The Story of The Great Race
Photo by Robynne O on Unsplash
Have you ever wondered how the twelve Chinese zodiac animals were determined, or why they come in a certain order? From the myth of the great race, we can learn how this tradition came to be. We can also learn some of the qualities of the animals from the story – you’ll notice that they each crossed the finish line in their own unique way!
There are many versions of this myth, and we’ve included ours below.
The Myth of the Great Race
Long ago in ancient China, the Jade Emperor decided to hold a great race to create a calendar for all to follow. He invited all of the animals in the kingdom to participate, and declared that the winning twelve animals would determine the flow of the months, the days, and the years. The race required crossing dangerous terrain, which included a vast river, and this posed a challenge for many.
Even though the Rat knew how to swim, the great river was no small feat. The Rat knew that crossing alone was going to be impossible. Clever and quick-thinking, the Rat approached its best friend, the Ox. The Rat said, “Ox, I think we can win this Great Race together.”
Although not the fastest of animals, the Ox was a strong, dependable, kind creature who loved the Rat, so the Ox agreed to help. The Ox knelt down to welcome its best friend, and the Rat climbed onto the Ox’s head. Together they traveled across the land and swam through the great river. Just as they neared the finish line, however, the Rat leapt off the Ox’s head and crossed the finish line alone, coming in first place. This is how the opportunistic Rat became the first zodiac animal, followed by the strong and steady Ox, who was happy to support its best friend.
Next, the Tiger was able to battle the strong river currents because of its powerful will. Even though crossing the river exhausted the Tiger, the Tiger used its determination and courage to complete the task. With great effort, the Tiger reached the finish line next, earning third place in the zodiac.
Behind the Tiger, the agile Rabbit raced easily across the deserts and the forest, but the river was a dangerous obstacle. While hopping across the river on slippery stones, the Rabbit fell into the rushing water. Sinking seemed inevitable, but then the Rabbit noticed a log floating nearby. The Rabbit made its way to the log and clung to it desperately. When the Rabbit looked up, it noticed the mighty Dragon overhead. The Dragon’s powerful wings created a current that guided the log and the Rabbit safely to shore. The Dragon saw that the Rabbit needed help, so thanks to agility, a bit of luck, and the support of the Dragon, the Rabbit finished in fourth place.
Despite having the ability to fly, the noble Dragon arrived in fifth place. When the Jade Emperor asked why the Dragon did not finish first, the Dragon explained that it had stopped to bring rain to a village suffering from drought, and that had delayed the journey. This act showed compassion and responsibility, and the Dragon didn’t mind that it had come in fifth.
Next up behind the Dragon, the Horse galloped quickly toward the heavenly palace. In its rush to finish the race, the Horse had not noticed that coiled around its hoof sat the quiet Snake. Suddenly, the Snake uncoiled, startling the Horse, who reared back and allowed the Snake to slip across the finish line first and claim sixth place. The intelligent, strong Horse had been outwitted by the Snake, but recovering quickly from the surprise, the Horse crossed the finish line in seventh place with proud speed and determination.
After the Horse came the Ram (also called the Goat or Sheep), a gentle, kind animal. The Ram knew that teamwork was the only way to cross the river, so with kindness and a cooperative spirit, the Ram convinced the clever Monkey and the chatty Rooster to work together. Using dexterity and wit, the Monkey swung through the trees along the riverbank, gathering branches and vines, and a makeshift raft was built, sturdy enough for the sure-footed Ram to stand on. The Rooster perched at the back of the raft, flapping its wings and steering proudly while loudly explaining how well everything was going. When the raft reached the finish line, the Ram jumped off first, earning eighth place. The Ram was followed by the Monkey in ninth, and the Rooster arrived shortly after in tenth place, having been distracted by its own constant chatter.
Meanwhile, the playful and easygoing Dog had stopped to enjoy a long bath in the river. Taking time to splash, swim, and play, the Dog eventually crossed the finish line as the eleventh zodiac sign.
And last but not least, the indulgent Pig arrived. Along the way, the Pig ate some snacks, took a nap, and paused to socialize. Even so, the Pig completed the race and crossed the finish line in twelfth place.
These first twelve animals who finished the race became the twelve zodiac animals, and each year we honor one of these animals, in the order in which they finished the race.