LUNAR NEW YEAR
Zodiac Animals
The Legend of the
Zodiac Animal
Legend has it that the 12 Zodiac animals were decided by the Jade Emperor with a river-crossing race.
Many animals joined, including the Rat, the Cat, the Snake, the Tiger, and even the Dragon. They each brought their own skills in hopes of being first!
1st Place - Rat
The cunning and creative rat worked together with the OX to cross the river. It jumped to the ground from the Ox’s head at the last second in order to win the race.
2nd Place - Ox
Although it was angry that the rat took advantage of it, the Ox's hard work secured it second place.
3rd Place - Tiger
The Tiger was able to overcome its fear of water and ran to the finish line thinking that it was still king of the forest. Finding out the truth, the Tiger was a little frustrated, but still happily accepted third place.
4th Place - Rabbit
The Rabbit could not swim, but it nimbly jumped over the other animals and crossed the river on its back to get fourth place. (In Vietnam, this Zodiac spot is taken by the Cat!)
5th Place - Dragon
The Dragon, like a great tornado, was ready to win the race! But because it went to save some other deities, it didn't have time to ascend the throne, and ended up in fifth place.
6th Place - Snake
After the Snake crossed to the shore, it used its lightning-fast movement and rushed to the finish line. Neck and neck, it managed to pass the Horse to become sixth.
7th Place - Horse
The Horse galloped through the heavy wind and sand, not noticing the snake because of the dusty air. After unknowingly picking up the Snake on one of its hooves, the Snake was launched ahead to the finish line.
8th Place - Goat
The Goat is a very patient animal. It crossed the river silently, remaining focused even as the Horse passed it, knowing that it would still finish the race in the end.
9th Place - Monkey
The Monkey is smart yet hyperactive. It didn’t stop for a moment, swinging across the river through the trees and vines, telling jokes all the way to the finish line.
10th Place - Rooster
The Rooster woke up very early for the race. But it saw a friend in danger and went to protect them, eventually ending up in tenth place.
11th Place - Dog
Dogs by nature are optimistic, and the Dog was happy to treat the race as a chance to play around and make friends. No matter what place the Dog ended up in, it was happy to accept it.
12th Place - Pig
Of course, the Pig ate while walking, and even ended up taking a nap after it started feeling tired! Naive as the Pig is, it still made it into the 12 animals. After it received the award, the Pig asked if the trophy could be eaten.
The Jade Emperor held this race to make counting our ages easier, and so that we can treasure our unique traits just like these many different animals.
1st Place - Rat
The cunning and creative rat worked together with the OX to cross the river.
It jumped to the ground from the Ox’s head at the last second in order to win the race.
2nd Place - Ox
Although it was angry that the rat took advantage of it,
the Ox’s hard work secured it second place.
3rd Place - Tiger
The Tiger was able to overcome its fear of water and ran to the finish line thinking that it was still king of the forest. Finding out the truth, the Tiger was a little frustrated, but still happily accepted third place.
4th Place - Rabbit
The Rabbit could not swim, but it nimbly jumped over the other animals and crossed the river on its back to get fourth place. (In Vietnam, this Zodiac spot is taken by the Cat!)
5th Place - Dragon
The Dragon, like a great tornado, was ready to win the race! But because it went to save some other deities,
it didn’t have time to ascend the throne, and ended up in fifth place.
6th Place - Snake
After the Snake crossed to the shore, it used its lightning-fast movement and rushed to the finish line.
Neck and neck, it managed to pass the Horse to become sixth.
7th Place - Horse
The Horse galloped through the heavy wind and sand, not noticing the snake because of the dusty air.
After unknowingly picking up the Snake on one of its hooves, the Snake was launched ahead to the finish line.
8th Place - Goat
The Goat is a very patient animal. It crossed the river silently,
remaining focused even as the Horse passed it, knowing that it would still finish the race in the end.
9th Place - Monkey
The Monkey is smart yet hyperactive. It didn’t stop for a moment,
swinging across the river through the trees and vines, telling jokes all the way to the finish line.
10th Place - Rooster
The Rooster woke up very early for the race.
But it saw a friend in danger and went to protect them, eventually ending up in tenth place.
11th Place - Dog
Dogs by nature are optimistic, and the Dog was happy to treat the race as a chance to play around and make friends. No matter what place the Dog ended up in, it was happy to accept it.
12th Place - Pig
Of course, the Pig ate while walking, and even ended up taking a nap after it started feeling tired! Naive as the Pig is, it still made it into the 12 animals. After it received the award, the Pig asked if the trophy could be eaten.
The Jade Emperor held this race to make counting our ages easier,
and so that we can treasure our unique traits just like these many different animals.
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About LunarFest
An annual celebration of the Lunar New Year through arts and storytelling. We invite the diverse communities of Canada to join us in creating new traditions to welcome a new year, together!
LunarFest Vancouver is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered on this land, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples whose cultures and stories inspire us to bring communities together.