The story of how the animals got chosen to represent each year has slight variations, but the order is always the same. The animals are the rat, snake, ox, sheep (or goat), horse, dog, monkey, dragon, rabbit, tiger, rooster, and pig. The Jade Emperor, or perhaps Great Buddha, summoned the eleven animals and dragon and told them of a great race. They were to race for many miles, and many days to the Jade City, the order of their place in the zodiac would be determined by their finish.

The first to finish was the craft, and sneaky rat, the last obstacle in the race was a great sea, and the rat being unwilling to swim rode, convinced the oxen to let him upon the oxen’s head, by adding the height, he offered himself as a guide to the oxen. When the rat saw the Jade city over top the waves, he told the oxen to turn around, that the city was nowhere to be seen, then he jumped off. Being so light the oxen did not notice for some time, but by they the rat had already reached the Jade city. The concerned oxen, thinking he had lost his companion went looking for the little rat and he too eventually found the Jade city.

The Tiger finished next, having walked all the way around the sea, and the rabbit shortly behind him.

Eventually the dragon, who had been predicted as a clear winner finished in fifth place. It seems along the race the dragon had been called away from the race earlier, to fly into the heavens and distract some enemies of the animals and humanity and lead them up into the sky forever.

Then along came the snake, finishing just ahead of the horse. The snake had hitched a ride by wrapping itself around the horses leg, only to jump off the tired horse at the end and cross the finish line.

The sheep then came to the Jade City with the monkey as a companion. As it happened the monkey had come across a stream much earlier in the race and had remained to admire its’ refection. The sheep had been to nervous to continue on alone so remained with the monkey until they were ready to venture forth again.

The rooster crossed the line next, having been distracted earlier at a hen house, where he was called to duty to chase off some invading foxes.

The dog finished eleventh, although also considered a strong contestant, it seems his loyalty prevailed and when the pigs tiny legs could go no faster the dog remained behind, running forward and back several times while he waited for the pig to eat, rest, and continue.

As such the animals ended there race and have ruled the years ever since. We must remember though that the Chinese New Year does not begin on January first.

Photosource Wikimedica Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Rat.svg

RAT – 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936

Hardworking and charming, but can be manipulative or vindictive. Critical and prone to gossip. Enjoys collecting “things”.

Photosource Wikimedia commons

 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Oxen.svg

OXEN – 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937

Patient and methodical, but can be stubborn or narrow-minded. Can hold a grudge, but is very loyal.

My own Image. 

TIGER – 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938

Unpredictable but loves being the center of attention. Generous and sincere but can be restless or impatient.

Image Source Wikimedia Commons 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rabbit.svg

RABBIT – 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939

Gracious and kind, but not always modest or generous. Tend to have good fortune. Can be shy or sentimental.

Image Source Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Dragon.svg

DRAGON – 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940

Proud, passionate, and self-assured, but with a flare for the dramatic. Dragons can be moody but tend to have a positive outlook and vivid imagination.

Photosource Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Snake.svg

SNAKE – 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941

Deep thinker and resourceful, but can be self doubting or a bit of a loner. Snakes have good natural intuition.

ImageSource Wikimedia Commons 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Horse.svg

HORSE – 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942

Quick witted, intelligent and open-minded, but might not finish projects they start. A free spirit and non-conformist.

Photosource Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Goat.svg

SHEEP – 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943

Mild mannered, understanding, and compassionate, but can be shy and over cautious. Prone to complaining.

Photosource Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Monkey.svg

MONKEY -2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944

Sociable and polite, but vain, to the point of having a superiority complex. Monkeys are excellent problem solvers who can be prone to jealously and distrustful.

Photosource Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Cruderooster.svg

ROOSTER – 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945

Brave and responsible but reckless. Probably one of the most misunderstood animals. Roosters are self assured and opinionated.

My own Image.

DOG – 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946

Loyal and honest, but can be judgmental or quarrelsome. Dogs are probably the best friends in the zodiac.

Photosource Wikimedia Commons 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Crudeboar.svg

PIG – 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1950, 1947

Hardworking and reliable, but sometimes naïve or gullible. Pigs are peace loving and often to take on more responsibility than they should.