In ancient China, based on the time and living characteristics of animals, twelve animals were chosen as the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, with each animal representing a two-hour period. The rat is first (paired with "Zi" hour), followed by: ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Rat: from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (the "Zi" hour). At this time, rats are most courageous and active, so the "Zi" hour is paired with the rat.

Ox: from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. (the "Chou" hour). At this time, the ox has eaten enough grass and chews it most slowly and comfortably, so the "Chou" hour is paired with the ox.

Tiger: from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. (the "Yin" hour). According to ancient books, tigers are most active, fierce, and cause the most injuries at this time, so the "Yin" hour is paired with the tiger.

Rabbit: from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. (the "Mao" hour). At this time, the sun has not yet appeared, and the moon's glow has not completely disappeared. The Jade Rabbit is a symbol of the moon, and it is the only animal in the legend of the Moon Palace, so the "Mao" hour is paired with the rabbit.

Dragon: from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (the "Chen" hour). According to legend, this is the time when dragons bring rain, and since the dragon is a mythical creature, the "Chen" hour is associated with the dragon.

Snake: from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (the "Si" hour). It is said that snakes do not harm people at this time and do not wander on the roads where people walk, but hide in the grass, so the "Si" hour is associated with the snake.

Horse: from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the "Wu" hour). According to the Taoist belief, the sun is directly overhead at noon, and the yang energy reaches its peak, while the yin energy gradually increases. During the transition between yin and yang, most animals lie down to rest, but horses remain standing, even sleeping while standing, never lying down. Thus, the "Wu" hour is associated with the horse.

Sheep: from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (the "Wei" hour). It is said that sheep urinate most frequently at this time, and their urine can cure a certain kind of disease they suffer from. Therefore, the "Wei" hour is associated with the sheep.

Monkey: from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (the "Shen" hour). At this time, monkeys like to scream the most, with the longest and loudest calls. Therefore, the "Shen" hour is associated with the monkey.

Rooster: from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (the "You" hour). At this time, the sun sets behind the hills, and the rooster begins to enter the coop for the night, so the "You" hour is associated with the rooster.

Dog: from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (the "Xu" hour). As night falls, dogs are most alert when guarding the house, with special vision and hearing, seeing farthest and hearing clearest. So the "Xu" hour is associated with the dog.

Pig: from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (the "Hai" hour). At this time, pigs sleep most soundly, snore the loudest, and their muscles shake the most, gaining weight the fastest. Therefore, the "Hai" hour is associated with the pig.