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| Chinese Zodiac Animals |
By:
Jamie Hanson |
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Once upon a time, to make it convenient for the people to keep track of the time, the ruler of China, Jade the Emperor thought to make some changes to the zodiac cycle. He sent a message to all the animals wanting them to appear together so that he could give a year to each of them. As the legend goes, the Cat and the Rat were good friends. Upon having the information they chose to travel together to comply with the Emperor. It is known that cats are normally sleepyheads. They were no different centuries ago as well. So in the morning when it was time to go, the Cat was still sleeping and the clever Rat ignoring all their plans from yesterday decided to leave quietly and alone. He quit his sleeping friend behind and was the first to arrive in the Emperor's palace. The Cat woke up a little later to find his co called friend long gone. After this incident the Cats could never be Rats' friends.
This folk story has been written in many versions. Another intriguing edition tells that Emperor Jade invited animals to a summit. He also announced that the years in the calendar would be named after the animals' names and in the order of their arrival.. The place for the assembly was across the river. Rat and Cat were not the best of the swimmers but they were clever, the Rat being cleverer of the two. Together they wanted to ask the Ox for assistance in spanning the river. Ox was kind and strong. He accepted help. When they crossed half way in the river the rat cunningly pushed the cat into the river and rushed to the Emperor to become the first animal in the zodiac calendar. Ox was not further behind and was granted the second place immediately. The Tiger arrived after the Ox. Tiger came up huffing and puffing. He explained about the current in the river and his strength by which he overcame the obstacle.
He earned the honor to become the third animal to have a position in the calendar.
Not long after the Tiger hopped the Rabbit into the emperor's palace. He had managed to cross the river by jumping from one rock to the next and then got a clutch of a log that made it simpler for him get to the bank easily. He was awarded the fourth place in the calendar. The awesome Dragon was the other to show up on the scene. The Emperor asked the dragon about his late arrival. The Dragon replied that he was late as he was busy producing rain for mankind and moreover he saw a little Rabbit struggling to get to the bank, so he decided to help him. He puffed the air so that the rabbit which was holding the log could reach the river bank. These were sufficient reasons for the Emperor and he happily assigned the fifth spot to the Dragon. After a little while the galloping sounds of the horse were heard and he arrived on the spot. Immediately after he arrived he realized that a Snake had been camouflaging under its hoof, which terrified him. The snake with this coincidence claimed the sixth place in the calendar. Horse had to decide to the seventh place.
When emperor decided to leave he saw the goat, monkey and the rooster arriving. They were comrades and had been very helpful to each other to cross over the river. The rooster got a raft and the other two rowed it in the river current. Their attempts bore fruit and they were able to obtain eighth, ninth and tenth spots respectively. The dog received the eleventh place. He had put in quite a bit of time playing in the river so he was very late in spite of his competence as a swimmer. Only remaining spot was taken by the Pig, which stopped to eat and then fell asleep. But beneficial to him as he was late and still picked up the only left spot in the calendar. Cat was the thirteenth to arrive on the scene, which meant all the spots were already taken and nothing was left for him.
Another exciting twist is incorporated to the folk story in the version which tells that the Rat believed that the Ox was powerful and perhaps its smartest choice for crossing the river. So it decided to trick him into taking him across. He asked over the Ox if it would be pleased in listening to a song. The Ox with its born simplicity gave the consent. In response the rat moved his mouth but uttered no sound. The Ox said he could not hear it, to which the Rat responded by saying that he would be able to hear him if he was closer to his ear. The Ox still lacking the knowledge of Rat's true intention allowed him to ride his back. Before he realized they had crossed the river and the Rat jumped off his back and ran to claim the first spot for himself. The Ox followed and the remainder of the animals came in subsequently.
Buddhism has another explanation of the story. According to them, before leaving behind the Earth, Buddha invited almost all animals to meet him. Only twelve of the animals arrived and according to the order of arrival they were given the place in the calendar.
Last but not the least is a edition that explains that the God had requested animals to a party. The ever clever Rat loved to make a fool of the Cat. He notified the Cat that the supper was not that night but the night after. He left the sleeping cat, securing a spot for himself in the calendar and leaving the Cat with nothing. This remarkably angered the Cat and he could in no way be Rat's friend again.
The existing version of the Zodiac calendar has been in the making for hundreds of years. It`s real reference is impossible to find. Historians often agree that the justification for the absence of the Cat in the calendar happens because Cat was only revealed into China at a later point by the Buddhists, who had brought it together with them from India.
Have you read about Chinese Horoscope Forecast 2012? If 2012 is not a good year for you, get some feng shui products to improve your luck. |
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