Chinese Zodiac Signs

The Chinese believe strongly in mythology and legends. Many legends surround the inclusion of these diverse animals in the Chinese zodiac and in that particular order. Accordingly, they have this legend behind the Chinese Year. One legends tell that in early times there was no way to mark the times. So, during his reign Lord Buddha decided to call all animals to participate in a race.

The prize was that they would have their positions in the annual calendar in the sequence in which they completed the race. Only the above mentioned twelve animals came. The race started. With the prize in focus, each used their brains, their brawn or their craftiness.

Interestingly, the rat, though smallest amongst the twelve, emerged a winner. It climbed on the buffalo which was leading the race. When the buffalo reached the other river bank, it immediately jumped off the buffalo's back and reached the finish line first. The buffalo came second. The tiger, a good swimmer came in third. The rabbit jumped from one stone to the other on a floating log of wood.

The dragon helped the rabbit to reach the other side of the river bank, and so the dragon came in fifth. The snake craftily hid in the hoof of the horse which therefore came in seventh. The rooster, monkey and the goat helped each other across the river and got the position in sequence in which they ended the race.