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The
year of your birth does not just indicate your age! According to the
Chinese system of Astrology, the year of birth indicates a certain
phase or aspect of a sixty-year cycle of time. Three systems are used
for counting and classifying the years: The ten Heavenly Stems, the
twelve Earthly Branches and the twelve Animals.
The
exact origins of the twelve animal system remain unknown. However,
legend has it that, once upon a time, the Jade King was bored, having
nothing to do in Heaven. He did not see what was happening on Earth,
as he had servants satiating his every wish and desire. He decided
that he wanted to see the animals that inhabited the earth so he sent
word to his advisors to bring him twelve animals (which he considered
to be a good sampling.) The advisor first sent an invitation to the
Rat, telling him to also bring the cat. The Rat's jealousy prevented
the cat from actually receiving the invitation.
Further
invitations were sent on to the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the
Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster and
the Dog, asking for their presence at the palace the following day.
When they lined up in front of the king, he found that they numbered
only eleven, instead of twelve as he had requested. The king sent his
servant down to Earth to retrieve a twelfth animal. The servant ran
into a man carrying a Pig, and he hastily grabbed it and delivered it
to the king.
The
animals stood in front of the king in no particular order. The Rat,
being smaller than the rest, hopped on the Ox's back and proceeded to
play the flute. The king was very impressed by this display. He gave
the Rat first place. Second place was given to the Ox for its good
sportsmanship, and third was given to the Tiger, who appeared so
courageous. The Rabbit was given fourth place, the Dragon fifth, the
Snake sixth, the Horse seventh, the Ram eighth, the Monkey ninth, the
Rooster tenth and the Dog eleventh. By default, and due to the king's
just nature, twelfth place went to the Pig. After the ceremony
concluded, the cat (who missed the invitation) begged the king to
reconsider. He was told it was too late. |
