In the Lunar calendar and Chinese astrology, the years are named for different animals in a 12 year sequence. The cat was too late to be included in the zodiac and, according to the Chinese, is still chasing rats and mice to this day. The ox finished second and was followed by the tiger (who hopped across the river on the backs of other animals), rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Realising the cat was a faster runner and was sure to win, the rat pushed his friend into the river, jumped off the ox as it reached the riverbank and ran to victory. The ox decided to carry the cat and rat on his back and was crossing a river when the rat woke up. They asked the ox, an early riser, to wake them on the morning of the race, but when the sun rose they could not be woken. Legend has it that the cat and the rat, who were friends, decided to help each other. The order was decided by a race between the animals, organised thousands of years ago by the Jade Emperor of China. The Chinese Zodiac is made up of 12 animals arranged in order from the rat through to the pig.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |