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According to the lunar calendar, each year is named after a combination of a heavenly stem and an earthly branch representing one of the zodiac animals in order. Do you know why this order exists? Each age has different horoscopes and personalities. Let's explore more about the 12 zodiac animals with Mytour Blog in the article below!
What are the 12 zodiac animals?
The 12 zodiac animals are the names of 12 animals marked in order from 1 to 12, representing each year: Rat (Rat), Ox (Buffalo), Tiger (Tiger), Cat (Cat), Dragon (Dragon), Snake (Snake), Horse (Horse), Goat (Goat), Monkey (Monkey), Rooster (Rooster), Dog (Dog), Pig (Pig).
The 12 zodiac animals are marked in order from 1 to 12 (Source: Mytour)Explore the legend of the 12 zodiac animals
In ancient times, the Jade Emperor was in charge of heavenly matters, so those who wanted to find an animal to replace him in ruling the earthly realm named the years after that animal. Therefore, the king summoned various animals to discuss.
The Dragon, with its majestic appearance and large wings, glittering scales, and impressive mane, believed it deserved the most beautiful name and the top position. However, the Dragon thought it lacked something on its head, so it decided to borrow majestic horns from the Rooster. At that moment, the Dragon approached the Rooster and asked to borrow its golden horns. Although the Rooster disagreed, the Dragon insisted that those horns were not suitable for the Rooster. Meanwhile, the Snake overheard the Dragon's persuasion and assured the Rooster. After a while, the Rooster agreed to lend them.
The next day, all 12 animals gathered in full force at the heavenly court, where the Jade Emperor declared: 'From now on, each year will be named after an animal, and as for the order, we'll let you decide.'
At that moment, everyone competed for the top position, so the Jade Emperor had to adjudicate. The largest animal would take the lead, hence the Ox was chosen. However, the Rat objected, saying: 'Then am I not larger than the Ox? People always say 'such a big fat Rat!' which means I'm bigger than the Ox.'
The Jade Emperor deliberated for a while, and the Rooster, Cat, and Dog suggested a human verification for the most rational decision. They all went to a place where they saw the Ox and exclaimed, 'Wow, the Ox is huge!' Just then, the Rat cleverly climbed on top of the Ox, and everyone shouted, 'Oh, the Rat is so big and fat!' Hearing this, the Jade Emperor decided to arrange the order of the years starting from the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
Explore the legend of the 12 zodiac animals (Source: Mytour)The Legend of the Exciting Race of the 12 Zodiac Animals
According to a Han legend, the story of the 12 zodiac animals is connected to a race. Long ago, the Jade Emperor wanted to find animals to take turns ruling the earthly realm. They decided to organize a race for 12 animals, with each year named after the winning animal and the first place going to the one that reached the finish line first.
The next day, the Rat woke up early and started the race towards the heavenly gate. While crossing a swiftly flowing river, unsure of how to cross, the Rat saw the Ox appear. The clever Rat quickly jumped onto the Ox's ear without its notice. As they approached the finish line, the Rat jumped down, sprinted to the finish line, and secured first place, followed by the Ox in second and the Tiger in third.
Although the Rabbit could run quite fast, its unfamiliarity with the terrain led it to come in fourth. Next to finish was the Dragon, despite having the advantage of flying speed, it stopped to help extinguish a village fire and arrived later.
Following them were the Snake and the Horse, securing the 6th and 7th positions respectively. As they crossed the river, the Goat, Rooster, and Monkey graciously let each other go ahead, resulting in the Goat taking the 8th place, followed by the Monkey at 9th and the Rooster at 10th. The Dog arrived last in 12th place, as it got distracted by chasing and playing. While the Pig didn't run slow, its love for food and sleep made it arrive last.
The Fascinating Legend of the Zodiac Animal Race (Source: Mytour)Explore the Horoscope and Personalities of the 12 Zodiac Animals in 2023
Each zodiac animal carries unique personality traits and fortune for the year 2023. Dive deeper into the characteristics of the 12 zodiac animals in the article below.
Year of the Rat
The Year of the Rat, symbolizing the mouse, marks the beginning of the 12 zodiac animals. In Feng Shui, the mouse represents auspicious beginnings, bringing fortune to the household. Astrologically, individuals born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their intelligent, sharp minds and ability to seize opportunities. They possess positive energy, agility, and remain composed in all situations. However, their weaknesses lie in lack of courage and poor adaptability.
The Mouse represents auspicious beginnings and favorable starts (Source: Mytour)Year of the Ox
Individuals born in the Year of the Ox, symbolized by the diligent buffalo, represent prosperity and abundance. They are known for their steadfast, hardworking, sincere, and straightforward nature. They possess developmental thinking, albeit a bit slow, but compensate with diligence. However, these traits sometimes make them rigid, stubborn, and subject to disdain.
The buffalo is the most diligent animal among the 12 zodiac animals (Source: Mytour)Year of the Tiger
The Year of the Tiger (Year of the Tiger), symbolizing the lord of the mountains and forests, is characterized by strength and power. Additionally, those born under the tiger sign are adventurous, dynamic, and adaptable. However, their weaknesses include a quick temper, irritability, and a significant ego.
The Tiger is the lord of the mountains and forests, symbolizing strength and power (Source: Mytour)Year of the Cat
In Vietnam, the Year of the Cat is represented by the cat, while in countries like China, Korea, and Japan, it is represented by the rabbit. According to feng shui, the cat symbolizes development, prosperity, and survival. The year 2023 is the Year of the Cat - a year of hope. People born in the Year of the Cat are often agile, quick-witted, and adept at seizing opportunities for success. Additionally, they possess many talents and are prudent and cautious in decision-making.
The Cat is a symbol of development, prosperity, and survival (Source: Mytour)Year of the Dragon
The Year of the Dragon represents authority and power in Eastern beliefs. Individuals born in this year often have a voice in society, are intelligent, and are highly respected. The most prominent traits of the dragon are its dynamism, enthusiasm, and honesty, albeit sometimes being stubborn and headstrong.
The Dragon symbolizes authority, having a voice (Source: Mytour)Year of the Snake
Year of the Snake
Individuals born in the Year of the Snake often appear aloof and difficult to approach, but deep inside, they exude wisdom and intelligence. The image of 'shedding skin' symbolizes renewal, hence people of this year also possess openness, adaptability, and have many relationships. However, they can also be quick-tempered and conservative.The Snake symbolizes coldness and irritability (Source: Mytour)
Year of the Horse
The Horse represents prosperity and success (Source: Mytour)Year of the Goat
People born in the Year of the Goat are described as gentle, timid, with poor communication skills, so they are not suitable for jobs related to public relations and sales. In feng shui, a goat statue brings wealth and prosperity to the homeowner. However, they belong to the type of people who are very independent, cautious, calm, and have a compassionate heart, so they are also very popular.
Individuals born in the Year of the Goat are very independent, cautious, calm, and compassionate (Source: Mytour)Year of the Rooster
Monkeys are known for being agile, mischievous, and intelligent. Those born in the Year of the Rooster often have cheerful, sociable, creative personalities, and problem-solving skills. In feng shui, the monkey symbolizes authority, wisdom, and prosperity. Their flaw is often talking too much, which can make others uncomfortable and resentful.
The Monkey symbolizes wisdom, agility, and authority (Source: Mytour)Year of the Rooster
The symbol of the Year of the Rooster is the chicken, the earliest riser and the alarm clock for a new day. Those born in the Year of the Rooster are known for their diligence, hard work, sharp intelligence, and lively personality, making them successful in business. Additionally, they cherish freedom and dislike constraints, often prone to distraction and losing direction.
The Rooster is the earliest riser and the alarm clock for a new day (Source: Mytour)Year of the Dog
Dogs are beloved pets for their friendliness and loyalty, traits that also define those born in the Year of the Dog. They are responsible, reliable, affectionate, and kind-hearted individuals, earning the admiration of many. However, they struggle with communication, expressiveness, and sharing their personal thoughts.
The Dog symbolizes loyalty and friendliness (Source: Mytour)Year of the Pig
In the zodiac, the Pig is seen as a symbol of wealth, comfort, and happiness. Earth pigs are often used for saving and storing money, bringing luck. Additionally, those born in the Year of the Pig are known for their generosity, kindness, and diligence, but they can be stubborn, hot-tempered, and easily deceived.
The Pig is seen as a symbol of wealth and comfort (Source: Mytour)Frequently Asked Questions
The order of the 12 zodiac signs is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
According to the legend of the 12 zodiac signs, the cat and the rat were originally neighbors, but the cat, being larger in size, bullied the rat. Before the day of the race organized by the king, the cat made the rat wake it up, but the next day the rat got its revenge by leaving early, causing the cat to oversleep. Since then, these two animals hold a grudge against each other.
According to Chinese mythology, the universe was initially just an egg without light. Thanks to its sharp teeth, the rat bit open the universe and found light. Therefore, the rat is considered a world-saving hero, hence its first position.
Similarly, because of a legend, the rooster lent its horns to the dragon to participate in a race, but when the rooster asked for them back, the dragon refused. Being smaller in size compared to the dragon, the rooster couldn't do anything. Every day, the rooster crows to remind the dragon to return its horns.
Each zodiac sign represents an animal as well as the characteristics of an individual with various meanings. Hopefully, through Mytour's introduction of the 12 zodiac signs, you will understand more about the legends and characteristics of the zodiac signs. If you want to learn more useful information, please follow and regularly update the latest news from us!
