The Origin of the Zodiac How did the legend of the China Zodiac come from?

1. Long, long ago, the Jade Emperor decided to choose 12 animals as the animal sign in order to set a time for human beings to belong.

As a result, all animals on the earth have launched a competition for the "Zodiac King". Therefore, on the day when animals meet, rats rank first, followed by cows, tigers, rabbits, dragons, snakes, horses, sheep, monkeys, chickens, dogs and pigs, leading to the ranking of animals as long as 12 years. ?

2. At the end of the Warring States Period, twelve species of cladoches have been found in Qin bamboo slips of Shuihudi and Fangmatan. Their names and the arrangement of branches are generally similar to those of the later zodiac, and their usage and divination logic are also similar to those of the later zodiac. Therefore, it can be inferred that the zodiac in the Qin bamboo slips of Sleeping Tiger Land and Fangmatan is the embryonic form of the later zodiac. The zodiac calendar began in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

3. The ancestors of primitive society often regarded some animal, inanimate or natural phenomenon as the patron saint and symbol of this clan, that is, totem. The mixed image of man and beast in Shan Hai Jing is an ancient totem god. The totem of Xia nationality is bear or fish, the totem of Shang nationality is blackbird, and the totem of Zhou nationality is dragon, bird, turtle, dog and tiger.

Zodiac animals are imaginary except dragons, and the rest are daily visible. It can be divided into two categories, namely "six animals" (horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs and pigs) and "six animals" (rats, tigers, rabbits, dragons, snakes and monkeys). The former was domesticated by people for economic purposes, while the latter disturbed human life to a certain extent, and ancestors were afraid of it. Therefore, these animals are worshipped as the name symbols of this clan.

Extended data:

The value of the zodiac:

Zodiac culture contains rich traditional ideas;

(1) Harmony between Man and Nature: The Zodiac is the image representative of heavenly stems and earthly branches, deeply influenced by the traditional philosophy of Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and embodies the harmony between man and nature.

(2) Ecological consciousness: Animal worship emphasizes the role of animals in human production and life, including simple ecological concepts.

(3) Traditional morality: fables, idioms and literary works insinuate people's moral quality and convey traditional values by praising and lashing animal temperament.

(4) Community awareness: The folk custom of the zodiac has a wide audience, which is regional and national. Everyone celebrates and enjoys festivals, enhancing the cohesion and identity of the community and even the nation.

(5) Equality and closeness to the people: The zodiac is shared by everyone, fair and open, and imperial power is hard to change. The mainstream of zodiac culture belongs to civilian culture, popularization and life.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Origin of Zodiac

Baidu Encyclopedia-Zodiac