How did the twelve zodiac signs come about
The twelve zodiac signs are an important part of Chinese traditional culture. They are not only related to the lunar year, but also deeply integrated into folk legends, customs and daily life. So, how did the twelve zodiac signs come from? This article will combine historical documents and folk legends to uncover the mystery of the origin of the twelve zodiac signs.
1. The origin of the twelve zodiac signs
The origins of the twelve zodiac signs can be traced back to the astronomical calendar and animal worship in ancient China. According to historical records, the formation of the twelve zodiac signs is closely related to the chronological method of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. The following is the correspondence between the twelve zodiac signs and the Earthly Branches:
| Earthly branches | Chinese Zodiac |
|---|---|
| son | mouse |
| ugly | ox |
| In | Tiger |
| 南 | rabbit |
| Chen | dragon |
| 南 | snake |
| noon | horse |
| not yet | sheep |
| state | monkey |
| unitary | chicken |
| 未 | dog |
| Hai | pig |
2. The twelve zodiac signs in folk legends
There are many interesting legends circulating among the folk about the arrangement of the twelve zodiac signs. The most famous story is "animal racing". Legend has it that the Jade Emperor decided to select twelve animals as representatives of the zodiac signs and hold a racing competition. The results of the competition determine the order of the animals:
| Ranking | animal | Story clip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | mouse | The witty mouse hid on the back of the cow and finally jumped down to win the first place. |
| 2 | ox | The cow could have been the first, but because of the cunning mouse, he ranked second. |
| 3 | Tiger | As the king of the mountains, the tiger ran hard to win third place. |
| 4 | rabbit | The rabbit ranks fourth with its agile jumping ability. |
| 5 | dragon | The dragon could have been faster, but it was delayed by helping the people with rain on the way. |
| 6 | snake | The snake quietly wrapped around the horse's legs and finally appeared suddenly to finish sixth place. |
| 7 | horse | The horse ranks seventh because it was disturbed by snakes. |
| 8 | sheep | The sheep cooperated with monkeys and chickens to cross the river, and finally ranked eighth. |
| 9 | monkey | Monkeys cross the river with sheep and chickens, ranking ninth. |
| 10 | chicken | Chicken cooperates with sheep and monkeys and ranks tenth. |
| 11 | dog | Dogs are eleventh because they are playing around and are ranking eleventh. |
| 12 | pig | The pig was greedy and slept, and the last one arrived. |
3. The cultural significance of the twelve zodiac signs
The twelve zodiac signs are not only a way of chronology, but also carry rich cultural connotations. Each zodiac animal has its own unique symbolic meaning:
| Chinese Zodiac | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| mouse | Witness, flexibility |
| ox | Hardworking and down-to-earth |
| Tiger | Brave and majestic |
| rabbit | Gentle, agile |
| dragon | Noble, power |
| snake | Wisdom, mystery |
| horse | Unrestrained and free |
| sheep | Meek, kind |
| monkey | Smart, lively |
| chicken | Keep your promise and be on time |
| dog | Loyalty, courage |
| pig | True and blessed |
4. The combination of popular topics and the twelve zodiac signs in the past 10 days
Recently, the twelve zodiac signs have become hot topics again. The following are popular content related to the twelve zodiac signs in the past 10 days:
| Hot Topics | Content introduction |
|---|---|
| Zodiac fortune prediction | Netizens have hotly discussed the fortune of the Year of the Dragon in 2024, especially the analysis of the fortunes of the Dragon, the Dog and the Rabbit. |
| Zodiac cultural and creative products | Major brands have launched limited edition products for the Year of the Dragon, such as the Year of the Dragon, commemorative coins, zodiac themed clothing, etc. |
| Zodiac and personality test | The popular test of "What personality traits do your zodiac represent" on social media has sparked heated discussions. |
| Zodiac legend animation | A domestic animated short film set against the legend of the twelve zodiac signs became popular on the short video platform. |
V. Conclusion
As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, the twelve zodiac signs are not only a chronological method, but also a cultural symbol. Its origin has both historical basis and folk wisdom. I hope that through this article, you can have a deeper understanding of the origin and cultural significance of the twelve zodiac signs.
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