The 12 Zodiac Animals: Discover the Snake and Its Secrets
At M for Mandarin, we’re all about bringing Chinese language and culture to life in fun and engaging ways for kids. One of the most exciting traditions we love to teach is the Chinese zodiac—a cycle of 12 animals, each with unique characteristics and stories. These zodiac animals play an important role in Chinese culture, not only representing years but also personality traits, compatibility, and even luck!
The 12 Animals in the Chinese Zodiac:
Rat (鼠 shǔ) – Clever and resourceful
Ox (牛 niú) – Strong and dependable
Tiger (虎 hǔ) – Brave and confident
Rabbit (兔 tù) – Gentle and kind
Dragon (龙 lóng) – Ambitious and powerful
Snake (蛇 shé) – Wise and intuitive
Horse (马 mǎ) – Energetic and free-spirited
Goat (羊 yáng) – Calm and creative
Monkey (猴 hóu) – Witty and curious
Rooster (鸡 jī) – Hardworking and organized
Dog (狗 gǒu) – Loyal and honest
Pig (猪 zhū) – Generous and easygoing
The Fun Story of the 12 Zodiac Animals:
A long time ago, the Jade Emperor, ruler of all the gods, wanted to figure out a way to measure time. So, he decided to hold a BIG race with all the animals to determine which one would earn the top spot. The race was to cross a huge river, and the first 12 animals to reach the other side would secure a place in the zodiac.
The Rat (鼠 shǔ) was small but very clever. It didn’t want to swim across the river, so it hopped on the back of the Ox (牛 niú), who was strong and great at swimming. At the end of the race, the Rat jumped off the Ox’s back and took first place! The Ox, who had been such a good sport, finished second.
The Tiger (虎 hǔ) was strong and fast but struggled with the strong river current. It finished third, looking tired but proud of its effort.
The Rabbit (兔 tù) was small and quick. It hopped along the riverbank, jumping from stone to stone, finishing fourth.
The Dragon (龙 lóng) could fly, so it seemed like it should win easily, right? But the Dragon stopped to help a village during the race, causing a little delay. It finished fifth, still proud of its good deed.
The Snake (蛇 shé) was sneaky and clever! It slithered through the grass, and when it saw the Horse (马 mǎ) coming, it decided to hide and surprise the Horse by jumping ahead. The Snake finished sixth, calm and cool.
The Horse (马 mǎ) galloped really fast but got a shock when the Snake popped out of nowhere and beat it! The Horsefinished seventh.
The Goat (羊 yáng) was peaceful, taking its time to munch on grass, and finished eighth.
The Monkey (猴 hóu) was playful and curious. It swung from tree to tree along the riverbanks, having fun while still managing to finish ninth.
The Rooster (鸡 jī) was hardworking and organized, finishing tenth after pushing through the race without stopping.
The Dog (狗 gǒu) loved to play, so it took a detour and splashed around in the water, finishing eleventh.
The Pig (猪 zhū) also took its time, enjoying a snack and a nap along the way. It was the last to cross the finish line, finishing twelfth.
That’s how the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac earned their spots! Each one has its own special traits, which are linked to its position in the zodiac.
Meet the Snake: Wise and Mysterious
The Snake (蛇 shé) is the 6th animal in the Chinese zodiac, known for its intelligence, elegance, and calm demeanor. People born in the Year of the Snake are often deep thinkers who approach life with patience and wisdom. They’re also intuitive and love solving problems creatively.
Fun Fact About the Snake Zodiac:
The Snake loves to hide! In ancient Chinese myths, the Snake could shed its skin and become invisible. It was truly a master of disguise! Did you know that a Snake’s tongue is special? Snakes use their forked tongues to “smell” the air and find food. How cool is that?
What’s Your Zodiac Animal?
Did you know that the zodiac animal for your birth year can give you clues about your personality? Each of the 12 zodiac animals has its own special traits, and they repeat in a cycle every 12 years. Which one do you belong to?
A Fun Way to Learn About the Snake!
To help kids explore the Chinese zodiac, we’ve created a snake-themed printable worksheet! This fun activity includes a beautiful coloring page featuring a snake design, along with space to practice writing the Chinese character for “snake” (蛇 shé).
👉 👉 Click here to download your free snake-themed coloring page and character writing worksheet!
Learning about the zodiac is a wonderful way to introduce kids to Chinese culture. Stay tuned for more fun lessons and activities from M for Mandarin!
Happy learning, and may the Year of the Snake (蛇 shé) bring wisdom and joy to your family!