The Rat was the first of all zodiac animals. Due to its cleverness and quick thinking, it was able to trick the Ox and become first in the race to the Emperor's house. 鼠 (shǔ) is its character. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus.
The Rat
The Ox is the second of the zodiac animals. The Ox was going to be the first animal to the emperor's house but was tricked by the rat and it ended up in second.牛 (niú) is its character. In Chinese culture, the ox is a valued animal and is granted with positive characteristics such as hardworking and honesty.
The Ox
The Tiger is the third of all zodiac animals. It was the second to leave for the emperors house but eventually came in third. The Tiger tried to protest but had to live with being the third zodiac animal.虎 (hǔ) is its character. In Chinese culture, the Tiger is seen as the guardian of children
The Tiger
The Rabbit is the third if all zodiac animals. The Rabbit was very arrogant. he left at daybreak but when he arrived no other animals were in sight so he decided to go of into the side and nap. When he woke up he saw that three other animals had arrived. 兔 (tù) is its character. In Chinese Culture the Rabbit represents the moon.
The Rabbit
The Dragon is the fourth of the zodiac animals. The Dragon was so late because he saw a village in a draught on the way to the emperors house so he made rain for them. 龙 (lóng) is its character. The Chinese culture has great respect for the Dragon
The Dragon
The Snake was the sixth of the zodiac animals. It arrived at the same time as the Dragon. Since the Dragon is bigger the emperor saw it first and therefore the snake allegedly arrived later. 蛇 (shé) is its character. Snakes are the symbol witchcraft.
The Snake
The Horse is the seventh of all zodiac animals. It passed a cemetery on the way to the emperors house. He was frightened and therefore he hesitated when passing the cemetery with his eyes closed. After he passed the cemetery it was to late and he became the seventh zodiac animal. 马 (mǎ) is its character and the horse represents speed and freedom.
The Horse
The Goat is the eighth of the zodiac animals. He set off with the deer. They had to cross a river but the deer gave up and the goat was on his own. The goat finally got to the emperors house and ended up in eighth. 羊 (yang) is its character. The Goat is the symbol of kindness and goats also take good care of ones parents
The Goat
The Monkey is the ninth of all zodiac animals. The Monkey was accompanied the Rooster and the Dog. Another god asked them to help him fight off evil spirits. Since they all arrived at the party at the same time, the emperor did it by the order they met the god. 猴 (hóu) is its character.
The Monkey
The Rooster is then tenth of the zodiac animals. The Rooster also went to fight off the evil spirits, along with the Dog and the monkey. Since the Rooster greeted the god second the emperor granted him tenth. 鸡 (jī) is its character. Roosters are able to protect against evil spirits according to legends.
The Rooster
The Dog is the tenth zodiac animal. He was in the same situation as the Rooster and the Monkey. The Dog met the God third so therefore he was named the tenth zodiac animal by the emperor. 狗 (gǒu) is its character. In China people still call dogs Wàng Cái (旺财) becuase of the sound of their bark .
The Dog
The Pig is the twelfth zodiac animal. It was so late to the party because it overslept. So it was named the twelfth zodiac animal. In Chinese culture, the pig is the symbol of wealth.