The Zodiac New Year Animals: A Fanciful Legend

As the Chinese New Year approaches, people around the world are preparing for a celebration of feasting, gift-giving, and merriment. But have you ever wondered how this festive holiday came to be? According to ancient legend, it was God himself who brought together 12 animals to participate in a grand banquet. In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating story of how these creatures became an integral part of Chinese New Year celebrations.

The legend begins with God, who had grown tired of his solitary existence on top of a mountain. One day, a curious cat paid him a visit, and the two quickly became fast friends. But their friendship was not without its challenges. A rat, once a close companion to the cat, began to betray him, leading to a rift between the two animals.

As the years passed, God decided it was time to bring together 13 animals for a grand celebration – the Chinese New Year. He invited each of them, including the dog and pig, who were known for their lazy nature. The dragon, however, had other plans. He insisted on bringing rain to crops and helping the people before participating in the festivities.

Meanwhile, the rat was determined to win first place in the Zodiac race. He cleverly rode on the back of an ox, pretending to be asleep, but ultimately woke up just in time to claim victory. The ox, unaware of the rat's deception, continued running, and the two animals eventually crossed the finish line together.

In the end, it was God who decided that 12 positions were needed for his Chinese New Year celebration. And so, the 12 animals – including the rat, dog, pig, and dragon – gathered at the banquet table to feast and celebrate the beginning of a new year.

The cat, however, remained absent from the festivities, still pining for its former friend, the rat. The mischievous rat, aware of this, told his neighbor, the cat, that the banquet was actually taking place the day after tomorrow. Long ago, God had announced to all the animals that he would be hosting a banquet the very next day – but it seems that not everyone received the correct information.

In the end, the Chinese New Year celebration became an annual tradition, with people around the world honoring the 12 animals and their roles in this legendary story. And so, as we prepare for another year of feasting and merriment, let us remember the whimsical tale of God, the cat, and the rat – a testament to the power of friendship, deception, and celebration.

Zodiac new year animals