![]() Like the Chinese zodiac itself, the legend of the Jade Rabbit has many different origin stories. When a Chinese person looks at the moon, however, they most certainly will see the Jade Rabbit (玉兔 Yùtù) standing under a cassia tree holding a precious elixir. ![]() When Westerners gaze at the 月亮 (yuèliang moon), they may jokingly say that the moon is made out of cheese or that they see the Man in the Moon. The rabbit plays an important part in various ancient Chinese myths and legends. Regardless of its origins, the Chinese zodiac calendar has played and continues to play a significant role in shaping the traditions, holidays, and foods enjoyed in Asian communities all over the globe. These are just two of the countless origin stories that have circulated throughout China and other Asian countries for centuries. Others claim that each animal’s place in the cycle relates to the specific time that each is most active during the day. Some believe it grew out of the story of a Great Race between various animals organized by the Jade Emperor. There is little consensus regarding the origins of the 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar. ![]() These animals, in their order of appearance, are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (also translated as Ram and Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. In Chinese, these 12 zodiac animals are called 12 生肖 (shēngxiào). For those in the know, however, the answer is obvious: it’s referring to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. “Each person has one, each family has several, and the whole world has 12.” Without much knowledge of Chinese culture, guessing the answer to this ancient Chinese riddle is difficult. ![]()
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