The 12 zodiac signs include Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The origin of the zodiac is related to animal worship.
In traditional Chinese culture, the zodiac is a highly valued concept, which is not only a way to divide time, but also carries a rich cultural connotation. However, many people still have doubts about the origin of the zodiac and the details of it, especially why there are no cats. And why rats are in the first place.
Let's take a look at these questions, and start from the legend, history and cultural background to reveal the mystery of the zodiac signs for readers.
The Chinese zodiac, also known as the zodiac, is a combination of astronomy and zoology by the ancient Chinese people. According to literary and historical records, the origin of the zodiac can be traced back to antiquity.
Legend has it that people at that time, based on the worship of animals and totemic beliefs, as well as the observation of astronomical phenomena, matched 12 kinds of animals with 12 earthly branches to record years and months.
In many ancient Chinese documents, there are many records about the zodiac, among which the Book of Songs is the earliest. There is "The Book of Songs, Xiaoya, and Auspicious Days".On an auspicious day, send me a horse."The record of the noon corresponds to the horse. This shows that in the Spring and Autumn Period, the relationship between the earthly branch and the twelve animals has been established and spread.
There are various theories as to why there are no cats in the zodiac. One theory is that the cat is native to Egypt and was introduced to China after the zodiac signs had already been finalized, so there is no way to include it in it. Another theory is that the tiger, as a representative of the feline family, is enough to represent the existence of cats.
The tiger is more ferocious and powerful than the cat, and it is more representative of the feline family, so the tiger is chosen in the zodiac, so naturally there is no need to add another cat.
There is a folk legend that the Jade Emperor decided to select twelve animals to represent the human zodiac, in order to reflect the principle of fairness, the Jade Emperor ordered, all animals can go to the Heavenly Palace to be selected, and in a day and night, who is the first to come out through the Tianmen Cave as the selection criteria, only take the first to arrive in the top twelve. It is said that the Tianmen Cave is the entrance to the heavenly court, and only animals that pass through the Tianmen Cave can become zodiac.
Of all the animals, only the rat is the most active at night, and is intelligent, alert, and has a strong sense of survival and adaptability. They are able to find food and avoid danger in the dark. Therefore, the rat became the first animal to pass through the Tianmen Cave and also became the first of the 12 zodiac signs.
It's really just a story, and the real reason has something to do with the habits of rats.
We all know that the child hour is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., the quietest time of the day, when everything is sleeping. However, rats are most active at this time and begin to come out in search of food. This also provides an explanation for the rat to be in the first place. This correspondence is not just a simple coincidence, but contains profound cultural connotations.
Write to the end. The zodiac is a very important part of traditional cultural traditions, and it contains rich legends, history and cultural connotations. Although there are no cats in the 12 zodiac signs, each zodiac sign has its own unique representative meaning, reflecting the Chinese people's awe of the natural world and their perception of life. The identity of the rat as the first place is actually a product of the laws of nature.
By gaining an in-depth understanding of the origin and meaning of the Chinese zodiac, we can gain a deeper understanding of the breadth and profundity of traditional culture. Why do you think there are no cats in the 12 zodiac signs? Why are rats in the first place? Welcome to leave a message and discuss in the comment area. Publish a collection of dragon cards to share millions of cash