The Chinese Zodiac What Animal Are YOU
Just like in Western astrology the Chinese Zodiac can be used to predict your future - read on to see what Chinese Zodiac sign you were born under and if you have any of the characteristics of your sign!
The Chinese Zodiac assigns animals to each year, unlike the common Western Zodiac that runs from month to month. Each year belongs to a certain animal and people born in that year are considered to be endowed with certain abilities, good and bad, of that animal.
The legend behind these creatures is that the Jade Emperor decided to hold a great holiday on his birthday and a contest for the animals in his domain. He challenged the animals to race across a fast-flowing river with the winner being the first to walk ashore.
Quickly alliances were built between the different creatures, with the cat and rat convincing the ox to carry them - since neither the cat nor the rat were good swimmers and would probably drown. The pair promised the ox that in exchange for his help they would allow him to set foot first on the land and win the race; allowing the cat and rat to at least keep their dignity. The ox, being good-natured and more than a little gullible, agreed to the deal.
Halfway across the river the cat and the rat began to fight on the back of the ox; with the cat finally being pushed into the river by the rat - thus the exclusion of the cat from the Zodiac and the ongoing hatred between cats and rats to this day. As the ox approached the shore the rat broke their agreement and jumped onto solid ground, securing the first place in the Zodiac with the good-natured ox plodding ashore and taking second place without any ill will towards the rat.
Third place in the Zodiac went to the tiger who struggled across the river, finally dragging himself ashore to the delight of the Emperor.
The rabbit, knowing he was not a strong swimmer, sought out stepping stones and logs, finally finding himself aboard a floating log that drifted quickly towards shore, securing him the fourth spot.
The Emperor noticed the dragon arriving safe and secure, having flown across the river without problem. Frowning, he asked the dragon why he had not come in first since the dragon could fly and did not have to worry about the water. The dragon responded that he had been in the air and spotted a rabbit stranded on a floating log in the river and had paused to give a mighty puff of air, pushing the log to shore ahead of the dragon. This impressed the Jade Emperor greatly.
As the horse emerged from the river and was about to place his hoof on the ground and secure his place in the Zodiac a snake suddenly appeared from between his hooves; startling the creature and forcing him back into the river. The snake took the sixth place and the horse the seventh due to this event.
The next three spots were achieved through a group effort. The sheep, the monkey and the rooster agreed to work together to cross the river. The rooster flew up and down the length of the riverbank until he spotted an old raft lying on the shoreline. The sheep and monkey worked hard to free it from the tangled weeds and repair it; the sheep biting through the long weeds and the monkey using his hands to weave patches for the holes. Finally the three crossed the river as a team. The Emperor announced the sheep would be the eighth sign, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth animal in the Zodiac.
Next to arrive on the opposite shore was the dog. The Emperor asked why the dog had been so long in crossing, since he was known to be a powerful swimmer. The dog responded that he had stopped to take a bath since he was worried about the dirt on his coat muddying the river water and disturbing the tranquility of the river.
The last and twelfth creature to arrive was the pig, struggling ashore just as the Emperor was about to declare the event over. Shocked that it had taken him so long to arrive the Emperor asked the pig for an explanation. The pig complained that he had stopped for a snack since he couldn't be expected to travel so far on an empty stomach and then he had taken a nap because he had been tired from the meal. Upon waking up he realized that he was the only one left and raced to the river.
Roaring with laughter the Jade Emperor declared the Zodiac signs to be these animals and everyone celebrated the end of the holiday.
Each animal has a series of positive and negative attributes for his or her specific sign - take a look and see what your animal is and if it applies to you!
Rat:Honest, generous to a fault.Aggressive, quick to become angry
Ox:Natural leader, easygoingNervous, conservative
Tiger:Charming, courageousUnpredictable, emotionalRabbit:Pleasant, peacefulEasily convinced, sentimental
Dragon:Bossy, loudPopular, intelligent
Snake:Passionate, cleverVain, determined
Horse:Hardworking, friendlyImpatient, cheerful
Sheep: Creative, artisticPassionate, too honest
Monkey:Clever, inventiveEasily discouraged, entertaining
Rooster:Courageous, shrewdEccentric, selfish
Dog:Quiet, intelligentStubborn, loyal
Pig: Reliable, shyShort-tempered, tolerant
As you can see there are many different aspects to the Chinese Zodiac that are not represented in the Western astrological version. 2008 is the Year of the Rat, so babies born in 2008 supposedly will have certain characteristics as listed above. Why not check out you and your friends' Chinese Zodiac signs and see what animals you and your friends are? Maybe you just might discover something about each other!
By Sheryl Nantus,
The Chinese Zodiac assigns animals to each year, unlike the common Western Zodiac that runs from month to month. Each year belongs to a certain animal and people born in that year are considered to be endowed with certain abilities, good and bad, of that animal.
The legend behind these creatures is that the Jade Emperor decided to hold a great holiday on his birthday and a contest for the animals in his domain. He challenged the animals to race across a fast-flowing river with the winner being the first to walk ashore.
Quickly alliances were built between the different creatures, with the cat and rat convincing the ox to carry them - since neither the cat nor the rat were good swimmers and would probably drown. The pair promised the ox that in exchange for his help they would allow him to set foot first on the land and win the race; allowing the cat and rat to at least keep their dignity. The ox, being good-natured and more than a little gullible, agreed to the deal.
Halfway across the river the cat and the rat began to fight on the back of the ox; with the cat finally being pushed into the river by the rat - thus the exclusion of the cat from the Zodiac and the ongoing hatred between cats and rats to this day. As the ox approached the shore the rat broke their agreement and jumped onto solid ground, securing the first place in the Zodiac with the good-natured ox plodding ashore and taking second place without any ill will towards the rat.
Third place in the Zodiac went to the tiger who struggled across the river, finally dragging himself ashore to the delight of the Emperor.
The rabbit, knowing he was not a strong swimmer, sought out stepping stones and logs, finally finding himself aboard a floating log that drifted quickly towards shore, securing him the fourth spot.
The Emperor noticed the dragon arriving safe and secure, having flown across the river without problem. Frowning, he asked the dragon why he had not come in first since the dragon could fly and did not have to worry about the water. The dragon responded that he had been in the air and spotted a rabbit stranded on a floating log in the river and had paused to give a mighty puff of air, pushing the log to shore ahead of the dragon. This impressed the Jade Emperor greatly.
As the horse emerged from the river and was about to place his hoof on the ground and secure his place in the Zodiac a snake suddenly appeared from between his hooves; startling the creature and forcing him back into the river. The snake took the sixth place and the horse the seventh due to this event.
The next three spots were achieved through a group effort. The sheep, the monkey and the rooster agreed to work together to cross the river. The rooster flew up and down the length of the riverbank until he spotted an old raft lying on the shoreline. The sheep and monkey worked hard to free it from the tangled weeds and repair it; the sheep biting through the long weeds and the monkey using his hands to weave patches for the holes. Finally the three crossed the river as a team. The Emperor announced the sheep would be the eighth sign, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth animal in the Zodiac.
Next to arrive on the opposite shore was the dog. The Emperor asked why the dog had been so long in crossing, since he was known to be a powerful swimmer. The dog responded that he had stopped to take a bath since he was worried about the dirt on his coat muddying the river water and disturbing the tranquility of the river.
The last and twelfth creature to arrive was the pig, struggling ashore just as the Emperor was about to declare the event over. Shocked that it had taken him so long to arrive the Emperor asked the pig for an explanation. The pig complained that he had stopped for a snack since he couldn't be expected to travel so far on an empty stomach and then he had taken a nap because he had been tired from the meal. Upon waking up he realized that he was the only one left and raced to the river.
Roaring with laughter the Jade Emperor declared the Zodiac signs to be these animals and everyone celebrated the end of the holiday.
Each animal has a series of positive and negative attributes for his or her specific sign - take a look and see what your animal is and if it applies to you!
Rat:Honest, generous to a fault.Aggressive, quick to become angry
Ox:Natural leader, easygoingNervous, conservative
Tiger:Charming, courageousUnpredictable, emotionalRabbit:Pleasant, peacefulEasily convinced, sentimental
Dragon:Bossy, loudPopular, intelligent
Snake:Passionate, cleverVain, determined
Horse:Hardworking, friendlyImpatient, cheerful
Sheep: Creative, artisticPassionate, too honest
Monkey:Clever, inventiveEasily discouraged, entertaining
Rooster:Courageous, shrewdEccentric, selfish
Dog:Quiet, intelligentStubborn, loyal
Pig: Reliable, shyShort-tempered, tolerant
As you can see there are many different aspects to the Chinese Zodiac that are not represented in the Western astrological version. 2008 is the Year of the Rat, so babies born in 2008 supposedly will have certain characteristics as listed above. Why not check out you and your friends' Chinese Zodiac signs and see what animals you and your friends are? Maybe you just might discover something about each other!
By Sheryl Nantus,
posted by zodiac at
12:14 AM
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