Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar. The holiday honors deities as well as ancestors, traditions and folklores passed down in families.
A story often told during Chinese New Year is how the 12 zodiacs were chosen – also known as the great race.
One day, the Jade Emperor, ruler of all gods within Chinese mythology, announced to all the animals on the planet that he will host a race. The first 12 to finish the race will be chosen to join him in the imperial palace.
When the sun peaked above the horizon the next day, all the animals started the race with the goal to finish the race first, however, the biggest challenge for most of them was crossing the river right before the finish line.
The Rat knew if he didn’t do something the Ox would arrive at the finish line first. Being quick-witted and persuasive, it convinced the powerful and kind Ox to let it ride on its back across the river. When they got close to the other side of the river, the Rat quickly jumped off the top of the Ox’s head and crossed the finish line before it got out of the water. The Ox was too composed and conservative to make a big fuss as he crossed the line, content with second place, followed by the Tiger shortly after him.
Back on the other side of the river, the Rabbit, who was closely tailing the Tiger, jumped along a trail of rocks jutting up from the water. Suddenly, the Rabbit slipped and tumbled into the water while panicking if it will finish the race in time. A moment later, the Rabbit saw a floating log nearby and paddled as fast as it could and clung on tightly. The log slowed to a stop until a sudden gust of wind blew the log towards the shore where the finish line was. With no other animal in sight, the Rabbit quickly hopped on the shore and crossed the finish line claiming fourth place.
Soon after, the Dragon swiftly descended from the skies to cross the finish line. It explained to the Jade Emperor that it arrived later than expected because it aided villagers in putting out the flames that set their crops on fire. When the warm-hearted Dragon was almost at the finish line, it also helped a tiny Rabbit clinging to a log in the water by using its breath to push it to shore.
As the Dragon spoke with the Jade Emperor, the energetic Horse galloped across the river and onto the shore with only a few strides away from the finish line. However, from the grass, the Snake slithered out and startled the Horse from behind. The Horse leaped backwards in shock as the sneaky Snake took the chance to cross the finish line claiming the sixth place with the Horse in seventh place.
Back in the river, the Monkey, the Rooster and the Sheep all floated on a raft, which the Rooster found by the opposite shore. The three travelled together using branches as paddles to reach the finish line. When they reached the shore, the Monkey and the Rooster chose to let the Sheep cross first, to claim eighth place, because the peace-loving animal promoted teamwork. The Monkey and Rooster then claimed ninth and tenth place respectively.
Trotting out of the water behind the Rooster was the Dog. Even though it was a skilled swimmer, it couldn’t resist the temptation to play and rest in the water after not having bathed for some time.
With eleven animals having crossed the finish line, the Jade Emperor wondered which animal would finish the race. A distant oink was heard as the Pig waddled towards the finish line. It explained honestly that it got hungry and stopped for a meal, but then fell asleep after eating causing it to fall behind even though it had a swift gait.
The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac were decided which concluded the great race.
