十二生肖屬相的起源是什么?
十二(er)生肖是民(min)間源遠流長又趣味橫(heng)生的(de)民(min)俗現象，排列(lie)順序(xu)為(wei)子(zi)鼠、丑牛、寅虎、卯兔、辰龍、巳蛇(she)、午馬、未羊、申猴、酉雞、戌狗、亥豬，又稱(cheng)十二(er)屬相，每(mei)一個中國人(ren)都(dou)有自己的(de)屬相。在古代，很多(duo)迷(mi)信(xin)的(de)人(ren)甚至把屬相與人(ren)的(de)命(ming)運聯系起來，以此(ci)作為(wei)選擇婚姻(yin)對象的(de)標準。
關于(yu)(yu)十(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖的(de)(de)(de)(de)來歷(li)，有(you)(you)很(hen)多美(mei)麗(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)傳說(shuo)。據說(shuo)天(tian)地(di)形成之初，玉皇大帝決(jue)定選(xuan)(xuan)出十(shi)(shi)二(er)種動(dong)(dong)(dong)物與(yu)十(shi)(shi)二(er)地(di)支相(xiang)配排(pai)成十(shi)(shi)二(er)屬相(xiang)。在(zai)(zai)應選(xuan)(xuan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)頭一天(tian)，貓和(he)老(lao)鼠(shu)約好一起(qi)去，但(dan)是第二(er)天(tian)貓睡過了(le)頭，老(lao)鼠(shu)沒有(you)(you)喊它獨自偷偷上了(le)天(tian)庭(ting)，所以貓沒有(you)(you)及時參選(xuan)(xuan)并且與(yu)老(lao)鼠(shu)結下了(le)仇怨。評選(xuan)(xuan)時，大家(jia)都推勤懇(ken)寬(kuan)厚的(de)(de)(de)(de)牛(niu)居首位(wei)，老(lao)鼠(shu)不(bu)服(fu)，提出與(yu)牛(niu)到人間比試(shi)。當老(lao)鼠(shu)和(he)牛(niu)一同上街時，人人都驚呼“好大的(de)(de)(de)(de)老(lao)鼠(shu)”，于(yu)(yu)是，老(lao)鼠(shu)被(bei)(bei)列為(wei)老(lao)大，牛(niu)位(wei)居第二(er)。龍(long)(long)(long)虎(hu)不(bu)服(fu)，于(yu)(yu)是為(wei)了(le)安撫(fu)它們(men)，公雞把自己(ji)美(mei)麗(li)的(de)(de)(de)(de)角送(song)給(gei)龍(long)(long)(long)，虎(hu)則(ze)被(bei)(bei)封(feng)為(wei)獸中之王(wang)。龍(long)(long)(long)虎(hu)得(de)到了(le)榮耀就甘(gan)居其后(hou)了(le)。兔子(zi)(zi)覺得(de)自己(ji)比老(lao)鼠(shu)個子(zi)(zi)更大，也(ye)不(bu)服(fu)氣(qi)，于(yu)(yu)是選(xuan)(xuan)擇了(le)一條小(xiao)道要求與(yu)龍(long)(long)(long)賽(sai)跑，龍(long)(long)(long)龐大的(de)(de)(de)(de)身軀在(zai)(zai)小(xiao)道中行(xing)動(dong)(dong)(dong)不(bu)便(bian)，龍(long)(long)(long)角常常被(bei)(bei)樹枝和(he)荊棘掛住，最(zui)后(hou)輸給(gei)了(le)兔子(zi)(zi)，位(wei)于(yu)(yu)其后(hou)。狗(gou)眼(yan)紅兔子(zi)(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)地(di)位(wei)，上前一口咬住兔子(zi)(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)脖子(zi)(zi)，結果受(shou)到懲罰，被(bei)(bei)排(pai)在(zai)(zai)最(zui)后(hou)面。蛇和(he)馬(ma)結隊與(yu)羊(yang)、猴(hou)比試(shi)，結果愛顯擺的(de)(de)(de)(de)猴(hou)子(zi)(zi)輸掉了(le)比賽(sai)，羊(yang)和(he)猴(hou)被(bei)(bei)排(pai)在(zai)(zai)蛇、馬(ma)的(de)(de)(de)(de)后(hou)面。十(shi)(shi)一個動(dong)(dong)(dong)物的(de)(de)(de)(de)順序(xu)排(pai)定之后(hou)，其他(ta)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物爭相(xiang)搶(qiang)奪(duo)最(zui)后(hou)一個席位(wei)，最(zui)后(hou)憨(han)憨(han)的(de)(de)(de)(de)豬由于(yu)(yu)被(bei)(bei)認為(wei)最(zui)沒有(you)(you)競爭力，反而(er)漁翁(weng)得(de)利被(bei)(bei)選(xuan)(xuan)上了(le)。
傳說固然(ran)美麗，但是(shi)畢竟不是(shi)事實，究竟十二生(sheng)肖是(shi)怎么來的呢？
關于(yu)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)的(de)(de)起源(yuan)(yuan)，歷來(lai)眾說(shuo)紛紜。一(yi)部(bu)分(fen)學者認(ren)(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)，最早可以追溯(su)到(dao)夏以前，《史(shi)記》中(zhong)(zhong)所載黃(huang)帝“建造甲子(zi)(zi)以命(ming)歲”。這里所說(shuo)的(de)(de)甲子(zi)(zi)就是指的(de)(de)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)，也(ye)就是把天干與地(di)支配合起來(lai)計(ji)算時(shi)日。也(ye)有(you)一(yi)部(bu)分(fen)學者認(ren)(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)起源(yuan)(yuan)于(yu)原(yuan)始的(de)(de)動(dong)物(wu)崇拜。清代(dai)學者趙翼則(ze)認(ren)(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)生(sheng)肖(xiao)最早源(yuan)(yuan)于(yu)我國(guo)北(bei)(bei)方(fang)(fang)的(de)(de)游牧(mu)民(min)族(zu)，他的(de)(de)《陔余叢考(kao)》中(zhong)(zhong)記載：“蓋(gai)北(bei)(bei)俗初(chu)無(wu)所謂(wei)子(zi)(zi)丑(chou)寅之(zhi)(zhi)十二(er)(er)辰，但(dan)以鼠牛虎(hu)兔(tu)之(zhi)(zhi)類分(fen)紀(ji)歲時(shi)，浸(jin)尋流傳于(yu)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)，遂(sui)相沿(yan)不廢耳。”很(hen)有(you)可能(neng)是因為(wei)(wei)(wei)北(bei)(bei)方(fang)(fang)游牧(mu)民(min)族(zu)長(chang)期與各(ge)種(zhong)動(dong)物(wu)打交(jiao)道(dao)(dao)，產生(sheng)了(le)一(yi)種(zhong)用動(dong)物(wu)來(lai)紀(ji)年的(de)(de)方(fang)(fang)法(fa)，隨(sui)后(hou)與中(zhong)(zhong)原(yuan)地(di)區的(de)(de)天干地(di)支紀(ji)年方(fang)(fang)法(fa)相融合，形成了(le)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)。還有(you)的(de)(de)學者則(ze)認(ren)(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)是由(you)古巴(ba)比(bi)(bi)(bi)倫傳入(ru)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)的(de)(de)，如郭沫若，在(zai)他的(de)(de)《甲骨文字(zi)研究》中(zhong)(zhong)寫道(dao)(dao)“十二(er)(er)肖(xiao)像(xiang)于(yu)巴(ba)比(bi)(bi)(bi)倫、埃及、印度均(jun)(jun)有(you)之(zhi)(zhi)，然均(jun)(jun)不甚古，無(wu)出于(yu)西紀(ji)后(hou)百年以上(shang)者。意者此始漢(han)時(shi)西域(yu)諸國(guo)，仿(fang)(fang)巴(ba)比(bi)(bi)(bi)倫之(zhi)(zhi)十二(er)(er)宮而制定之(zhi)(zhi)，再向四(si)周傳播者也(ye)。”認(ren)(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)是西域(yu)各(ge)國(guo)模仿(fang)(fang)古巴(ba)比(bi)(bi)(bi)倫的(de)(de)十二(er)(er)宮，然后(hou)在(zai)漢(han)武(wu)帝通西域(yu)的(de)(de)時(shi)候又傳入(ru)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)的(de)(de)。以上(shang)觀點見仁見智(zhi)。各(ge)有(you)道(dao)(dao)理，到(dao)底哪種(zhong)說(shuo)法(fa)最可信，還需要進一(yi)步的(de)(de)考(kao)察。
而十二生(sheng)肖為什(shen)么是(shi)這樣的(de)順序呢？也有不(bu)同的(de)說(shuo)法。
有一(yi)(yi)種(zhong)說法比(bi)較(jiao)可信，認為是(shi)(shi)(shi)按照(zhao)動物(wu)的(de)足(zu)趾(zhi)的(de)單(dan)雙即(ji)奇偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)數(shu)(shu)(shu)來排(pai)列(lie)的(de)。每種(zhong)動物(wu)不(bu)管是(shi)(shi)(shi)二足(zu)或是(shi)(shi)(shi)四(si)足(zu)，它每只(zhi)腳(jiao)(jiao)上腳(jiao)(jiao)趾(zhi)的(de)數(shu)(shu)(shu)目都是(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)樣(yang)的(de)，但惟獨老鼠是(shi)(shi)(shi)例外(wai)，它的(de)前(qian)足(zu)四(si)趾(zhi)而后足(zu)五(wu)趾(zhi)，所以在(zai)排(pai)列(lie)十二生肖時，老鼠的(de)腳(jiao)(jiao)趾(zhi)因(yin)為是(shi)(shi)(shi)奇偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)同體，無(wu)法安排(pai)，所以因(yin)異得福排(pai)在(zai)第一(yi)(yi)位，其他動物(wu)按足(zu)趾(zhi)的(de)奇偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)參(can)差(cha)排(pai)列(lie)。牛是(shi)(shi)(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)，屬偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)數(shu)(shu)(shu)；虎是(shi)(shi)(shi)五(wu)趾(zhi)，屬奇數(shu)(shu)(shu)；兔是(shi)(shi)(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)，偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)數(shu)(shu)(shu)；龍足(zu)有五(wu)趾(zhi)，奇數(shu)(shu)(shu)，依(yi)此類推，一(yi)(yi)直(zhi)排(pai)到豬(zhu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)，偶(ou)(ou)(ou)(ou)數(shu)(shu)(shu)。這(zhe)也算(suan)是(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)種(zhong)比(bi)較(jiao)科學的(de)解釋。
還有(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)種說法(fa)則是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)把人的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動與(yu)(yu)動物(wu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)習性(xing)(xing)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)來(lai)排列的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。子(zi)夜時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)分（二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)）夜深(shen)人靜(jing)、繁星滿(man)天(tian)(tian)(tian)，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)觀天(tian)(tian)(tian)象(xiang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)最(zui)佳時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)機。古代天(tian)(tian)(tian)文學家(jia)(jia)常(chang)在(zai)(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)觀察(cha)天(tian)(tian)(tian)象(xiang)，而正好這(zhe)也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)老(lao)鼠(shu)(shu)頻繁出(chu)沒的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻(ke)，久(jiu)而久(jiu)之(zhi)，人們(men)發現(xian)了(le)(le)老(lao)鼠(shu)(shu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)這(zhe)個習性(xing)(xing)，于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)就把子(zi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)與(yu)(yu)鼠(shu)(shu)聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，稱(cheng)為(wei)子(zi)鼠(shu)(shu)，并且按照子(zi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)天(tian)(tian)(tian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)開(kai)始(shi)而把老(lao)鼠(shu)(shu)排在(zai)(zai)(zai)了(le)(le)首位(wei)。古代農耕(geng)社會，牛(niu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)重要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)財產，每一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)戶農家(jia)(jia)都很重視。丑時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），正是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)應(ying)該(gai)喂牛(niu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)辰，這(zhe)樣牛(niu)才能(neng)(neng)長得(de)強壯，能(neng)(neng)夠干更多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)。牛(niu)與(yu)(yu)丑時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，就成(cheng)了(le)(le)丑牛(niu)。寅時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)五點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），有(you)晝伏夜行習性(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)虎在(zai)(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最(zui)兇猛(meng)，人們(men)常(chang)常(chang)會聽到(dao)陣陣虎嘯聲。于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，虎與(yu)(yu)寅時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)，有(you)了(le)(le)寅虎。卯時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（五點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)七(qi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），天(tian)(tian)(tian)已(yi)經(jing)(jing)開(kai)始(shi)亮(liang)了(le)(le)，帶有(you)露水的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)青草是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)兔(tu)子(zi)最(zui)喜(xi)(xi)歡的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)食(shi)物(wu)。人們(men)常(chang)常(chang)看到(dao)兔(tu)子(zi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)這(zhe)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)吃草。于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，兔(tu)子(zi)與(yu)(yu)卯時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)，就是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)卯兔(tu)。辰時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（七(qi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），比較容易(yi)產生(sheng)(sheng)大(da)霧。據說龍(long)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)能(neng)(neng)騰云(yun)駕霧的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動物(wu)，朦朦朧(long)朧(long)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)仙霧中(zhong)(zhong)人們(men)仿佛看見龍(long)這(zhe)種想象(xiang)中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動物(wu)在(zai)(zai)(zai)飛翔(xiang)。龍(long)和辰時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)，便(bian)有(you)了(le)(le)辰龍(long)。巳時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），大(da)霧逐漸(jian)散去(qu)，太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)開(kai)始(shi)照耀(yao)大(da)地。蛇在(zai)(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)從洞穴中(zhong)(zhong)爬出(chu)來(lai)曬太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)。人們(men)看到(dao)蛇總是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)感到(dao)害怕，蛇最(zui)活(huo)躍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻(ke)，便(bian)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)巳時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。午時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），烈(lie)日當頭。馬(ma)(ma)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)性(xing)(xing)子(zi)也(ye)很烈(lie)，就像中(zhong)(zhong)午當頭的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)樣，而馬(ma)(ma)又是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)人類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)得(de)力助手(shou)，就像陽(yang)光(guang)也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)莊稼生(sheng)(sheng)長的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)必(bi)備條件一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)樣。馬(ma)(ma)與(yu)(yu)午時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)，午馬(ma)(ma)應(ying)運而生(sheng)(sheng)。未時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），陽(yang)光(guang)已(yi)經(jing)(jing)不那(nei)么灼人，這(zhe)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)正適合放羊(yang)。羊(yang)與(yu)(yu)未時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)就是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)未羊(yang)。申時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)五點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)七(qi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)已(yi)經(jing)(jing)偏(pian)西，氣溫(wen)已(yi)不那(nei)么熱，這(zhe)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)候(hou)(hou)，猴(hou)子(zi)最(zui)喜(xi)(xi)歡在(zai)(zai)(zai)樹(shu)林(lin)里(li)玩耍啼叫，人們(men)了(le)(le)解了(le)(le)猴(hou)子(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)習性(xing)(xing)，便(bian)把這(zhe)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻(ke)與(yu)(yu)猴(hou)子(zi)聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)在(zai)(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)了(le)(le)申猴(hou)。酉(you)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)七(qi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），太(tai)(tai)(tai)陽(yang)就快(kuai)落山，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)家(jia)(jia)養的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)雞該(gai)回窩的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)候(hou)(hou)了(le)(le)。家(jia)(jia)家(jia)(jia)農婦都在(zai)(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四處轟雞入窩，于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)就有(you)了(le)(le)酉(you)雞。戌(xu)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），臨睡之(zhi)前，人們(men)往(wang)往(wang)要四處巡視一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)番(fan)，而狗正是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)人們(men)最(zui)喜(xi)(xi)歡也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最(zui)得(de)力的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)巡邏(luo)幫手(shou)。巡視的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻(ke)與(yu)(yu)狗聯(lian)(lian)系(xi)起來(lai)成(cheng)為(wei)戌(xu)狗。亥(hai)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)二(er)(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)三點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），成(cheng)天(tian)(tian)(tian)吃了(le)(le)睡睡了(le)(le)吃的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)，在(zai)(zai)(zai)晚上還要喂食(shi)，深(shen)夜給豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)添(tian)食(shi)可以讓豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)長得(de)更肥。亥(hai)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，自然(ran)與(yu)(yu)豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)相連，于(yu)(yu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)了(le)(le)亥(hai)豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)。
在(zai)中(zhong)國的(de)(de)古籍中(zhong)，有(you)不少(shao)關于十(shi)(shi)二生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)的(de)(de)記(ji)載。最早(zao)的(de)(de)大(da)概是《詩經(jing)·小雅》里有(you)：“吉日庚(geng)午，即差我馬(ma)”八個字，大(da)意是說(shuo)，庚(geng)午吉日是好(hao)時(shi)辰(chen)(chen)，適(shi)合(he)騎馬(ma)出(chu)門打獵，已經(jing)將午與馬(ma)聯(lian)系(xi)在(zai)一起(qi)了(le)。而《論衡(heng)》中(zhong)則有(you)了(le)比較明確的(de)(de)記(ji)載。《論衡(heng)》是東漢思想(xiang)家王充的(de)(de)著作。書中(zhong)記(ji)載：“寅，木(mu)也(ye)(ye)，其(qi)(qi)禽，虎也(ye)(ye)。戌(xu)，土也(ye)(ye)，其(qi)(qi)禽，犬也(ye)(ye)。午，馬(ma)也(ye)(ye)。子，鼠也(ye)(ye)。酉，雞也(ye)(ye)。卯(mao)，兔(tu)也(ye)(ye)。亥(hai)，豕也(ye)(ye)。未，羊也(ye)(ye)。丑，牛也(ye)(ye)。巳，蛇(she)也(ye)(ye)。申，猴也(ye)(ye)。”這段(duan)話中(zhong)出(chu)現了(le)十(shi)(shi)一種(zhong)生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)，獨獨缺少(shao)了(le)龍。該書《言(yan)毒篇(pian)》又(you)說(shuo)：“辰(chen)(chen)為龍，巳為蛇(she)，辰(chen)(chen)、巳之位(wei)在(zai)東南(nan)。”這樣(yang)，十(shi)(shi)二生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)就完整了(le)，并(bing)且十(shi)(shi)二地支(zhi)與十(shi)(shi)二生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)相配的(de)(de)順序與今天(tian)是一樣(yang)的(de)(de)。此后(hou)，十(shi)(shi)二生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)已經(jing)十(shi)(shi)分流(liu)行和(he)普遍。
十二生肖至今仍然與人(ren)們(men)的生活有著(zhu)普(pu)遍的聯系。不但每個人(ren)都有自(zi)己的屬相，并且仍然有紀年的功能。禮(li)尚往來(lai)的過程(cheng)中，人(ren)們(men)也喜(xi)歡送與生肖屬相有聯系的禮(li)物(wu)以圖吉(ji)利和喜(xi)慶。
...
2873
