 |
Legend has it that before the Lord Buddha left this Earth, he summoned all the animals to come to him. Only twelve came. First was the Rat, then the Ox, followed by the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. In appreciation of their loyalty, the names of the twelve animals were given to the years of the Chinese calendar. More importantly, their spirits were allowed to live in the hearts of those born in their particular years.
The twelve Signs of the Zodiac are represented by the Animal Signs. The Signs do not divide the sky (as in the Western/Babylonian system), but the equator. Each Sign corresponds to one of the twelve double-hours used to measure the day and to one of the twelve months of the year.
Top of Page
|
|
