In the distant past, Time was an illusion and chaos reigned among the animals of the earth. Every creature from the cunning rat to the arrogant tiger proclaimed that he alone was the most virtuous and unique.
The Jade Emperor, Lord of Heaven, needed to restore order. He would hold a great race, and the first to cross the finish line would be declared the First of the Earthly Creatures. After the dust raised by ten thousand paws, claws and hooves settled, the winners were the rat, the ox, the tiger, the hare, the dragon, the serpent, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the cock, the dog, and the pig.
Each was awarded it’s own year, and these twelve years of the Chinese zodiac cycle are each characterized by the distinctive traits of that year’s animal. From these twelve symbols, a person’s fortune, character, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the course of his personal and social life may be told.
February 7 marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox. This stalwart creature was seemingly destined to be the winner of the celestial race. But his perseverance would lose to the craftiness of the rat (the wily thing was hiding in the ox’s ear and leapt out across the finish line ahead of him).
Those born under the sign of the ox are known for their dexterity and driving perfectionism. They’re generous and devoted, but, though they may be loving and pensive, they’re not likely to forgive and forget when wronged.
