© 2016 writtenchinese.com
Brilio.net/en - You might have heard of Chinese horoscope, that its calendar is based on the movement of moon. Each year represented by an animal, and there are 12 animals for 12 years round. On the upcoming February 8 this year we are entering the Year of Monkey, and the whole year would be described as the character of monkey, which is cheerful, fun, joyful and humorous. If you have had difficult times in the past few years, this year you can breathe in fresh air and luck.
Image: writtenchinese.com
But do you know the origin of the 12 animals chosen to represent the years? Check out this tale that made the Chinese Zodiac (shng xio), in order as follows:
Image: writtenchinese.com
Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor (y hung) was preparing his birthday and decided to celebrate it by designating the 12 signs of the zodiac. He made an announcement to all animals on earth that the first twelve who made it to the Gates of Heaven would be made a zodiac respectively.
So all of the animals in the world made their journey to the Gates of Heaven and had to cross a river to get to it. Long time ago, Cat and Rat were good friends and went together. First, they saw the Ox that is crossing the river. They asked him if they could go with him and the good-natured Ox allowed them to ride on his back, so the three of them would arrived together.
Somehow just about when they are approaching the opposite riverbank, Cat suddenly fell off. Apparently Rat had pushed him off and jumped by himself to the ground and made it first to reach the Gate. As his promise, The Jade Emperor made Year of the Rat (sh nin) the first of the zodiac.
Image: writtenchinese.com
Shortly follows, the Year of the Ox (ni nin) became the second zodiac.
Image: writtenchinese.com
Then came Tiger, who had struggled to make his way through the river and successfully pleased the Emperor. Thus the Year of the Tiger (h nin) is the third zodiac.
Image: writtenchinese.com
Rabbit came along next, by hopping on some logs and stones to cross the river because it cannot swim. So the fourth zodiac is the Year of the Rabbit (t nin).
Image: writtenchinese.com
Not only earth animals joined the race. Dragon was interested and flew down to the Gate. Being a kind creature, on his way Dragon saw some animals needed some drink so he made rain for them. That was why he came late and showed up the fifth. The Year of the Dragon (lng nin) became the fifth zodiac.
Image: writtenchinese.com
Horse arrived after, but the sneaky snake suddenly appeared from Horses leg and scared him away. Snake then slithered to the Gate and the sixth zodiac is declared as Year of the Snake (sh nin). Approaching behind him, the Year of the Horse (m nin) became the seventh zodiac.
Image: writtenchinese.com
The next arrival came on a raft, occupied by the goat, monkey and rooster. Unlike their predecessors, they came together and made the Emperor happy to see them in harmony. The next zodiacs are the Year of the Goat (yng nin) for the eighth, the Year of the Monkey (hu nin) for the ninth and Year of the Rooster (j nin) for the tenth zodiacs.
Image: writtenchinese.com
Image: writtenchinese.com
Image: writtenchinese.com
Dog was coming next, walking casually and happy because he had taken bath in the river on his way. The Emperor made the eleventh zodiac as the Year of the Dog (gu nin).
Image: writtenchinese.com
The last to come for the race was Boar. He had eaten and slept on his way, feeling content upon his arrival. Thus the twelfth zodiac belonged to the Year of the Boar (zh nin).
Image: writtenchinese.com
And what happened to Cat?
He could not swim so when Rat pushed him into the river, he was struggling himself to make it to the riverbank but he couldnt make it before Boar get inside the Gate. That is why cats always chase rats, because of their ancestors grudges before the Gate of Heavens.
(brl/tis)
