Chinese Zodiac① Culture 中国生肖文化

   The Chinese zodiac consists of a twelve-year cycle, with each year corresponding to one of the twelve earthly branches and represented by a different animal. Similar to the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, animals in Chinese zodiac were also created for counting years.

   The year in which a person is born is equated with one of these twelve “animal years”. The Chinese terms for the twelve “animal years” of the Chinese zodiac may be translated as “birth-year categories”, indicating that people’s characters are determined to some extent by the year of their birth. The Chinese zodiac has always been very important to the Chinese people, particularly the personal characteristics associate with each of the animal years. 

   The selection and order of the animals that influence people’s lives very much were originated in the Han Dynasty and based upon each animal’s character and living habits. The old-time division was mostly related to number 12: one year has 12 months, one day has 12 time periods (shi chen). 

   Numerous legends and customs concerning the animal years have arisen over the ages, indicating the Chinese imagination and exploration of the human condition. Each of the twelve years of the Chinese zodiac cycle is named after a different animal. There is an old Chinese story concerning the origins of the animal years. 

The ancient folk story tells that Cat and Rat were the worst swimmers in the animal kingdom. Although they were poor swimmers, they were both quite intelligent. To get to the meeting called by the Jade Emperor to serve as his bodyguards, they had to cross a river to reach the meeting place. The Jade Emperor had also decreed(命令) that the years on the calendar would be named for each animal in the order they arrived at the meeting. Cat and Rat decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river was to hop on the back of Ox. Ox, being naive and good-natured, agreed to carry them both across. Midway across the river, Rat pushed Cat into the water. Then as Ox neared the other side of the river, Rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first. So he claimed first place in the competition and the zodiac.

Following closely behind was a strong Ox who was named the 2nd animal in the zodiac. After Ox, came Tiger, panting(气喘吁吁), while explaining to the Jade Emperor how difficult it was to cross the river with the heavy currents pushing it downstream all the time. But with its powerful strength, Tiger made to shore and was named the 3rd animal in the cycle.

Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping(捶击) sound, and the Rabbit arrived. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it almost lost the race, but the Rabbit was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed him to shore. For that, it became the 4th animal in the Zodiac cycle. In 5th place was the Flying Dragon. Of course, the Jade Emperor was deeply curious as to why a swift flying creature such as the Dragon should fail to reach the first place. The mighty Dragon explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, and therefore he was held back. Then, on his way to the finish, he saw a little helpless Rabbit clinging onto a log so he did a good deed and gave a puff of breath to the poor creature so that it could land on the shore. The Jade Emperor was very pleased with the actions of the Dragon, and he was added to the zodiac cycle. As soon as he had done so, a galloping(疾驰) sound was heard, and the Horse appeared. Hidden on the Horse’s hoof was the Snake, whose sudden appearance gave the Horse a fright, thus making it fall back and giving the Snake the 6th spot, while the Horse placed 7th.

Not long after that, a little distance away, the Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to where they are. The Rooster spotted a raft(木排), and took the other two animals with it. Together, the Sheep and the Monkey cleared the weeds, tugged and pulled and finally got the raft to the shore. Because of their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the Sheep as the 8th creature, the Monkey as the 9th, and the Rooster the 10th.

The 11th animal was the Dog. Although he was supposed to be the best swimmer, he could not resist the temptation to play a little longer in the river. Though his explanation for being late was because he needed a good bath after a long spell(一段时间). For that, he almost didn’t make it to the finish line. Just as the Jade Emperor was about to call it a day, oink(哼哼叫) and squeal(尖叫) was heard from a little Pig. The Pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast and then fell asleep. After the nap, the Pig continued the race and was named the 12th animal of the zodiac cycle. The Cat drowned in 13th place and did not make it in the zodiac. It is said that that is the reason why Cats always chase Rats; to get back at them for what they have done.

The 12 animals for the Chinese zodiac must have been developed in the early stage of Chinese civilization for hundreds of years until it becomes the current edition, and it’s very hard to investigate the real origin. Most historians agree that Cat is not on the list since the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac were formed before Cats were introduced to China from India with Buddhism.

                                                            Abridged and revised from

                               http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/

Notes:

①Chinese zodiac: 生肖。Zodiac, 黄道十二宫图，黄道带。十二地支对应十二生肖——子鼠、丑牛、寅虎、卯兔、辰龙、巳蛇、午马、未羊、申猴、酉鸡、戌狗、亥猪。