Chinese zodiac history

In ancient China according to active time and life characteristics of animals, the zodiac is used, instead of the twelve earthly branches, to show people born by 12 kinds of animals, namely each kind of animal was a representation of the time, was equivalent to the western zodiac sign (Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, cancer, Leo, virgo, libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn hemp, Aquarius). The rat was the first,matching with rat time and follows as ox,tiger,rabbit,dragon,snake, horse, goat,monkey,rooster,dog, and pig.

Rat: 11:00pm to 1:00 am (i.e. called Rat time)
At this time, guts of the rat is the most strong, and its activities is the most frequently. Therefore named this period of time as Rat time.
Ox: 1:00am to 3:00am (i.e. called Ox time)
At this time, the Ox are eating enough grass so that the cud is most fine,slow and comfortable.Therefore named this period of time as Ox time.
Tiger: 3:00am to 5:00am (i.e. called Tiger time)
According to the ancient records, at this time the tiger are most active, most ferocious, and injures more people. Therefore named this period of time as Tiger time.
Rabbit: 5:00am to 7:00am (i.e. called Rabbit time)
At this time the sun doesn't appear, glorious of the moon still doesn't retreat completely. Yutu is the substitute appellation for Moon, and is the only animal of moon mythology. Therefore named this period of time as Rabbit time.
Dragon:7:00am to 9:00am (i.e. called Dragon time)
It's the time Dragons do rains in the legend,dragon is the animal of the myth.Therefore named this period of time as Dragon time.
Snake: 9:00am to 11:00am (i.e. called Snake time)
It was said the snake don't hurt people at this moment, and don't walk on sidewalk, always hidden in grass. Therefore named this period of time as Snake time.
Horse: 11:00am to 1:00pm (i.e. called Horse time)
As the Taoist view, the sun is most hot at noon.Yang is at culmination, and Yin increases gradually. When Yang changes into Yin, general animals lie down and rest. Only the horse is used to stand and even sleep standing, never lie. Therefore named this period of time as Horse time.
Goat: 1:00pm to 3:00pm (i.e. called Goat time)
It was said that the Goat like urining constantly at this time, and spilled urine can cure itself a kind of madness.Therefore named this period of time as Goat time.
Monkey: 3:00pm to 5:00pm (i.e. called Monkey time)
At this time the Monkey most like crowing with longest and loud voice. Therefore named this period of tim as Monkey time.
Rooster: 5:00pm to 7:00pm (i.e. called Rooster time)
At this time the sunshine is down the hills and the rooster begin to go into the cage and sleep overnight. Therefore named this period of time as Rooster time.
Dog: 7:00pm to 9:00pm (i.e. called Dog time)
Night is coming, the dog look after the house. It has the highest vigilance on vigil and also has special vision and hearing which make it see farthest and hear clearlest. Therefore named this period of time as Dog time.
Pig: 9:00pm to 11:00pm (i.e. called Pig time)
At this time, the pig sleep like a top. Voice is louldy, muscles is shaking seriously, and meat is growing at fastest. Therefore named this period of time as Pig time.