The legend of Chinese Zodiac

• Source: Global Times
• [09:49 February 08 2010]
• Comments

It is said Buddha (the ultimate Emperor for the whole universe in Chinese legend) once called all the animals on the earth together to attend an important meeting. Only twelve animals turned up finally: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. But the twelve animals quarreled to decide who was to head the cycle of years. Then, Buddha asked them to cross a river and whoever reached there first would be the head.

All animals were ready to jump into the river. The rat was quite smart. It jumped upon the back of the ox. When the ox was ready to come ashore, the rat jumped off his back and won the competition. The pig was lazy and ended up finally.

According to the result of the race, each animal represents a year in the cycle and anyone born in that year would resemble the animal in some aspects. Five elements of the planet (Wu Xing) as metal, wood, water, fire and earth are also integrated into Chinese animal Zodiac.