The Jade Emperor and the Beginning of Time
The story of the Chinese New Year Animals
When introducing time, the Jade Emperor challenged the animals with a
swimming race. He promised them that the first twelve to cross the river would
be awarded by having a year of the zodiac named after them.
Rat, Cat & Ox
As the animals lined the river bank waiting for the race to begin the rat and the cat, who were then good friends, worried about making it across because neither was a strong swimmer. They decided to ask the ox if he would carry them to the other side of the river and he agreed.
As the animals lined the river bank waiting for the race to begin the rat and the cat, who were then good friends, worried about making it across because neither was a strong swimmer. They decided to ask the ox if he would carry them to the other side of the river and he agreed.
Just before they reached the shore the rat pushed the cat off of the ox
and jumped to shore. The rat made it to shore first and the kind ox came in
second. So, the first year of the zodiac is the year of the rat and the second
year is the year of the ox.
Tiger, Rabbit & Dragon
The tiger fought against the river’s strong current, but arrived on shore third. The rabbit, who had hopped from log to log in order to make it across the river, arrive fourth while the winged dragon was the fifth animal to reach the shore.
The tiger fought against the river’s strong current, but arrived on shore third. The rabbit, who had hopped from log to log in order to make it across the river, arrive fourth while the winged dragon was the fifth animal to reach the shore.
The Jade Emperor asked the dragon why he hadn’t arrived fist since he
could both swim and fly. The benevolent dragon explained that he had stopped to
make rain for people who were thirsty and to blow a gentle wind to help a
rabbit who was stranded on a log, make it safely to shore.
Horse & Snake
Just then the sound of horse’s hooves filled the air, but the snake slithered in front of the horse startling him so that he jumped back. The sneaky snake therefore arrived sixth while the horse became the seventh animal of the zodiac.
Just then the sound of horse’s hooves filled the air, but the snake slithered in front of the horse startling him so that he jumped back. The sneaky snake therefore arrived sixth while the horse became the seventh animal of the zodiac.
Goat, Monkey, and Rooster
The next three animals to arrive were the goat, monkey and rooster. These animals had worked together to build a raft which got them safely across the river and to shore.
The next three animals to arrive were the goat, monkey and rooster. These animals had worked together to build a raft which got them safely across the river and to shore.
Dog
The eleventh animal to arrive was the dog. The Jade Emperor was perplexed by this since the dog is such a good swimmer. When asked about this, the dog explained that he had stopped to have a bath.
Bore: Lastly the bore arrived and is the twelfth animal on the zodiac. The bore is said to have been so hungry that he stopped in the middle of the race to eat and then slept off his meal before continuing the race.
The eleventh animal to arrive was the dog. The Jade Emperor was perplexed by this since the dog is such a good swimmer. When asked about this, the dog explained that he had stopped to have a bath.
Bore: Lastly the bore arrived and is the twelfth animal on the zodiac. The bore is said to have been so hungry that he stopped in the middle of the race to eat and then slept off his meal before continuing the race.
Cat
Unfortunately the cat didn’t make it to shore in time to be part of the zodiac. It is said that this is the reason why cats and rats do not like each other to this day.
Unfortunately the cat didn’t make it to shore in time to be part of the zodiac. It is said that this is the reason why cats and rats do not like each other to this day.
Each animal of the Chinese Zodiac possesses specific characteristics used
in the Chinese horoscope.
This is the story behind the Chinese New Year Animals.
Greetings from India. Wishes to your new blog. Nice read. First time reading this story of Chinese New Year Animals.
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