十二生肖故事英文版简短(十二生肖的故事 英文版)

The
Story of the Chinese Zodiac Animals The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that assigns an animal to each year. These animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. According to legend, the Jade Emperor of heaven held a race to decide the order of the zodiac animals. The rat was the cleverest of all the animals and came up with a plan to win the race. He hopped on the back of the ox and when they got to the finish line, the rat jumped off and crossed the line first. The ox came second and became the second animal of the zodiac. The tiger came third, followed by the rabbit. The dragon came fifth, but not because of his speed. He had to stop and help a village from a flood. The snake came sixth, followed by the horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. They all finished the race and became part of the zodiac. Each animal has its own unique personality traits and is associated with different lucky attributes. For example, the rat is known for being intelligent and quick-witted, while the ox is steadfast and reliable. People born in these animal years are believed to inherit some of these traits and are said to be more compatible with certain animals. This is why the Chinese zodiac is often used in astrology, matchmaking, and fortune-telling. In addition to their symbolic meaning, the zodiac animals are also celebrated in various customs and traditions. Many people exchange red envelopes filled with money during the lunar new year, which is based on the Chinese calendar and corresponds with the zodiac cycle. Another popular custom is to decorate homes and streets with symbols of the zodiac animals. This can include lanterns, figurines, and banners, all of which bring good luck and happiness. Overall, the Chinese zodiac is a fascinating part of Chinese culture that continues to be celebrated today. Whether you were born in the year of the rat or the year of the pig, there's always something special about being a part of this mystical cycle.