The Longbow Papers

Chinese Zodiac: The Year of The Pig
According to Chinese legend, twelve animals quarreled to see who should be the head of the zodiac cycle. To determine the order of the animals, the gods decided to hold a race. Whoever reached the opposite side of the river first would lead, and the rest of the animals would receive their position according to their finish. All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side. The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water. At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto the ox's back and guide him across. The ox was steady and hard-working so that he did not notice a commotion on his back. In the meanwhile, the rat snuck up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat jumped off and finished the race first. The lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth place. And so the rat got the first year named after him, the ox got the second year, and the pig ended up as the last year in the cycle. The cat finished too late to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.


Pigs (1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019) are intelligent, generous, gallant, and chivalrous with impeccable manners and taste. They have remarkable fortitude, enjoy learning, and have great honesty. Whatever they do, they do with all their might. They take pleasure in helping others. Pigs like to indulge, which gives a perception of laziness. They are quick tempered, yet they dislike arguments and quarreling. No matter how bad the situation, they try to work it out. Compatible Signs: Rabbit and Goat.

Xin Nian Kuai le.