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More than 30,000
years ago, Chinese ancestors invented the 10 Tian Gan (or heavenly
stems) and 12 Di Zhi (or 12 earthly branches) for chronological purpose.
Later,people used 12 animals to symbolize the 12 earthly branches in
order to make things easier to memorize and the animals in order are the
mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster,
dog and pig.
You
might found out that many Chinese people strongly believe that the time
of a person's birth is primary factor in determining that person's
characteristics. According to one legend, Buddha invited all the animals
to his kingdom, but unfortunately, only a total of 12 turned up, the
mouse was naturally the first, followed by the ox, then tiger, the
rabbit and so on. Out of gratitude, Buddha decided to name the year
after each of the animals in their order of arrival. It is essential in
China that every person knows which animal sign he is born under and
most of Chinese truly believe that the signs reveal the hidden secrets
of a person's character. |
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