Accordingly, there are many myths behind the 12 animals and their arrangement, the most enduring being that of the Great Race.

Over 2,000 years ago, the story goes, the Jade Emperor decided on his birthday that time should be segmented into cycles of 12 years.

He decreed that a race would be held, and the first 12 animals to arrive at the Heavenly Gate would end up being his guards and earn a place in the “new” calendar accordingly. Along the way, the creatures would encounter a big river and would have to figure out how to cross it.

And so it came to pass: the race was held, and the victors emerged. First came the Rat, then the Ox, followed by the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and, finally, the Pig.

How did each of them fare, exactly?

• The Rat and the Ox

On the day of the race, the Rat got up very early and set off on his journey to the Jade Emperor’s palace. Along the way, he encountered the river and was unable to cross it.

Just then the Ox came passing by, and the Rat persuaded the kind animal to let him sit on its head as it crossed the river. But upon reaching the other side, instead of thanking the Ox, the Rat dashed to the finish line and won first place.

In other variations of this story, the Rat sneakily jumped into the Ox’s ear. Either way, the laidback and generous Ox ended up in second place.

Those born in the year of the Rat are said to be quick-witted, charming and resourceful, and work hard to achieve their goals. They tend to make friends easily, although they are generally private people.

Those born in the year of the Ox, meanwhile, exhibit strong and reliable characteristics, but are also stubborn and hate to fail or be challenged. While they can be opinionated, they generally prefer to keep their thoughts to themselves.

• The Tiger and the Rabbit

While both the Tiger and Rabbit were competent and competitive, the big cat finished in third place, having been swept off-course by the current of the river.

Meanwhile, the Rabbit managed to avoid the surging waters by hopping on stones and floating on logs to cross the body of water.

Those born in the year of a Tiger have a strong-willed personality and possess great confidence, presenting an image of power and authority.

Rabbits, on the other hand, have softer and gentler personality traits, and generally try to maintain good relationships with those around them.

• The Dragon and the Snake

The Dragon is said to have been sidetracked when he saw a village on fire. Being unafraid of the flames, and having a softer heart than most stories would have you believe, he stopped to help put it out.

Back on course, he spotted the Rabbit having a rough time crossing the river and used his non-fiery breath to blow the bunny ashore. Consequently, the kindly dragon ended up fifth in the race.

In the meantime, the Snake had craftily coiled around the Horse’s leg and, as they approached the finish line, frightened the stallion when he unwrapped himself and slithered to a victorious sixth place.

In an alternate tale, the Jade Emperor is said to have admired the Dragon’s beauty and declared the great beast’s son could come in sixth. But the Dragon had not brought his son with him that day – and so the Snake came forward to claim the Dragon as his adoptive father. That sneaky Snake.

Those born in the year of the Dragon are natural-born leaders who are brave and charismatic; while those born in the year of the Snake are said to be smart and humorous, contrary to the popular impression of snakes being sly and ruthless.

• The Horse and the Goat

In the version of the legend that doesn’t involve the Snake, the Horse and Goat are said to have arrived at the same time and each generously welcomed the other to finish ahead of him.

The Jade Emperor, observing how kind and polite they were, placed them in seventh and eighth place, respectively.

Those born in the year of a Horse are full of enthusiasm and energy when it comes to sports and studies. They believe in themselves and will do anything to follow their dreams.

Being a meeker animal, those born in the year of the Goat tend to be more obedient and respectful. But they, too, are hardworking and persistent when it comes to achieving their goals.

• The Monkey

The Monkey finished the race by jumping from tree to tree to avoid the river, and wound up in ninth place.

People born in the year of the Monkey are witty and intelligent.

They can also be very mischievous and are said to be masters of practical jokes.

• The Rooster, the Dog and the Pig

The Rooster finished the race in 10th place, and the Dog in 11th.

It is said the Pig had fallen asleep after having stopped to eat, only to waddle across the finish line in last place. The Emperor had nearly given up on him but ultimately decided to award him the 12th spot in the zodiac.

Those born in the year of a Rooster are usually confident and outgoing. They rarely rely on others and are very well-organised.

Like man’s best friend today, those born in the year of the Dog are said to be extremely loyal and brave.

And although the Pig finished last, those born in this year are intelligent and compassionate people who have a knack for creativity.

An alternate narrative has the Goat – sometimes known as a Sheep – Monkey and Rooster building a raft to cross the river together, before making a dash to the finish line. They still ended up in eighth, ninth and 10th place, respectively.

And in typical doggy fashion, the Dog was said to have emerged the second-last winner as he had been too busy playing and splashing around in the water.