How are the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac signs chosen over others?

Question

There are the rat, the cow, the tiger, the rabbit and the rest of the 12 animals for each year for a cycle of 12 years where it is repeated. How are these animals selected to appear in the Chinese Zodiac. I mean , why not the duck, the deer, the cat, the elephant etc. Why only those 12 animals and how and why are they chosen?

Answer 1

The 12 Zodiac animal signs are, in order, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram (or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. There are many legends to explain the beginning of the zodiac. One of the most popular reads, in summarized form, as follows:

The rat was given the task of inviting the animals to report to the Jade Emperor for a banquet to be selected for the zodiac signs. The cat was a good friend of the rat, but the rat tricked him into believing that the banquet was the next day. The cat slept through the banquet, thinking that it was the next day. When he found out, the cat vowed to be the rat's natural enemy for ages to come.
A variation of this describes the Jade Emperor holding a great banquet in his palace; the cat does not hear the initial announcement so the rat tells him that there is going to be a royal party but instead tells him it is on the day after the actual date. All the animals who arrived on the night were granted a special place as a zodiac animal - the cat arrived the next day only to find out that the banquet was over.

Another popular legend has it that a race was used to decide the animals to report to the Jade Emperor.

While we are all aware of the hatred between a cat and a rat, these two animals were actually very good friends once. Good friends they may be, but these two animals are the worst swimmers in the animal kingdom. Although bad swimmers, they were both intelligent. They decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river is to hop on the back of the ox. The ox, being a naïve and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them across. However, when there is a carrot dangling in front, it is sometimes difficult to stick to friendship and the crafty rat decides that in order to win, it must do something and promptly pushed the cat into the river. Because of this, the cat had never forgiven the rat, and no doubt, hated the water too. After the ox had crossed the river, the rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first, and it cleverly claimed first place in the race!

Following closely behind was the strong ox, and it was named the 2nd animal in the zodiac. After the ox, came the tiger, panting away while explaining to the emperor just how difficult it was to cross the river with the heavy currents pushing it downstream all the time. But with powerful strength, it made to shore and was named the 3rd animal in the cycle.

Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping sound and out pop the rabbit. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it almost lost the race but the rabbit was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed him to shore. For that, it became the 4th animal in the zodiac cycle. Coming in 5th place was the gallant dragon, flying and belching fire into the air. Of course the Emperor was deeply curious as to why a strong and flying creature such as the dragon should fail to reach first. The mighty dragon explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, therefore he was held back a little. Then on his way to the finish line, he saw a little helpless rabbit clinging on to a log so he did a good deed and gave a puff of breath to the poor creature so that it could land on the shore. The emperor was very pleased with the actions of the dragon and he was added into the zodiac cycle. As soon as he had done so, a galloping sound was heard and the horse appeared. Hidden on the horse's hoof is the slimy sneaky snake whose sudden appearance gave the horse a fright thus making it fall back and gave the snake 6th spot whilst the horse took the 7th.

Not long after that, a little distance away, the ram, monkey and rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to where they are. The rooster spotted a raft, and took the other two animals with it. Together, the ram and the monkey cleared the weeds, tugged and pulled and finally got the raft to the shore. Because of their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the ram as the 8th creature, the monkey as the 9th, and the rooster the 10th.

The 11th animal is the dog. His explanation for being late although he was supposed to be the best swimmer amongst the rest was that he needed a good bath after a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was too big a temptation. For that, he almost didn't make it to finish line. Just as the emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little pig. The term "lazy pig" is due here as the pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast then fell asleep. After the nap, the pig continued the race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle. The cat finished too late (thirteenth) to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.

Some versions of the tale say that the cattle nominated a water buffalo to represent them because he was more proficient at water. The trade was acceptable because both animals are members of the family of bovines.

Another version of the tale expands the race. The route ran through a forest, over ranges of plains and grasslands, and along a stream, before finally crossing a lake to the destination town.

Yet another variation tells of two different races. The first involved all the animals, in two divisions to avoid the fast animals dominating the top, and the top six in each division would "make the cut" for a second round, which would then determine the order of placement of the animals in the zodiac.

In yet another variation, each animal was called before its peers and had to explain why it deserved a position at the top of the Zodiac. The Boar, at a loss, proceeded to claim that the meat on its bones 'tasted good.' This explanation was apparently considered unsatisfactory, because the Boar was placed at the very end of the Zodiac.

Answer 2

12 Animals Of The Zodiac

Answer 3

The Jade Emperor had announced a race, for which the top 12 animals will be given the zodiac year. The order of the zodiac comes from the order they finish the race. I dunno the specific details, bu the rat came out first as it was hiding on top of the cow and it jumped off and crossed the finish line before the cow could

That's for the myth, but for the more logical reasoning, ther's none. The twelve zodiac signs corresponds to the twelve heavenly stems. As people in the past are less educated, the wise men came up with an idea so that the commoners can relate to the heavenly stems easier. So, they used the most commonly seen creatures (except for dragon/tiger but they were the most feared)

Answer 4

I'll try to explain it to you.

It is said that the Jade Emperor had once made a call,that one day that he will made 12 animals as the chosen one each year and the first twelve who reported to him will be among the first twelve will be among the twelve chosen one.

The Rat and the Cat are friends before this,and they swear that they will help each other.

However,on the way crossing the river,when the Rat and the Cat are riding on the Ox,the Rat push the Cat down the river.

The one who reported their attendants are the Rat,the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit,the Dragon,the Snake,the Horse,the Sheep,the Monkey,the Rooster,the Dog and lastly the Swine(Pig)

The further animals were rejected their attendants because they arrive late.
One of them are the Fox and the Cat.

The Cat were so angry of its rejection that he swear to kill all of the Rat descendants.

Thats how the whole story started.

Answer 5

Well they choosen depend on a myth in China. I don't really know, but it tell about a party and the 12 animals come there. So the 12 animals choosen...

Answer 6

there is only one zodiac and 4 each kind please visit my profile Q's/ answers i have given in details 4 all Chinese have animal signs based on years 60 types one 4 each year and degree

Answer 7

the order in which the winners of a race crossed the finish line by orders of the Emperor.

Answer 8

Those were the only animals to show when budda called.

Answer 9

yes