The following story reveals legendary reasons, and some of the characteristics of the 12 animals. The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Though it is made up, it might be interesting for you to tell your children and friends. The Heavenly Gate Race Story - Reasons for Zodiac Rankings. Long, long ago, there was no Chinese The Chinese Zodiac and the Great Race There are several different variations of the story behind the Chinese Zodiac but they tend to follow the same broad strokes. It all began with the Jade Emperor (a representation of China’s “first god”) who decreed that the years of the calendar would be named for each animal. Chinese New Year and the Zodiacs. Each of these zodiac animals governs a whole year, which starts at Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar. This usually corresponds to January or February in the western calendar. When the current year has the same zodiac animal as the year you were born, you are said to be in Ben Ming Nian. Beside the tricks that rat played in the great race story of the Chinese zodiac, there are other legends about its priority in those animals. In Chinese mythology about the origin of world, the universe was in dark without form like an egg before the earth and heaven was separated. It was the rat that bit a crack and let the air in. Happy Chinese New Year, and welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey! Chinese New Year falls on Monday, February 8th this year, and I thought it would be fun to share the story behind the Chinese zodiac animals. The mythological story is about a great race, during which the order of the 12 zodiac animals was determined. For more Lunar New Year and cultural stories, you can see the book recommendations for 2020. Image by cdn.powerofpositivity.com. The Great Race The Story of the 12 Chinese Animal Birth Signs Chinese Zodiac . More Chinese Lunar New Year Resources: 12 Chinese Animal Signs Activity & Culture playbook Greetings & Crafts playbook 12 Chinese Animal Just as the ox was about to win the race, the rat leapt on his head and on to the bank to finish first. 'Well done,' said the Jade Emperor to the proud rat. 'The first year of the zodiac will be named after you.' The poor ox had been tricked into second place and the second year of the zodiac was named after him. Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese calendar year, and each year is named after an animal. This tale of the Chinese zodiac is an animal story based on the great race. Add it to your collection of short bedtime stories for kids. The story goes that a race was organised by the Jade Emperor - one of the most important gods in traditional Chinese religion - who invited all the animals in the world to take part. The story of the Chinese Zodiac Animal Race determines the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and their orders. service@chinatravel.com 86-773-286-5632 (Intl rates apply) 春节快乐 Happy Chinese New Year 2023The Jade Emperor in China decides that there must be a way to measure time. So he comes up with a plan for a Great Race. The 🎉 Zodiac Origin Story | The Story of the Great Race for Kids! | Lunar New Year 🐇Have you ever wondered how the Chinese Zodiac came to be? 🌟 Dive into the A traditional story for Chinese New Year explaining the use of animals in the calendar. The swimming race was almost over. ‘First year in the Chinese calendar goes to the Rat!’ announced Learn how the Zodiac years were named by the Jade Emperor.Visit CBeebies at to find even more fun games and videos for your pre Join us for a story time reading of "The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac" by Dawn Casey! The Chinese zodiac is a twelve year cycle with each year named after an animal. According to legend, the order and animals chosen for the zodiac was decided ‘Well done, rat! The first year will be the Year of the Rat and the second will be the Year of the Ox. ‘Look! Here’s the tiger. He’s very tired. The third year will be the Year of the Tiger. ‘The rabbit can’t swim but he’s very clever. The fourth year will be the Year of the Rabbit. ‘Why are you late, dragon? You can fly!’ 🔴 The Story of the Chinese Zodiac free worksheet 🔴 Chinese New Year Activities: 🔴 Grammar Activities Celebrate Chinese New Year and learn how every animal earned its place in the Chinese zodiac by taking part in the Great Race! Discover who will come first t A story often told during Chinese New Year is how the 12 zodiacs were chosen – also known as the great race. One day, the Jade Emperor, ruler of all gods within Chinese mythology, announced to all the animals on the planet that he will host a race. The first 12 to finish the race will be chosen to join him in the imperial palace.
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