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Why were there twelve animals in the zodiac calendar and how did the Chinese zodiac order form? In Chinese zodiac history,there are many origins and legends about the zodiac signs, and there are many different opinions in the folk. There is no one who can accurately tell the true origin of the zodiac signs, and no one can be proved to be favorable. Here we will list some legends of Chinese Zodiac.

Legend 1:  The Great Race Story of the Chinese Zodiac

This is the most widespread Chinese zodiac legend. The Jade Emperor (The Emperor in Heaven in Chinese folklore) ordered that animals would be designated as calendar signs and the twelve that arrived first would be selected. On that day, the rat got up very early and very early and rushed to the gathering site. On the way, he encountered the ox that ran much faster.

In order not to fall behind, he thought up a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on condition that he sang for the ox. At last, the ox and rat arrived first. The ox was happy thinking that he would be the first sign of the years, but the rat had already slid in front, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac. That's how did the rat win the race.

Then what is the 12 animals of Chinese zodiac in order? Following Rat, Ox, are Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

About this simple story, there are different editions. Some say it was the Yellow Emperor who intended to select twelve guards. It is also said that cat hope rat could get there early and sign up on behalf, but rat completely forgot it or do that intentionally. Some say the animals were request to have a swimming race, or a simple race. Elephant was said to participate in Chinese zodiac race too, but run away finally because rat got into it trunk.

At that time, the cat and the rat were good friends and neighbors. When they heard of the news that the Jade Emperor were selecting zodiac animals, the cat said to the rat: 'We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.' The rat then promised to awaken his friend and go together. However, on the morning when he got up, he was too excited to recall his promise, and went directly to the gathering place. When the cat finally arrived, the selection was over. That’s why the cat hates the rat so much that every time they meet, the cat will chase and kill it.

Beside the tricks that rat played in  the great race story of the Chinese zodiac, there are other legends about its priority in those animals. In Chinese mythology about the origin of world, the universe was in dark without form like an egg before the earth and heaven was separated. It was the rat that bit a crack and let the air in. He was the hero to start the world. That was to say the importance of him. Another saying goes that his forepaws have four toes and hindpaws have five toes, with both odd and even numbers. For such a special creature among the twelve animals, rat won the first place.

The origin of the zodiac sign was in ancient times. The Emperor Huangdi wanted to choose twelve species of animals in the animal kingdom. As court guards, each animal wanted to serve the court and hope to win the game and get a job! The rat and the cat were very good friends at the beginning. But the rat was afraid that the cat would participate in the meeting, so he did not have the opportunity to choose. Therefore, he deliberately refused to help the cat to sign up.

Legends seem to be strained interpretations because the original intention had been lost over such a long history. Chinese zodiac was related to the Yin Yang, Five Elements theories and other traditional life concepts. Thus it promoted the development of Chinese zodiacal culture. After having fun of reading these stories, we still have to know some facts: it is reliable to believe the zodiac animals started for worship of animals in old times and twelve most important animals in ancient people’s life in was selected to vividly represent the Twelve Earthly Branches (the duodecimal cycle in Chinese calendar). Cat was absent in the name list because there was no cat  in China very long time ago.

Legend 2: An unlikely gathering

The most well-known of the Chinese zodiac legends states that Buddha invited the animals to participate in a race. The prize was a coveted position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The first 12 animals to cross the river would appear on the Chinese Zodiac calendar in the order in which they completed the race.

The first animal to make it across the finish line according to Chinese Zodiac legends and mythology was the rat. It seems unlikely that such a small animal could win such a strenuous race, especially when one considers all the contenders.

Chinese Zodiac legends and mythology explains that the rat used his brain rather than his brawn. It hitched a ride on what it perceived was the mightiest swimmer. Just before the buffalo reached the shore, the rat jumped off the buffalo’s back and crossed the finish line before the buffalo, putting the rat in first place.

The buffalo came in second and as promised in the legends and mythology, was the second animal listed on the Chinese Zodiac. The tiger, also being strong, came in third, followed by the rabbit that jumped his way across and was helped during the last stretch by the dragon. A snake hid in the hoof of the horse which is how it managed to make it across the river. At the last minute the snake jumped out and scared the horse into seventh place.

The sheep, monkey and rooster helped one another across and earned their spots on the calendar as well. The dog made it too, but decided a bath was more important than the position which is why it came in eleventh. Finally, the pig appeared and is listed last. According to Chinese Zodiac legends and mythology, the pig feasted and rested half-way through the race, but made it across guaranteeing its position.

Legends and mythology are a big part of Chinese culture, especially in relation to the Chinese Zodiac. The 12 animals that appear on the Chinese Zodiac calendar include a rat, buffalo (ox), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. It’s an unusual combination of animals for sure, and their appearance on the Chinese Zodiac is the topic of countless legends and is deeply embedded in Chinese mythology.