Chinese New Year Animals History

This is the most widespread chinese zodiac legend.

Chinese new year animals history. In order the 12 chinese horoscope animals are. The lion like monster s name was nian 年 which is also the chinese word for year. Chinese new year celebrations were born out of fear and myth.

Those who are born in the year of the rat are known to have a quick witted resourceful versatile and kind personality trait. The tiger had some trouble crossing the river. The first year in the chinese zodiac calendar is therefore named the year of the rat after the cunning rat and the second year is the year of the ox.

The beginning of a new year in china is marked with elaborate celebrations as people usher in the start of a new year animal. Rat ox tiger rabbit dragon snake horse goat monkey rooster dog pig. The jade emperor the emperor in heaven in chinese folklore ordered that animals would be designated as calendar signs and the twelve that arrived first would be selected.

Hence the rat was the first to arrive followed by the ox. The centuries old legend of the origins of the chinese new year celebration varies from teller to teller but every telling includes a story of a terrible mythical monster preying on villagers. Other years of the rat include.

Chinese new year has enjoyed a history of about 3 500 years. 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 and 2008. The rat rings in the chinese new year for the year 2020.

On the night of new year s eve the year would come out to harm animals people and their properties. These animals include the tiger the rat the rabbit the sheep the dragon the pig the ox the horse the dog the monkey the snake and the rooster. The date for the ceremony wasn t fixed till the han dynasty 202 bc 220 ad when emperor wudi commanded to use the lunar calendar.