Illustration created to represent the legend of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Legend has it that the Buddha called all the animals to greet them before his departure from Earth. The first 12 arrived in his presence would be rewarded with a lunar year according to the order of arrival. They came in order: the mouse, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the cock, the dog and the pig.
