The Emperor of China heard many animals arguing about which animal the new year should be named after. His daughter suggested having a race to decide, with the winner determining the name. The clever rat hitched a ride on the ox's back to cross the river first, so the new year was named the Year of the Rat. The emperor then decided to name future new years after the order the other animals finished the race in, establishing the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle.

1. The Chinese
New Year
Story

2. A long time ago, in China, twelve
animals were arguing. Every animal
wanted the New Year to be named
after them.

3. The animals were making so
much noise that the Emperor
of China heard them.

4. The Emperor’s daughter decided
to help. She asked all the
animals why they were arguing.

5. The tiger said “I want the
New Year named after me!”

6. “So do I!”
“So do I!”
“So do I!”
said rat, ox and rabbit.

7. “So do I!”
“So do I!”
“So do I!”
said dragon, snake and horse.

8. “So do I!”
“So do I!”
“So do I!”
said ram, monkey and rooster.

9. “So do I!”
“Me too!”
said dog and pig.

10. The emperor’s daughter was very
clever. She suggested that the
animals should have a race across
the river.
“The New Year will
be named after the
winning animal.”

11. All the animals said “yes!” They
waited on the bank of the river for
the race to begin.

12. “Ready,
steady, go!”
All the animals jumped into the
river and swam as fast as they
could to reach the other side.

13. The ox quickly took the
lead, but the clever rat
jumped on his back!

14. As the ox reached the other side, the
rat jumped onto the grassy bank.
“I am the
winner!”

15. “Well Done,” says the emperor
and his daughter.
“The New
Year will be
the Year of
the rat”

16. Next came the ox, the
tiger and then the rabbit.

17. After that the dragon,
snake and horse arrived.

18. Then came ram, monkey,
rooster, dog and finally pig.

19. When all the animals had finished
the race. The emperor’s daughter
had an idea…

20. “You have all
worked hard. Let
us name the next
eleven years after
the other animals
who finished the
race!”

21. From that day each New Year
has been named after one of
the twelve animals.

22. From that day each New Year
has been named after one of
the twelve animals.

23. Chinese Zodiac Order
1.Rat 1.Horse
2.Ox 2.Ram
3.Tiger 3.Monkey
4.Rabbit 4.Rooster
5.Dragon 5.Dog
6.Snake 6.Pig