The ancient art of the Chinese Zodiac or Chinese Astrology predates the Western Zodiac by thousands of years. This detailed system has 12 signs named after 12 different animals. Each birth year is assigned an animal, and each year an animal is celebrated, and its character traits are said to influence the events and personalities of newborns during that year.

As the legend goes, one Chinese New Year, the Buddha, celebrating his newfound enlightenment, invited all the animals to his kingdom to celebrate.

According to the legend, only 12 animals arrived and had to cross a great river to reach the Buddha. The order in which the animals arrived is important in understanding their different personalities. The first to arrive at the river was the Rat and the Ox. The Rat saw that he would need the Ox’s assistance to cross the river, so he asked the Ox if he would carry him on his back. Once they reached the other side of the river, the intelligent and resourceful Rat jumped from the Ox’s back and raced up the riverbank to meet the Buddha. Because he was the first to reach the Buddha, the Rat was the first animal to be honored, followed by the hardworking and dependable Ox. After the Ox then followed the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and finally the Pig.

To express his gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each animal and those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore, those born under the Dog would be Loyal and dutiful, just like the Dog. While those born under the Sheep for example, would be gentle and creative, just like the Sheep.

Therefore, the order of the 12 animals as they arrived at the Buddha’s side:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

To find out which animal you were born under, refer to the Zodiac Chart