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Research Paper On The Chinese Zodiac

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The Chinese Zodiac, also known as Shang Xiao, has been used for thousands of years, and it is still used by millions of people across the world (History & Origin). The Chinese Zodiac is based on the year an individual is born rather than the month and day (Western Zodiac). Legends and mythology are a tremendous part of Chinese culture, especially in the Chinese Zodiac (Chinese Zodiac History). The Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve-year cycle in which each year is related to an animal sign. There are 12 animal signs that are included in the calendar: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig. There are many legends and stories that surround the existence …show more content…

There is a wide range of explanations regarding this happening, with none being more credited over the other. According to one myth, the Chinese New Year Buddha organized the animal kingdom to determine how to restore order in the world (The Wonders of the Zodiac). However, only twelve animals showed up. The twelve animals that were present came to signify the Chinese Zodiac cycle. The order of the signs were determined by Buddha. The most well known legend of the Chinese Zodiac states that Buddha invited the twelve animals to participate in a race. The prize was a position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar in the order they finished. The first animal to make it across the finish line was the rat. The Chinese Zodiac legends and mythologies state that the rat used its brain rather than its strength to win the race (Chinese Zodiac History). The ox later strolled into second place, and also the tiger, using its strength, came in third. The list goes on until, finally, the pig/boar scored last place. Compared to many other legends/stories, almost every one of them presents the same concept as to how the animals were rewarded their position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar and how it was done (a …show more content…

Each of the twelve signs represents traits/characteristics an individual possesses. For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that an individual born in the Year of the Horse is “cheerful, popular, and quick to compliment others (The Wonders of the Zodiac).” The year of a person’s birth is considered the primary factor in determining a person’s personality, mental and physical attributes, and ability and level of success (The Wonders of the Zodiac). The animal signs also have a useful purpose in determining an individual’s age. Instead of questioning straightforwardly how old someone is, the Chinese, instead, asks for that person’s animal sign. This is a common way of socializing with

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