One of the most important festivals in the Chinese Lunar calendar is the New Year.  There have been at least two different methods of determining the first day of the Lunar Year.  However, present day Chinese follow the practice of the Hsia Dynasty (c. 21st to 16th century BC) in taking the first day of the first moon as the beginning of the Lunar year.  It ends on the last day of the twelfth moon. 

The origin of the twelve lunar animals is a mystery.  One legend said that Buddha summoned all animals before he left the earth.  Only twelve came to bid him farewell.  As a reward, Buddha endowed each of the twelve animals with a year in the order of their arrival.  They are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, cockerel, dog and pig, in chronological order.  They are now known as the "Twelve Lunar Animal Symbols".  All are real animals except the dragon was created from mythology.

According to ancient Chinese beliefs, the rat is the first entry in the Chinese zodiac, and enjoys a prime position among the 12 animals.  It also represents the beginning of a new prosperous year.  There are many legends about the rat being the first among the 12 lunar animals.  And odd legend said that in the primeval period, the sky and the land were in a confusion.  It was the rat which bit the confusion and separated the sky and the land.  To herald its contributions, it was placed in the first position of the Chinese zodiac.  Another legend told that in a competition among animals, the ox was the first originally.  However, the rat climbed on the back of the ox and jumped down before the ox to get the first in order.  Thus the rate became the first entry in the Chinese zodiac.

Throughout the centuries, rat usually inhabited in man's home, especially in the wealthy ones with abundant foodstuff storage.  The congregation of rats, therefore, reflected the affluence of a family.  the rat has long been regarded as an auspicious animal in the ancient Chinese legends.  According to a famous Chinese tale, a rat's blessing will make your dream come true: having affluent life and auspicious fortune.

"Marriage of the Daughter of the Rat on the third day of the Lunar Year" is an interesting folklore among the Chinese.  People usually go to bed early that night so as to offer a venue for the rat to have wedding ceremony.  Grains and salt are sprinkled in the corners of the house.  This custom is an aspiration for better harvest so that they will have surplus to share with the rat.  It is a popular motif for Lunar New Year's handicraft.

People born in the Year of the Rat are generally considered to be optimistic, sociable and sentimental.  They are honest and sincere, and cherish their friendship, which is taken to explain why they may be so popular.  They also adapt easily to a new environment.  Besides these attributes, Rat people have critical minds and are rich in imaginations.

Throughout the centuries, having served a a faithful beast upon which farmers heavily depended in tilling the soil, the ox is preferred not to be slaughtered.  The wealth of a farmer is represented by the number of oxen he owns.  The ox is so important to the Chinese that the fifth day of the Lunar New Year is dedicated to the birthday of the ox.

The ox symbolized the coming of spring.  The body of the ox in the "Spring Ox Picture" in the Chinese Almanac is divided into different colored parts according to the "Heavenly Stems" and the "Earthly Branches".  The Spring God of the picture will appear in the form of a child or an old man according to the "Earthly Branches".  It helps much for the farmers to predict the weather and the harvest in the following year.  In ancient times in northern China, the procession of Spring Ox was a vital rite at the start of the farming year to pray for the best possible harvest.

The ox played an important role in Chinese mythology.  The most famous tale is the Double Seventh Festival in which the Cowherd, with the help of the immortal ox, won the heart of the Weaving Maid and became couples.  However, their marriage made the gods angry and the Weaving Maid was ordered to return to the Heaven immediately.  The ox then advised the Cowherd to become an immortal, too.  Nevertheless, the Queen of Heaven drew the Milky Way with her hairpin to keep them apart.  Finally, moved by their true love, the King of Heaven allowed them to meet once a year - on the seventh day of the seventh moon.

The ox was also regarded as a symbol of peace.  According to the Book of Rites when the Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty (1122 - 256 BC) reigned, the people abandoned factional fighting and settled down to enjoy a peaceful life.  In this peaceable atmosphere oxen were herded in the Peach Blossom Forest.  From that time, artists started to use the theme of herding ox to symbolize peace and harmony.

People born in the Year of the Ox are dependable, calm and methodical.  They ar hard-working and patient who achieve their goals through tenacity and dedication.  Their steady and trustworthy character makes them capable of great achievements, even at a late stage in life.

Chinese regard the Tiger as the King of the Animals as of its unrivaled majesty and bravery.  Tiger was adored by the Chinese for its strength.  Therefore, Tiger is one of the Twelve Chinese Lunar Animal Symbols that is honored by the Chinese.

The Tiger is one of the "Four Animals", which are miraculous animals used by Chinese to represent the four directions and the four seasons.  They are the Green Dragon, The White Tiger, the Red Bird, and the Black Tortoise.  The Tiger is used to represent the West and the autumn.  It also signifies a blooming season.  In the Chinese mythology, the Tiger was born from the fallen star which ranked the first in the Dipper.  Classic book told that the Tiger and the Dragon were the respective commanders of the Wind and the Cloud.

In the ancient beliefs, the Tiger was the Spirit of the Land God and served as the ride for it.  The vigor and the vitality of the Tiger have made it a sign for progression.  The Tiger was also believed to have the power to expel the evils and the disasters.  That's why people liked to hang up the Tiger pictures on the door to pray for the advancement of their next generations.  People also placed the statue of Tiger in front of the doors and made the clothes in the pattern of the tiger skin for their children, in the hope that it could help distract the evils.  According to the Chinese famous medicine book "Chinese Material Mediaca", taking fried tiger skin could cure stroke and malaria.  In the past, Chinese liked to choose a name with the Chinese character for "Tiger", to bless their children to be as agile and outstanding as the Tiger.

Chinese treasured much for the skin of the Tiger.  The generals in the past liked to use the tiger skin as their sitting pad, as they thought it was the best symbol to show their bravery.  Even now, the skin of the Tiger is of a very best quality material in making belts, shoes, coats and bags.

People born in the Year of the Tiger are brave and strong as tigers.  They dare to oppose the strong and protect the weak.  They are optimistic, frank, confident and resolute.  They are capable leaders and are positive in advancement.

Among the twelve lunar animals, the rabbit is the mildest and lovelies, Being tender, submissive and intelligent in nature, the rabbit is one of the most popular pets.  The rabbit is inborn timid but it can get away from danger easily with its perfect senses of smell and hearing.  The rabbit runs so quickly that it gained the reputation of "Quick Rabbit".  The rabbit shows its cleverness in making various holes ot keep safe from attack.  A Chinese idiom, "A wily rabbit has several exits to its burrow" came from this characteristic of rabbit.

Rabbit is a symbol of longevity.  It was said that rabbit can live one thousand years.  Among Chinese tales, there was a rabbit specializing in pounding medicine in the moon.  In the Mid-Autumn Festival, people prayed to the moon for panacea to prolong their lives.  In ancient times, there was a decor handmade in rubber, named "God of Rabbit".  People took the rabbit as an auspicious sign, too.  The appearance of the rabbit signified a clean and clear political atmosphere.  The Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty witnessed the presence of the rabbit and so built a Temple of the Rabbit to worship the rabbit.

There were many touching legends about rabbit.  One of them told: Buddha was exhausted after preaching around all day long.  All the forest dwellers offered abundance ;of food to relieve his hunger.  The rabbit came with nothing because of its poverty.  It said to Buddha, Master, I have nothing to offer but myself."  Then it leapt into a fire.  As a reward, Buddha decreed that the rabbit's image should adorn the face of the moon, as a shining example for all eternity.  Also, in one of his many rebirths, Buddha was born as a rabbit.

People born in the year of the Rabbit was mild, calm, elegant and kind.   They are peace lovers and do not like competition.  With their eloquence, wit and sociability, they enjoy great popularity.  They are sensitive and adaptable to the environment.  They can remain clam when facing adversity.  They work circumspectly and efficiently with strong sense of responsibility and loyalty.  Longing to perfection, they are natural born artists and designers.

The Dragon is the noblest creature of all in China.  It is the symbol of good fortune and supreme power.  In fact, the Chinese people are known as descendants of the Dragon.

The first recorded appearance of the Dragon is said to have occurred in the reign of Fushi (BC 2852-2737).  The Dragon appeared as a dragon/horse to Fuhsi and presented him with mystic scrolls.

The Dragon is represented in Chinese history as the emblem of Spring and the East; as a water god soaring in the clouds and pouring his blessings on the parched earth; as a mystic power residing in mountains and hills and, finally, as a symbol of Imperial Power in China.  When Qing Shi Huang (the emperor who built the Great Wall) became emperor, he called himself "Zhu Lung".  The Dragon's image decorated the royal standard and the coinage of the realm.

The Dragon's advent is a happy omen, heralding good government, peace, prosperity and virtuous men.  It is regarded by some as a fabulous creature and by others as a deity, symbolic of rain, rain clouds, thunder and lightning.  The Dragon is specially supplicated in times of drought or flood.

According to Chinese legend, the Dragon has the magical ability to render itself visible or invisible.  The Dragon can also change at will; up or down, big or small, bright or obscure, long or short.  At the Spring Equinox it rises high in the skies; at the Autumnal Equinox it buries itself in rivers or in the depths of the ocean.  It bears on its forehead a peculiar mark called ch'ih-muh.  Only those Dragons which bear this mark can ascend to the skies.  The pearl underneath its chin is called the Dragon pearl, which has magical powers to overcome all evils.

It is also believed that the Dragon has the following nine characteristics (the nine resemblances:
 

horns of a deer                            claws of a hawk
head of a horse                            pads of a tiger
eyes of a rabbit                            ears of a cow
neck of a snake                            viscera of a tortoise
scales of a fish

The snake has inspired great fascination in China.  Mythical stores about snakes abound in Chinese folklore; from the almighty "divine snake" and the bizarre "two-headed snake" to the "White Snake" which took a female human form and had a romantic encounter with a scholar.

The Chinese people regard the snake with considerable dread and reverence, and prefer to keep themselves at a respectful distance, even though most snakes are timid in nature and would flee at the sight of men.  Probably because of its peculiar shape and way of life, the snake has for centuries symbolized treachery and evil.

Chinese legends attribute many bizarre habits to the snake.  It is said to drink dew, move about in the fog and exhale vapour to form clouds.  Snakes are believed to hear through their eyes, and there is a story of a snake capable of swallowing an elephant.

Snakes also symbolize the Ying (female) characteristics.  Hence it is said that when a pregnant woman dreams of a snake, she will give birth to a girl.  The snake is also said to mix promiscuously with turtles producing non-serpentine hybrids.

The snake is believed to be a guardian of treasure.  According to a Chinese myth the four quarters of the universe are ruled by deities taking the form of animals.  The ruler of the north is the Dark Warrior ("Xuan Wu") represented by a snake entwined with a turtle.  The snake is also featured in numerous stores as a grateful creature which always repays a kindness of favour.

Despite the fear the Chinese people may have for the snake, those who have taken a fancy to culinary art, in particular the people from Guangdong Province, regard the snake's gall bladder as a valuable medicine and snake's meat as a delicious dish with a special tonic effect.

There is no doubting the overwhelming popularity of the Horse.  No creature has worked harder, or longer, for mankind.  For centuries, the horse was the brave companion of Emperors - showing his sure-footed superiority, his stamina and loyalty in times of battle or of peace.  He has been immortalized in classic sculptures and paintings that hold pride of place in museums and private collections the world over.

The Chinese regard the goat, along with its cousins - the sheep and the lamb as auspicious animals.  It was said that in the Warring states Period (403 - 222BC), five saints riding on five rams visited the city of Guangzhou, and some paddy stalks were left for the people of Guangzhou as a sign of good harvest.  Since then the goat is related to the meaning of good luck and prosperity.

Other qualities which the Chinese ascribe to the goat are courage and loyalty.  In the Han Dynasty (140 - 87 BC), an official called Su Wu was sent to a battle, but he was captured by the enemies and held to herd goats and sheep in a cold bleak area in North China.  During his captivity, he was inspired by the sheep's endurance of hardship.

For centuries, virtues of the lam like sociability, gentleness and piety are brought out by many ancient aphorism.  Because of these find qualities, goats and sheep were, from the earliest times, featured in Chinese art - for example, as a motif in the celadon wares of the Six Dynasties period (Approx. 300 BC) on which the animals is often shown kneeling, with its two front legs bending backwards.

Monkey is generally considered to be highly intelligent and regarded as an auspicious animal.

In the Ming Dynasty novel "The Pilgrimage to the West", the Monkey God - "Qi-Tian Da-Sheng" was featured as a creature of fun and frolic, whose mischievous disposition was matched by sharp wit, versatility and utter fearlessness in face of all difficulties.

The tale covers the journey from China to India to fetch the Buddhist scriptures.  With the Monkey went two monks and a pig, and their adventures delight Chinese children to this day.

Prior to the journey, Monkey had led a disreputable life in which he crated havoc with his antics.  As a punishment, he was sent by the "Emperor of Heaven" to keep watch over the Imperial Peach Trees which produced fruit only once in every 6,000 years.  But on the eve of the long-awaited heavenly peach banquet, Monkey ate the lot.  The despairing "Emperor of Heaven" handed him over to "Rulia" or Buddha - and he was sent off to the hard journey to India.

This novel not only gave the Monkey King a special place in the hearts of all Chinese children but also elevated him to a deity.  The Monkey God is worshipped as "Great Sage Equal to Heaven", or "Qi-Tian Da-Sheng" (Ch'i-t'en Ta-Sheng), and he is believed to bring health, happiness and peace to the household.

The word "Monkey", pronounced in Chinese as "Hou", is homophonous with that of "Marquis", the second highest rank amongst the officials of the old imperial court.  Because of this, the monkey was favourite decorative motif in porcelain decoration and paintings of many dynasties.

Many Chinese idioms which consisted of the word "Hou" also carried the meaning of good fortune and moving to a upper position in career.

The monkey is also regarded as a symbol of longevity, with one Chinese writer claiming that it might live for 800 years.

Traditionally, the cockerel is highly praised by the Chinese; and it is considered as one of the "divine birds".  According to the "Miscellaneous Notes on the Poems of Han", the cockerel has the five virtues of literacy, strength, bravery, benevolence and faithfulness.

The cockerel is literate because, like ancient scholars who wore hats  to show their elegance and gentleness, he wears a red comb on his crown.  He is dignified and stately, like a high ranking official.

The cockerel is strong.  His sharp spurs and claws are his weapons.  When he is attached by enemies, he fights with determination and vigour.

The cockerel is brave since he dares to confront and defy his enemies like the eagle, even to the bitter end without flinching.

The cockerel is benevolent because he always informs his comrades when he finds food.  He is gregarious.

The cockerel is faithfully because he guards the night, without failing to crow punctually at dawn everyday.

In ancient times, common folk believed that the cockerel had the power to exorcise evil spirits and prevent disasters, as he was martial-looking and awe-inspiring.  Hence, people liked to decorate their home with cockerel drawings.

The cockerel's greatest contributions to mankind is his herald at dawn.  This awakening heroic spirit serves to motivate and inspire people to be zealous of life, to be strong and to work hard for a bright future.

In various forms of art, the cockerel often appears with other symbolic subjects to present a message which typically involves a Chinese play upon words.  A cockerel standing under sprays of cockscomb flowers represents the wish for merit, fame, fortune and wealth.  A cockerel is often painted as standing on a rock by the side of a bamboo tree to represent the blessing of advancement in one's career and longevity.  This is because the Chinese word for 'bamboo' pronounces the same as the word for 'blessing'; while the rock symbolizes long lasting. 

The cockerel is specially honoured at the Lunar New Year, with the first day of the year being counted as his birthday.  He takes precedence over other domestic animals, human beings and crops, which Chinese lunar calendar birthdays occur over the succeeding seven days.  (1st day for cockerel, 2nd for dog, 3rd for pig, 4th for goat, fifth for ox, six for horse, 7th for man, 8th for crop.)

Throughout the centuries, the dog has been considered as "Man's best friend".  larger hounds have hunted with their masters, and guarded to ensure their safety while the smaller pet dogs have long enjoyed the life of luxury.  It is also a highly regarded animal symbolizing intelligence, loyalty and liveliness.

The special position of small dogs in ancient china arose from the breeding of lap dogs for ladies at court.  The Pekingese and the Tibetan, which originated from the West, were the most popular ones.  the Pekingese may have descended from small dogs sent to the Emperor as gifts from Constantinople at the time when Constantine I reigned the Roman Empire while the Tibetan dog was sent to the Imperial Court as a gift from a Tibetan ruler who was a staunch Buddhist.

The Pekingese and the Tibetan came to be associated with Buddhism with its establishment in China.  It was said that they had been transformed to lion to aid a Buddhist divinity.

In Chinese mythology, the coming of a stray dog into the home brings good luck; if a dog scratches the ground or sleeps on the ash heap, the next day will be dull and rainy; and if the dog eats grass, it will be sunny.

According to ancient Chinese beliefs, the pig was classified as the chief of the six domestic animals.  It has a close relationship with the living of human beings and  regarded as a symbol of prosperity.  Since China was an agricultural society, the economic value of the pig was highly esteemed.

There is an old saying that "take the pig into your house to bring fortune a hundred folds".  The pig is regarded as a symbol of good fortune.  Symbolically, the Chinese character for "Family" is derived from "Pig" in "Home".  thus pig denotes opulence and happiness in homestead.

There are quite a lot of stories about the pig.  The most popular one is in the Ming Dynasty novel "Pilgrimage to the West".  Pigsy, together with the Monkey, accompanied the Buddhist monk Xuan Zhuang in his journey from China to India to fetch the Buddish scriptures.  Pigsy is described as a faithful and chivalrous creature who on many occasions saved the life of his master.  He was finally rewarded by he Buddha with a post in the Western paradise.

People born in the Year of the Pig are generally considered to be optimistic, honest and reliable; they are extremely loyal and make lasting friendships.  They are also thought to be courageous, hardworking and confident leaders.