The Great Animal Race: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac

    By Emma Sun

    The Great Animal Race: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac cover image

    27 May, 2024

    a cartoon of a mouse with a crown and other animals around him, with a river running through it, sots art, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, orientalism

    The Jade Emperor announced the race. The Rat, realizing he couldn't swim across the river, asked the Ox for help. The kind Ox agreed, allowing the Rat to climb onto his back.

    a cartoon of a rat in a chinese palace surrounded by other animals and people in the water with mountains in the background, sots art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, magic the gathering artwork

    They started their journey across the river, with the Rat clinging onto the Ox's back. As they neared the other side, the Rat jumped off and sprinted to the finish line, winning the race. The Emperor named the first year after the Rat and the second after the Ox.

    a tiger is running through a river with other tigers in the background and a mountain range in the background, bengal school of art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, detailed illustration

    The brave Tiger arrived third, using his strength to power through the currents. The Emperor named the third year after him.

    a painting of a man sitting on a rock next to a rabbit in a park with a mountain and river in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, storybook illustration

    Next came the Rabbit, who had cleverly hopped across on stones. The Emperor named the fourth year after him.

    a painting of a dragon and a man in a chinese costume standing in front of a crowd of people, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Christophe Vacher, dragon art

    The majestic Dragon swooped in next, landing gracefully at the finish line. The Emperor named the fifth year after him.

    a man in a green outfit holding a snake in front of a crowd of people in chinese style clothing, excessivism, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, high detail illustration

    The Snake arrived next, having slithered its way through the race. The Emperor named the sixth year after him.

    a man riding on the back of a brown horse next to a crowd of people in chinese outfits on a field, cloisonnism, a detailed painting, Emperor Huizong of Song, official art

    The Horse galloped in next, a picture of strength and speed. The Emperor named the seventh year after him.

    a man in a green outfit walking with sheep in front of him and a crowd of people in red and green, naive art, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, orientalism

    The gentle Sheep arrived next, a picture of grace and peace. The Emperor named the eighth year after her.

    a monkey with a crown and a staff in front of a group of monkeys in oriental costumes and holding a staff, fantasy art, concept art, Ding Guanpeng, rossdraws global illumination

    The agile Monkey swung in next, filled with energy and cheer. The Emperor named the ninth year after him.

    a rooster with a chinese theme on its head and a crowd of people behind it in a courtyard of a chinese temple, cloisonnism, concept art, Chris LaBrooy, rossdraws global illumination

    The Rooster arrived next, his colorful feathers catching the sunlight. The Emperor named the tenth year after him.

    a dog is sitting in front of a group of people in traditional chinese dress and wearing green and gold collars, sots art, concept art, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    The playful Dog bounded in next, wagging his tail with joy. The Emperor named the eleventh year after him.

    a cartoon pig in a green outfit surrounded by people in a chinese temple with a sky background and a sky full of clouds, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Emperor Huizong of Song, official art

    Lastly, the Pig arrived, ambling in at a leisurely pace. The Emperor named the twelfth and final year after him, concluding the great animal race.

    The Great Animal Race: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac

    AI Children’s Stories