The Origins of the Chinese Zodiac Part 2

By Vanessa Salmeron-Rivera

We’re so used to the Zodiac: Aries, Cancer, Gemini, etc.  This year, the Owlet thought we’d try something different, the Chinese Zodiac Horoscopes. So, what is the Chinese Zodiac? 

According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order of the zodiac signs would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. To reach the part, the animals had to cross a great river. The twelve animals included Dog, Rat, Ox, Dragon, Tiger, Goat, Snake, Pig, Rabbit, Rooster, Monkey, and Horse. This month, I am going to introduce you to the next five animals.  

Snake

Sneaky Snake was the sixth animal to make it to the Jade Emperor.  It did so by hiding in Horse’s tail.  Snake hissed, scaring Horse and as Horse stopped to catch its breath, Snake slithered past and was congratulated by the Emperor for coming in sixth place.

Horse

Horse, who had run so fast and hard, had been tricked by Snake into not only carrying a stow-away, but losing sixth place in the race. Jade Emperor petted Horse and congratulated it upon its arrival in seventh place. The Emperor told Horse that Snake was a sneaky creature and to not feel badly.

Goat, Monkey, Rooster

Goat, Monkey, and Rooster. The Jade Emperor asked Goat to team up with Monkey and Rooster. The shared a boat and paddled across the great river together.  The Emperor asked the trio to choose an eighth place winner and Goat pleaded the case of its fellow team members, Rooster and Monkey, to earn the spot because they did so much of the rowing.  Pleased by its humility, the Jade Emperor gave the title of eight place to Goat. Monkey was honored with ninth and the tenth place was bestowed upon Rooster.