Chinese Zodiac
More than 30,000 years ago, Chinese
ancestors invented the 10 Tian Gan (or heavenly stems) and 12 Di Zhi (or
12 earthly branches for chronological purpose. Later, people used 12
animals to symbolize the 12 earthly branches in order to make things
easier to memorize and the animals in order are the mouse, ox, tiger,
rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Many Chinese people strongly believe that
the time of a person's birth is primary factor in determining that
person's characteristics. According to one legend, Buddha invited all the
animals to his kingdom, but unfortunately, only a total of 12 turned up,
the mouse was naturally the first, followed by the ox, then tiger, the
rabbit and so on. Out of gratitude, Buddha decided to name the year after
each of the animals in their order of arrival. It is essential in China
that every person knows which animal sign he is born under and most of
Chinese truly believe that the signs reveal the hidden secrets of a
person's character. |