The most popular legend of Chinese zodiac states that Buddha invited the animals to participate in a race across the river. The prize was a position on the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The first 12 animals to cross the river would appear on the Chinese Zodiac calendar in the order in which they completed the race.

The first animal to make it across the finish line according to the legend was the Rat. The Rat used his brain rather than his brawn and hitched a ride on the Ox who was the mightiest swimmer. Just before the ox reached the shore, the rat jumped off the Ox's back and crossed the finish line in first place and became the first animal of the Chinese Zodiac Calendar.

The Ox came in second. The Tiger, a strong swimmer as well, came in third, followed by the Rabbit who jumped across with the help of the warm-hearted Dragon who finished fifth. The Snake hid in the hoof of the Horse to cross the river and jumped out of the hoof at the last moment and scared the Horse finishing sixth. The Horse fell back into seventh place.

The Ram, Monkey and Rooster who finished eighth ninth and tenth helped one another across and earned their spots on the calendar as well. The Dog made it too, but decided a bath was more important than the position which is why it came in eleventh. Finally, the Pig appeared and is listed twelfth. According to the legend, the Pig feasted and rested during the race.