First sign of the chinese zodiac: 59 Photos
FAQs
There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs, in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat.
Just as the Ox was about to the reach the other side of the river, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water and raced ahead of the tired Ox to finish the race and reach Jade Emperor first. And that is why the Rat was named the first animal of the zodiac calendar.
History of Chinese Zodiac Elements. The Chinese zodiac has five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
According to myth, the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac were selected by a race organised by the Jade Emperor - an important god in the Chinese religion. The 12 animals who were winners in the race were: a pig, dog, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox and rat.