Most people know of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac.  For years, it's been used for horoscope purposes, compatibility reasons, and personality traits.  But what most people don't know is the legend behind the selection of creatures to represent each year.

Ages ago, the gods summoned animals of all sorts to participate in a celebration.  Unbeknownst to them, the gods had decided that the first twelve animals that arrived would be given the honor of forming the Chinese Zodiac.

Story has it that as the day of the party dawned, the mouse told the cat that the party was on the morrow.  Believing the mouse, the cat thanked him and missed his opportunity.  Of all the animals invited, only the mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar showed.  Their order assigned subsequently and their attributes given, they proceeded to carry on with the festivities, later in the evening resigning home as darkness fell. 

In the morn, the cat gaudily woke up and proceeded to the realm of the gods.  Much to his satisfaction, he was the only and undoubtedly the first being in attendance… or so he assumed.  Upon his arrival, the gods questioned his presence.  Confused, the cat realized that he had been tricked by the mouse.  Ridiculingly, the gods allowed the cat to be the "13th animal", forever to remain cursed and an outcast.  Thus began the eternal feud between cat and mouse.