According to legend, the Jade Emperor, a powerful deity in Chinese mythology, wanted to create a calendar to measure time. He decided that the years would be named after animals, and invited all the animals to gather before him.
The Great Animal Race
The clever rat, wanting to ensure a good spot, befriended the ox and convinced him to let him ride on his back. As they approached the gathering, the rat jumped off the ox’s back and ran ahead, becoming the first animal to arrive. The ox, being honest and diligent, came in second.
The other animals arrived in the following order:
1. 🐀 Rat
2. 🐂 Ox
3. 🐅 Tiger
4. 🐇 Rabbit
5. 🐉 Dragon
6. 🐍 Snake
7. 🐎 Horse
8. 🐐 Goat
9. 🐒 Monkey
10. 🐓 Rooster
11. 🐕 Dog
12. 🐖 Pig
The 12 Animal Signs and Their Traits
Each animal sign is associated with certain characteristics and traits, which are believed to influence the personalities and destinies of people born in those years. Here’s a brief overview:
1. 🐀 Rat: clever, resourceful, and adaptable
2. 🐂 Ox: diligent, honest, and strong-willed
3. 🐅 Tiger: confident, passionate, and adventurous
4. 🐇 Rabbit: gentle, sensitive, and compassionate
5. 🐉 Dragon: charismatic, confident, and powerful
6. 🐍 Snake: mysterious, intuitive, and wise
7. 🐎 Horse: energetic, independent, and free-spirited
8. 🐐 Goat: creative, gentle, and determined
9. 🐒 Monkey: clever, agile, and quick-witted
10. 🐓 Rooster: confident, proud, and punctual
11. 🐕 Dog: loyal, honest, and protective
12. 🐖 Pig: kind, gentle, and optimistic
The Cycle of the 12 Animal Signs
The 12 animal signs repeat in a cycle, with each sign representing a year in a 12-year cycle. This cycle has been used for centuries in Chinese culture to determine personality traits, predict fortunes, and guide important life decisions.
