According to Chinese tradition, this year is the year of the Pig.
Why does China have the year of Pig?
The Chinese Yinyang principle consists of a 12-year cycle, each year of which is named after a different animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. The ancient Yinyang principle constructed a fantastic system of 10 heavenly stems and 12 mundane branches. The latter correspond to 12 animals with two symbolic functions. Each animal is mystically related to one year in a 12-year cycle.
It is known as “The Chinese Zodiac”. The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals in the sequence of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal represents a different “personality”.
According to legend, people held a conference with all the animals, informing them that they would pick the 12 to represent the zodiac.
According to myths, here’s what happened:
It was coming up to the new year and twelve animals were arguing. There was a rat, an ox, a tiger, a sheep, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a dog, a horse, a rooster, a monkey, and a pig. They thought the new year should have a name. They were arguing because each animal wanted the year to be named after himself.
There was such a noise that they disturbed the Jade Emperor.
“Whatever is the matter with you, animals?” Jade Emperor asked.
One by one, they explained their problem.
The Jade Emperor thought it over.
“I’ve got an idea.” He said. “Can you see that big river? Why not have a race across it? We can name this new year after the winner of the race.”
All the animals agreed that this was a good idea, but each one secretly thought that they would be the winner. They all hurried to the river and lined up for the race.
“Ready, steady, go!”
With a mighty splash, the animals leaped into the river and started swimming as fast as they could towards the other side.
Now, the rat wasn’t the best swimmer, but he was the cleverest animal. He saw that the ox was going to win the race, so he swam as fast as he could and grabbed hold of the ox’s tail. He climbed up the tail onto the ox’s back. Just before the ox reached the other side of the river, the rat leaped over his head onto the bank.
“Hurray! I’m the winner!” He squeaked, “Heeheehee!”
“Hard luck, ox!” Laughed the Jade Emperor.
“You’re very strong, but rat was too clever for you this time. We will call this year the year of the rat. Ox, you were the second, so next year will be the year of the ox.”
One by one, the other animals finished the race.
“Oh, well done!” Said the Jade Emperor. “We will name a year after each of you in the same order that you finished the race.”
This is just one of the many myths about the origin of the Chinese Zodiac.
Reference:
https://www.hopenglish.com/chinese-new-year-story