The Chinese New Year Legend The Chinese Calendar names each of the twelve years in its rotating cycle after an animal. There are several legends that explain how this came about. One legend says that Lord Buddha called all the animals in the animal kingdom to come and say goodbye to him before he left his life on Earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell. He rewarded them by naming a year after each one, in the order they arrived.

Another legend tells the story of a swimming race: Many years ago there lived a rat, an ox, a tiger, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a sheep, a monkey, a rooster, a dog and a pig.

Meet the animals…

One day the twelve animals quarrelled about who was to head the cycle of years. They went to the Gods and asked them to decide, so the Gods held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to where they finished in the race. One day the twelve animals quarrelled about who was to head the cycle of years. They went to the Gods and asked them to decide, so the Gods held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to where they finished in the race.

All twelve animals waited at the river bank, until the Gods instructed them to start the race, then they all jumped in. Very soon the ox was in the lead but the rat was cunning and jumped upon his back. Just as the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. This was the final order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and last of all pig. The calendar has followed a rotating cycle ever since that time.

Which year were you born in? RatRat Rat OxOx Ox TigerTiger Tiger Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit DragonDragon Dragon SnakeSnake Snake HorseHorse Horse SheepSheep Sheep MonkeyMonkey Monkey RoosterRooster Rooster DogDog Dog Pig

Year of the Rat Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those they love - although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered and over-critical. They are supposed to make good writers, critics and publicists

Year of the Ox Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and good with their hands, they make fine surgeons and hairdressers. Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and good with their hands, they make fine surgeons and hairdressers.

Year of the Tiger Tigers are said to be bold and adventurous, and are bestowed with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, making them act before they think about the consequences. They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers Tigers are said to be bold and adventurous, and are bestowed with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, making them act before they think about the consequences. They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers

Year of the Rabbit Rabbits are affectionate, co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too sentimental and seem superficial. Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage. Rabbits are affectionate, co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too sentimental and seem superficial. Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage.

Year of the Dragon Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. They make good priests, artists and politicians Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. They make good priests, artists and politicians

Year of the Snake People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Ideal jobs include teaching. People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Ideal jobs include teaching.

Year of the Horse If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Career wise you would make a good scientist or poet If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Career wise you would make a good scientist or poet

Year of the Sheep Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors, gardeners or beachcombers would suit. Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors, gardeners or beachcombers would suit.

Year of the Monkey If you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are very intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you! If you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are very intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you!

Year of the Rooster The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers

Year of the Dog Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people. Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people.

Year of the Pig People born in the Year of the Pig are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers. People born in the Year of the Pig are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers.