Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Dog
Pig
Unlike Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac is based on years instead of month and date. It is a 12 year cycle that begins in January and ends in February. In Chinese astrology, there are also 12 zodiac signs that are represented by animals. Each animal has their attributes that are believed to influence a person's personality, career, and fortune.
The story begins with the Jade Emperor, who was one of the gods in traditional Chinese religion. The Jade Emperor invited 12 animals to take part in a race. The reward for the race would be a year dedicated to each animal, which was determined by the order they finished.
On this race, all the animals had to cross a huge river. The Rat was the first to approach and wasn't able to get across because of the strong current, so there it waited and waited. Finally, came the Ox, which the Rat jumped on their back in order to cross. The Ox did not mind and they both made it across the river. Once reaching the other side, the Rat jumped off and dashed to the finish line making it in first place and given first year in the twelve year cycle making the Ox second.
Next, in third and fourth place came the Tiger and Rabbit, both fast and competitive, it was a close race between the two. The Rabbit could not handle the current and had to cross by hopping onto stones and a floating log to get across. While the Tiger was able to swim thorough the river quickly, it came in third place and shortly after the Rabbit crossed the finish line coming in fourth.
Surprisingly, the Dragon finished fifth because everyone thought they'd come in first since they could fly. Although the Dragon looked scary and thought to be dangerous it was very gentle and kind. During the race, the Dragon had to stop to help some villagers and as it was approaching the river it saw Rabbit on a log going in the wrong direction and decided to give them a puff of air to get him back on track.
The Snake came in sixth by hiding behind the Horse's foot and as they both were approaching the finish line, it slithered out scarying the Horse and crossed the line first, making the Horse seventh.
The next three worked together to make it across and once on shore, Goat (in some parts of the world known as Sheep) took eigth place. The Monkey followed being ninth and Rooster taking tenth place.
Finally, there is the Dog and the Pig. Dog got distracted splashing and playing in the river that it gave the other animals a chance to cross the finish line first, making the Dog take eleventh place. Pig got hungry during the race, stopped to eat and fell asleep. When it finally woke up all the animals had already finished, right before the Jade Emperor almost called the race there was an "oink" sound and the Pig finished last.