Chinese Zodiac;The Legend of the Great Race
One of the most famous stories about the Chinese Zodiac is the legend of the Great Race. This tale explains how the twelve animals came to be part of the Zodiac and why they appear in the specific order they do.
The Legend of the Great Race
A long time ago, the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven, decided to hold a race to determine the order of the animals in the Zodiac. He invited all the animals in the kingdom to participate, and the first twelve to cross the finish line would each have a year of the Zodiac named after them.
The Race Begins
On the day of the race, all the animals gathered at the starting line. To reach the finish, they had to cross a vast river, which was the most challenging part of the race. When the race began, the Rat and the Cat, who were good friends, quickly realized that they were not strong swimmers. They came up with a plan to ask the kind and strong Ox for help.
The Ox, being a generous and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them on his back across the river. The Rat and the Cat climbed up, and the Ox started swimming across the river. However, just before they reached the shore, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water and jumped ahead to the finish line, securing the first place. The Ox, who was unaware of the Rat's trickery, finished second.
The Other Animals Arrive
Following the Ox was the Tiger, who swam powerfully through the river but arrived third because the currents were too strong. The Rabbit, who couldn't swim well but was very clever, hopped across on stepping stones and a floating log, securing fourth place.
Next came the Dragon, who could have easily been first, but he had stopped along the way to help some villagers bring rain to their fields and then saw the Rabbit struggling on a log, so he blew a gust of wind to push the Rabbit to shore. For his kindness, the Dragon finished fifth.
The Horse galloped toward the finish line, but just as he was about to cross, the Snake slithered out from under his hooves, startling the Horse and causing him to jump back. The Snake took advantage of the moment and finished in sixth place, with the Horse coming in seventh.
The Goat, Monkey, and Rooster had worked together to build a raft to cross the river. The Goat paddled, the Monkey steered, and the Rooster kept them on course. They arrived at the finish line together, with the Goat finishing eighth, the Monkey ninth, and the Rooster tenth.
The Dog, despite being a strong swimmer, had enjoyed playing in the water too much and finished in eleventh place.
Finally, the Pig, who had gotten hungry during the race and stopped to eat and nap, arrived last, taking the twelfth place.
The Cat's Fate
As for the Cat, he eventually made it to shore but was too late to earn a place in the Zodiac. It is said that this is why cats have never forgiven rats, and to this day, cats chase rats whenever they see them.
The Moral of the Story
This story is more than just a tale of how the Chinese Zodiac came to be. It also reflects the values of wit, perseverance, cooperation, and kindness. Each animal's journey to the finish line teaches a lesson about character and the importance of helping others, even in competition. The story has been passed down through generations and remains an integral part of Chinese culture, explaining the significance of the Zodiac animals and their order.
