12生肖：The 12-Year Animal Cycle opposite, legend, decided, animals, history

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The history of using 12-year animal cycles to record the years in China dates back to 100 A.D.  Each year is represented by an animal and the 12 animals are mouse, ox,  tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and  pig.

As to the order of these 12 animals, there is a legend. Every one  among the 12 wants to be placed first of the cycle. Hence, a fairy  proposes a contest: the order will be decided by the places in the  competition that reaching the opposite bank of the river. Unknown to the  ox, the rat jumps upon his back at the very beginning. As the ox is  about to go ashore, rat jumps off his back and wins the race. As to the  pig, he becomes the last one for his laziness.



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