There are several legends about how the animals were chosen for the Chinese zodiac. This is one of them. The Jade Emperor is the name of the Emperor of Heaven.
Long ago, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals across the fast flowing river would be the winners and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.
All the animals lined up along the river bank. The rat and the cat, who were good friends, were worried because they were poor swimmers. Being clever they asked the strong ox if he would carry them across the river.
‘Of course’ said the kind ox. ‘Just climb on my back and I will take you across. The rat and the cat quickly jumped up and were very excited when the ox soon took the lead in the race. They had almost reached the other bank when the rat pushed the cat into the river leaving him to struggle in the water. Then just before 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.
Shortly after the exhausted tiger clawed his way to the river bank to claim third place. Swimming across the river had been an enormous struggle for him against the strong currents. The Emperor was so delighted with his efforts that he named the third year after him.
Next to arrive was the rabbit, who hadn’t swum across at all. He hopped across on some stepping stones and then found a floating log which carried him to the shore.
‘I shall be very happy to call the fourth year after you,’ the surprised Jade Emperor explained.
Dragon Just then a kind dragon swooped down to take fifth place.
‘Why didn’t you win the race, as you can fly as well as swim?’ the Jade Emperor asked.
‘I was held up because some people and animals needed water to drink. I needed to make some rain,’ the dragon explained. ‘Then when I was nearly here I saw a poor little rabbit on a log in the water and I blew a puff of wind so that the log would float to the river bank.’
‘Well that was very kind of you and now you are here you will have the fifth year of the zodiac named after you.’
The next thing the Jade Emperor heard was the sound of the horse’s hooves. Just as he was thinking the horse would be the next animal to arrive, a sneaky snake wriggled out from around one of the horse’s hooves. The horse was so surprised that he jumped backwards giving the snake a chance to take the sixth place in the race. The poor horse had to be satisfied with seventh place.
Not long afterwards a raft arrived carrying the goat, the monkey and the rooster. They explained to the Emperor how they had shared the raft that the rooster had found. The goat and monkey had cleared weeds and pushed the raft to the shore. The Emperor was very pleased that the animals had worked together.
He said the goat would be the eighth zodiac animal, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth.
The next animal to finish was the dog.
‘Why are you so late when you are one of the best swimmers?’ asked the Jade Emperor.
‘The water in the river was so clean that I had to have a bath on the way,’ explained the dog.
His reward was to have the eleventh year named after him.
Now there was one place left in the zodiac and the Emperor wondered when the last winner would come. He had nearly given up when he heard a grunt from the boar.
‘You took a long time to cross the river,’ said the Emperor to the boar.
‘I was hungry and stopped to eat,’ explained the boar. ‘After the meal I felt so tired that I fell asleep.’
‘You have still done well,’ said the Jade Emperor. ‘The last year of the zodiac will be named after you.’
The cat swimming to shore. As for the cat who had been pushed into the water by the rat, he finally crawled out of the water but was too late to have a year named after him. He felt very cross with the rat and since then cats have never been friends with rats.
From that day to this the Chinese Zodiac has followed this cycle of years named after these twelve animals.
Have you put in your birth date yet to see which one you are supposed to be like?
Happy Chinese New Year SMS, Happy Chinese New Year Quotes, Happy Chinese New Year Sayings, Popular Chinese New Year SMS on Chinese Day Celebration.
“Happy Chinese New Year 2008”
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“Gong Xi Fa Cai!” / “Kung Hei Fat Choy
Wishing you enlarge your wealth”
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“Kong Xi Fa Cai, Make your great dreams come true this chinese new year!”
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“Wishing You and Your Family A Happy Joyful New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!”
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“Gong xi fa cai,xin nian kuai le
wish u all 2 be prosperous, Happy new year!”
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“Zhu ni xin nian kuai le, wan shi ru yi, long ma jing shen !!”
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“Xin Zheng Ru Yi Xin Nian Fa Cai”
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“Happy Chinese New Year to Everybody!”
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“Without Happy — dayz are “sadday,
moanday,
tearsday,
wasteday,
thirsday,
frightday,
shatterday”
So be happy everyday. Happy New Year!”
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“New Year,
New Vision,
New Spirit,
New Hope,
New Fresh.
All in NEW must be BETTER, do the BEST. Happy New Year. ”
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“When u ask god 4 a gift, be thankful if he sends.. not diamonds, not pearls, nor riches, but d love of real people around u! Happy New Year! ”
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“Yesterday is a history,2day is a gift n 2morrow is mistery..so welcome the new year with joy,love,faith n peacefull ”
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“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
–Bill Vaughan
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“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.”
–Charles Lamb
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“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.”
–Oprah Winfrey
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“New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”
–Mark Twain
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“Happiness is too many things these days for anyone to wish it on anyone lightly. So let’s just wish each other a bile-less New Year and leave it at that.”
–Judith Crist
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“Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.”
–Anonymous
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“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!”
–Joey Adams
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“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called “Opportunity” and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
–Edith Lovejoy Pierce
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“A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to the world!”
–Charles Dickens
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“Resolve to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution
to the fund of general enjoyment.”
–Sydney Smith
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“Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you. But your Happy New Year dependson what you do for others.”
–Anonymous
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“Certain corpuscles, denominated Christmas Books, with the ostensible intention of swelling the tide of exhilaration, or other expansive emotions, incident upon the exodus of the old and the inauguration of the New Year.”
–William Makepeace Thackeray
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“Every new year people make resolutions to change aspects of themselves they believe are negative. A majority of people revert back to how they were before and feel like failures. This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.”
–Aisha Elderwyn
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“He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.”
–F. M. Knowles, A Cheerful Year Book
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“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”
–G. K. Chesterton
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“We meet today
To thank Thee for the era done,
And Thee for the opening one”
–John Greenleaf Whittier
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“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.”
–Anais Nin
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“Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
–Oscar Wilde
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“I’m a little bit older, a little bit wiser, a little bit rounder, but still none the wiser.”
–Robert Paul
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“A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.”
–Anonymous
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“From New Year’s on the outlook brightens; good humor lost in a mood of failure returns. I resolve to stop complaining.”
–Leonard Bernstein
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“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”
–G. K. Chesterton
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“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
–T. S. Eliot
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“Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer,
With never a thought of sorrow;
The old goes out, but the glad young year
Comes merrily in tomorrow”
–Emily Miller
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“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
–Benjamin Franklin
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“A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I’ve played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.”
–Edgar A. Guest
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“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. Thatshall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.”
–Minnie L. Haskins
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“This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!”
–William Arthur Ward
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“What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That’s not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that’s the burden of a year.”
–Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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“Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth”
–Martin Luther
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“Each age has deemed the new born year
The fittest time for festal cheer”
–Walter Scott
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“Of all sound of all bells, the most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.”
–Charles Lamb
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“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.”
–Irish toast
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“And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
–When Harry Met Sally, the movie
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“With all the Rose’s Perfume with all the lights in the world with all the children’s Smiles…I Wish U that ur all dreams comes True..*HAPPY New Year 2008*”
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“May The Year 2008 Bring for You Happiness,Success and filled with Peace,Hope and Togetherness of your Family and Friends….Wishing You a…*HAPPY NEW YEAR* ”
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“Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.”
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“Fresh Air….
Fresh Idea….
Fresh Talent….
Fresh Energy….
I wish U to have a …..
Sweetest Sunday,
Marvellous Monday,
Tasty Tuesday,
Wonderful Wednesday,
Thankful Thursday,
Friendly Friday,
Successful Saturday.
Have a great Year. HAPPY NEW YEAR”
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“Each moment in a day has its own value. Morning brings HOPE, Afternoon brings FAITH, Evening brings LOVE, Night brings REST, Hope you will all of them everyday. HAPPY NEW YEAR”
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“My wishes for you, Great start for Jan, Love for Feb, Peace for march, No worries for April, Fun for May, Joy for June to Nov, Happiness for Dec, Have a lucky and wonderful 2008.”
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“May this new year bring many opportunities your way, to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.”
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“Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in thethings that were and are past.”
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“New Year’s Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”
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“The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows.”
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“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
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“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
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“Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.”
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“People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.”
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“And ye, who have met with Adversity’s blast,
And been bow’d to the earth by its fury;
To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass’d
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury –
Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And having obtained a New Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.”
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“Each age has deemed the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer.”
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“Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. ”
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“Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.”
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“A new oath holds pretty well; but… when it is become old, and frayed out, and damaged by a dozen annual retryings of its remains, it ceases to be serviceable; any little strain will snap it.”
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“But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year-old habits.”
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“New Year’s Eve, where auld acquaintance be forgot. Unless, of course, those tests come back positive.”
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“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.”
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“Of all sound of all bells… most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.”
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“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.”
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“He who breaks a resolution is a weakling;
He who makes one is a fool.”
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“Every man regards his own life as the New Year’s Eve of time.”
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“The only way to spend New Year’s Eve is either quietly with friends or in a brothel. Otherwise when the evening ends and people pair off, someone is bound to be left in tears.”
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“Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.”
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“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”
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“No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam.”
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“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.”
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“The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn.”
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“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
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“Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it’s twice as onerous a duty.”
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“Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy new year. May a new year brings better health, more success, happiness and prosperity, with lots of love!”
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“With each passing moments, let us embrace the new year with a brighter, colorful, and joyous future. Happy New Year!”
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“Experiences in life are lessons. Love and care create more power to exist and survive. And may GOD fill our HEARTS with GLADNESS. HAPPY NEW YEAR”
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“Life is like a book, each day has a new page, with adventures to tell,lessons to learn and tales on good deed to remember.
Happy New Year!”
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“Always welcome the new morning with a new spirit, a smile on your face, love in your heart and good thoughts in your mind.
Happy New Year”
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“Today 2 person ask me about u. I gave them your details and contact. they will b looking 4 u soon. their names are Mr HAPPINESS and Ms LUCK. Happy New Year”
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“Sunday went 2 Monday 2 c Tuesday n ask Wednesday whether Thursday has told Friday thatSaturday is NEW YEAR. Happy NEW YEAR”
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“Days are too busy…
Hours are too few…
Seconds are too fast…
but there is always a time for me to say..
Happy new year..”
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“GOD never takes a day off to love, to care, to guide and blessed all of you every moment of your lives n your families. Happy New year”
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“Yesterday is a memory, today is a gift, tomorrow is a hope. Let’s begin new year with faith, love, and peace. Wishing u all the best! Happy new Year!”
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“A New year
A New Start
A New Chapter
A New Beginning
Forget the bad
Cherist the GOOD
I sincerely wish u a very blessed new year ahead. happy new year”
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“Its a brand new year! wishing u an endless happiness, fortunes and peace in years to come”
2009 will be an encouraging and positive year but the Rat will need to keep his eye on the world around him in order to avoid unnecessary pressures. Training and learning new skills in their careers will ensure financial security over the coming months and increased self-confidence. On the home front, this will be an excellent year for the Rat with at least one happy family occasion and
if they can manage it, an enjoyable family holiday. Romantically, this is the year to make great progress whether to meet someone new or take things to a new level with a special partner. May to September will be very favourable for socialising with September to December being important career-wise.
The Ox
The Ox sees overall improvements in his situation during his own year in 2009. The main area of enjoyment will be the interaction with others, either with friends and family or on a more romantic level. A key phrase to bear in mind this year is ‘hold fast’. There may be setbacks and delays in the general run of life, but keep calm and persist and all will be well. There will be an opportunity
to study and learn (in common with other signs this year) which should appeal to the Ox and there will be a huge sense of pride with what is achieved. Between May and July there are significant developments on the work front, in particular important talks with a boss or superior, while September to November sees very interesting and delightful romantic encounters!
The Tiger
2009 will be a challenging year for the Tiger, but it definitely lays the foundation for 2010 which is his own year. Discipline, concentration and focus will be of paramount importance to the Tiger this year. Keeping their eye on the end goal and dreams will stand to them throughout the year. Financial issues must be addressed seriously and spending should be done wisely. Romantically February to July could be very exciting but discretion must be used! The end of the year, November and December, will present excellent career opportunities for those Tigers ready to move up the job ladder.
The Rabbit
Slow and steady – this is how 2009 will progress for most Rabbits. Travel will also feature prominently in between a busy social life and an increased workload at their job. Friends and family mean the world to the Rabbit and their support and love this year will be especially important. Single Rabbits will likely meet a potential partner in a social situation and all will find that August and
September sparkle romantically! Careerwise, November is the best month to put themselves forward for a well-earned promotion or payrise. Artistic Rabbits could be approached regarding an exciting new project.
The Dragon
Most Dragons will have an increase in income during 2009 which will be very welcome. They will be strong and focussed in pursuing their objectives for the year. Dragons should take their time and appreciate any valuable advice they are given. Time should be made to enjoy hobbies and fun activities. Gossip could feature strongly during the year and all Dragons should take care not to indulge in idle chit chat lest in backfires on them! Socially, May to August will be a fun time with many Dragons taking their romances more seriously. March and April will bring intriguing job offers for those seeking a change in direction.
The Snake
For the Snake, 2009 will be quite fast-paced and demanding and they will need to remain flexible and positive to enjoy it. Romance features strongly and for the single Snake, this could be the year to start a serious relationship. Financially, impulse buys should be kept under control and risks should be minimised. 2009 will be an excellent year for self-discovery and reviewing recreational interests and hobbies. April to June will present great social opportunities and new friendships. October and November will shine on the work front.
The Horse
2009 will see the Horse making excellent progress in whatever area of his life he chooses. Finances will feature in a positive way as well with a possible increase in income. They should take care, however, to manage their money wisely and make plans. Balance needs to be maintained between work time and leisurely pursuits in order to stay healthy and centered. The Horse will have a tendency to overdo things this year. January to March will be fortuitous for changing jobs while April and December will favor romantic pursuits – for those attached, these months could bring news of an engagement!
The Goat
The Goat need not feel on his own in 2009 as there will be much support and friendship to help him in this busy year. With so much going on in all areas of his life, the Goat would do well to plan ahead and take his time in making decisions. Money-wise, the Goat needs to curb his enthusiasm for spending and exercise some self-discipline or problems may arise later! July to September will present many social events and possibilities for love and romance. Short trips and travel are well aspected in August and October for all Goats.
The Monkey
The Monkey’s fine creative streak can be put to excellent use in 2009 if he concentrates on one task at a time rather than attempting many projects at once. With keeping so busy, the Monkey needs to watch his own health and allow adequate time for work, rest and fun. On the home front, there may be celebrations and happy family gatherings throughout the year. The Monkey’s love life will shine also with many getting engaged or meeting someone very special. March to July will be particularly busy socially. November will be an excellent time for work-related promotions or recognition.
The Rooster
2009 will run along the themes of enthusiasm, planning and determination, all of which suit the Rooster perfectly! At home and with family, life will run much smoother and will be a source of happiness and security for all Roosters. Money matters are well starred also this year with either a pay rise, a surprise bonus or both! Hobbies and travelling look prominent as well, with pleasant
pursuits greatly enjoyed during the year. July to September will favor career moves and travel is highlighted towards October.
The Dog
The Dog will find a busier social life and more friends during 2009. This will be a challenging year on the work front, but Dogs should take a deep breath, be patient and remain steadfast. Solid foundations are being built for the very favorable Year of the Tiger in 2010. Travel will be particularly enjoyable and home life will be very special in 2009. October to December will be very
interesting regarding new job opportunities. May and November will see romance beautifully highlighted with many happy social get-togethers.
The Pig
2009 should prove to be a lucky and encouraging year for all Pigs. Interesting offers and chance meetings can occur at any time of the year and the Pig needs to be alert and aware for any lucky breaks. With such a hectic year, it’s important for the Pig to make time for fun and relaxation and travel may be one way to do this. It’s also an excellent year to review his diet and fitness regime, as he needs to be in top form for such an active schedule. April to July will bring happy times for love and relationships, while August and September bring interesting offers on the work front, particularly in relation to publishing and writing.
