would be in the zodiac cycle.
The race began, and the clever Rat, and diligent Ox started their journey exceptionally early. As they approached a river, the Rat, being small, hopped onto the back of the larger Ox for a ride across. Nearing the Heavenly Gate, the Rat, in a burst of opportunism, jumped off the Ox’s back and dashed ahead to the Emperor’s feet. Thus, the Rat claimed the first position, and the Ox followed in second.
Tiger and Rabbit, both swift and competitive animals, arrived next, securing the third and fourth places respectively. The powerful Tiger, known for its speed and strength, naturally outpaced the Rabbit.
The majestic Dragon, admired for its striking appearance, arrived in fifth place. The Jade Emperor, immediately impressed, declared that the Dragon’s son could take the sixth position. Just then, the Snake slithered forward, claiming the Dragon as its adoptive father, and thus, the Snake was placed sixth.
Horse and Goat arrived together. Kind and modest, they exemplified politeness, each offering the other to go first. Eventually, they were respectfully ranked seventh and eighth.
Monkey, known for its agility, had fallen behind initially. However, using its resourcefulness, it leaped between trees and stones, catching up to finish ninth. The final positions were claimed by Rooster, Dog, and lastly, Pig.
Many people also ask: Why isn’t the Cat included in the Chinese Zodiac? This popular story also explains the cat’s absence. It’s said that the Cat and Rat were actually companions and even started the race together, riding on the Ox’s back. However, in a moment of betrayal, the Rat pushed the Cat into the river. The Cat was swept away by the current and failed to reach the Heavenly Gate in time to earn a zodiac place. This tale also explains the supposed animosity between cats and rats, a rivalry that persists to this day in popular folklore.
While this story is a beloved and widely circulated myth, particularly among Chinese communities, it’s important to remember it’s a narrative created to explain the zodiac. In reality, the selection of these twelve animals for the Chinese zodiac was a deliberate and thoughtful process by ancient Chinese scholars. These animals were chosen because they were closely intertwined with daily life in ancient China or held auspicious meanings within Chinese culture. Understanding this myth provides a fun and memorable way to grasp the order of the Chinese Zodiac, but the true reasons lie in the cultural significance of these animals throughout Chinese history.
