Zodiac: The Way Of The Animals
The symbolism of the zodiac is closely linked to the etymology of this term, ‘the way of the animals’ or, according to other philologists, ‘animal images’, in reference to the forms of the constellations.
The origin of the zodiac is confusing, as there is a debate between those who attribute its authorship to the Egyptians and those who propose the authorship of the Babylonians. However, there seems to be a consensus regarding the Egyptian contribution to the expansion of world astrology.
The symbols of the Western zodiac are associated with Greek mythology and, although many are animals, other characters related to the gods of Olympus also appear.
In addition, there are currently many other zodiacal interpretations and representations, according to the civilization studied. So while the Celts relied on trees, the Chinese created a zodiac made up of animals from their own mythology.
The Chinese example is one of the most popularly known, although, like all legends, it also has different versions. The most accepted links the 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope to the race to the so-called Celestial Gate.
This fact justifies the zodiacal order of such animals according to the order of arrival: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Chinese horoscope legend
According to tradition, the Jade Emperor, one of the best known in the Chinese religion, organized a race to choose the top 12 as his guardians. For this, he sent to earthly life an immortal being capable of spreading the message among future participants.
The next day, the rat, who woke up early, got out ahead of the others. When he came across a river, he had to stop until he saw the opportunity to cross it, hanging from the ear of the ox that came next. So the mouse and the ox were the first and second to reach the emperor after passing through the Heavenly Gate. Then the tiger and rabbit were third and fourth.
The beautiful dragon, kinder than is generally thought, took a moment to take a break from the race to put out a fire, so he was fifth. Then the horse thought it would be the sixth, not realizing that the snake had managed to pass it. So the serpent and the horse were the sixth and seventh to arrive.
The goat, monkey and rooster were characterized by teamwork and built a raft to cross the river. In that order, they reached the eighth, ninth and tenth position. It is important to note that in some regions the goat is replaced by a sheep. Finally, the dog and the pig arrived, who had been busy playing in the river and eating, respectively.
Apparently, we might find the absence of the cat, very popular in the Chinese tradition, strange. However, the legend adds that the rat, despite his friendship with him, forgot to wake him up because of the rush.
Astrology and the search for answers
Stars were one of the natural elements chosen by men to predict the future. However, animals have also been central to this function since prehistoric times. In fact, according to astronomer Sten Odenwald, director of the NASA Education Consortium, cave paintings already reflected a kind of animal spirit that, through hunting, affected human beings.
Another example is that of the Babylonians and Sumerians who, in addition to looking at the sky, also analyzed the liver and other viscera of animals during their divination practices.
Astrology, with the zodiac, horoscopes and so-called astrological charts, is still a pseudoscience, as its methodology does not have any scientific support, nor can it be objectively proven. However, its practice, which emerged in prehistoric times, has been evolving and consolidating until today.
