十二生肖屬相的起源是什么?
十二(er)生肖是(shi)民(min)間源遠流長又(you)趣味橫(heng)生的(de)民(min)俗(su)現象(xiang)，排(pai)列(lie)順序為子鼠、丑(chou)牛、寅(yin)虎(hu)、卯兔、辰(chen)龍、巳蛇(she)、午馬(ma)、未羊(yang)、申猴、酉雞、戌狗、亥(hai)豬，又(you)稱(cheng)十二(er)屬(shu)相，每(mei)一個中國人都有自己的(de)屬(shu)相。在古代，很多(duo)迷信的(de)人甚(shen)至把屬(shu)相與人的(de)命運聯系起來(lai)，以此作為選擇婚姻對象(xiang)的(de)標準。
關于(yu)十(shi)二(er)生肖的(de)(de)來歷，有很多美(mei)麗的(de)(de)傳說(shuo)。據說(shuo)天地形成之(zhi)初(chu)，玉皇(huang)大(da)帝決定選(xuan)(xuan)出十(shi)二(er)種動(dong)物(wu)與十(shi)二(er)地支相(xiang)配(pei)排成十(shi)二(er)屬相(xiang)。在(zai)應選(xuan)(xuan)的(de)(de)頭(tou)一(yi)(yi)天，貓和(he)老鼠(shu)約好一(yi)(yi)起去，但(dan)是(shi)第二(er)天貓睡過了(le)(le)頭(tou)，老鼠(shu)沒有喊它獨自偷偷上了(le)(le)天庭，所(suo)以貓沒有及(ji)時參選(xuan)(xuan)并且與老鼠(shu)結(jie)下了(le)(le)仇怨(yuan)。評選(xuan)(xuan)時，大(da)家都推勤懇寬厚的(de)(de)牛(niu)居(ju)首(shou)位(wei)(wei)，老鼠(shu)不服，提出與牛(niu)到(dao)人(ren)間(jian)比(bi)(bi)試。當老鼠(shu)和(he)牛(niu)一(yi)(yi)同上街時，人(ren)人(ren)都驚(jing)呼“好大(da)的(de)(de)老鼠(shu)”，于(yu)是(shi)，老鼠(shu)被列為(wei)老大(da)，牛(niu)位(wei)(wei)居(ju)第二(er)。龍(long)虎(hu)不服，于(yu)是(shi)為(wei)了(le)(le)安撫它們(men)，公(gong)雞把自己美(mei)麗的(de)(de)角送給(gei)(gei)龍(long)，虎(hu)則被封為(wei)獸中(zhong)之(zhi)王。龍(long)虎(hu)得到(dao)了(le)(le)榮耀就甘居(ju)其(qi)后(hou)(hou)了(le)(le)。兔子(zi)覺得自己比(bi)(bi)老鼠(shu)個(ge)子(zi)更大(da)，也不服氣，于(yu)是(shi)選(xuan)(xuan)擇了(le)(le)一(yi)(yi)條小道要求(qiu)與龍(long)賽(sai)跑(pao)，龍(long)龐大(da)的(de)(de)身軀在(zai)小道中(zhong)行動(dong)不便(bian)，龍(long)角常(chang)常(chang)被樹枝和(he)荊棘掛住，最后(hou)(hou)輸給(gei)(gei)了(le)(le)兔子(zi)，位(wei)(wei)于(yu)其(qi)后(hou)(hou)。狗眼(yan)紅兔子(zi)的(de)(de)地位(wei)(wei)，上前一(yi)(yi)口咬住兔子(zi)的(de)(de)脖子(zi)，結(jie)果(guo)受(shou)到(dao)懲罰，被排在(zai)最后(hou)(hou)面。蛇和(he)馬結(jie)隊與羊(yang)(yang)、猴(hou)比(bi)(bi)試，結(jie)果(guo)愛顯擺的(de)(de)猴(hou)子(zi)輸掉了(le)(le)比(bi)(bi)賽(sai)，羊(yang)(yang)和(he)猴(hou)被排在(zai)蛇、馬的(de)(de)后(hou)(hou)面。十(shi)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)動(dong)物(wu)的(de)(de)順序排定之(zhi)后(hou)(hou)，其(qi)他動(dong)物(wu)爭相(xiang)搶奪最后(hou)(hou)一(yi)(yi)個(ge)席位(wei)(wei)，最后(hou)(hou)憨憨的(de)(de)豬(zhu)由于(yu)被認(ren)為(wei)最沒有競爭力，反而漁翁得利被選(xuan)(xuan)上了(le)(le)。
傳說(shuo)固然美麗，但是畢竟不是事實，究竟十二生肖是怎么來的呢？
關于(yu)十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖的(de)(de)起(qi)源，歷來(lai)(lai)眾(zhong)說(shuo)紛紜。一(yi)部(bu)分學(xue)(xue)(xue)者(zhe)認(ren)為，最(zui)(zui)早(zao)可以(yi)追溯到夏(xia)以(yi)前(qian)，《史記(ji)(ji)》中所載黃帝“建造甲子以(yi)命歲”。這里所說(shuo)的(de)(de)甲子就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)指的(de)(de)十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖，也(ye)就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)把天干與(yu)地支(zhi)配(pei)合起(qi)來(lai)(lai)計算時(shi)(shi)日。也(ye)有(you)一(yi)部(bu)分學(xue)(xue)(xue)者(zhe)認(ren)為起(qi)源于(yu)原(yuan)始(shi)的(de)(de)動物(wu)崇拜。清(qing)代學(xue)(xue)(xue)者(zhe)趙翼則(ze)認(ren)為生肖最(zui)(zui)早(zao)源于(yu)我國北方(fang)(fang)的(de)(de)游(you)牧(mu)民族，他的(de)(de)《陔(gai)余叢考(kao)》中記(ji)(ji)載：“蓋(gai)北俗初無(wu)所謂子丑寅之十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)辰，但(dan)以(yi)鼠牛虎(hu)兔之類分紀(ji)(ji)歲時(shi)(shi)，浸尋(xun)流(liu)傳于(yu)中國，遂相沿不(bu)(bu)廢耳。”很有(you)可能(neng)是(shi)(shi)因(yin)為北方(fang)(fang)游(you)牧(mu)民族長期與(yu)各(ge)種(zhong)動物(wu)打交道(dao)，產(chan)生了(le)一(yi)種(zhong)用動物(wu)來(lai)(lai)紀(ji)(ji)年(nian)(nian)的(de)(de)方(fang)(fang)法(fa)，隨后與(yu)中原(yuan)地區(qu)的(de)(de)天干地支(zhi)紀(ji)(ji)年(nian)(nian)方(fang)(fang)法(fa)相融合，形成了(le)十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖。還有(you)的(de)(de)學(xue)(xue)(xue)者(zhe)則(ze)認(ren)為十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖是(shi)(shi)由古(gu)(gu)巴(ba)比倫(lun)傳入中國的(de)(de)，如(ru)郭沫若(ruo)，在(zai)他的(de)(de)《甲骨文字研(yan)究》中寫道(dao)“十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)肖像于(yu)巴(ba)比倫(lun)、埃及、印度均有(you)之，然均不(bu)(bu)甚古(gu)(gu)，無(wu)出于(yu)西(xi)紀(ji)(ji)后百(bai)年(nian)(nian)以(yi)上(shang)者(zhe)。意(yi)者(zhe)此始(shi)漢時(shi)(shi)西(xi)域諸國，仿(fang)巴(ba)比倫(lun)之十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)宮而(er)制(zhi)定之，再向四周(zhou)傳播者(zhe)也(ye)。”認(ren)為十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)生肖是(shi)(shi)西(xi)域各(ge)國模仿(fang)古(gu)(gu)巴(ba)比倫(lun)的(de)(de)十(shi)(shi)(shi)二(er)宮，然后在(zai)漢武帝通(tong)西(xi)域的(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)候(hou)又傳入中國的(de)(de)。以(yi)上(shang)觀點見仁見智(zhi)。各(ge)有(you)道(dao)理，到底(di)哪種(zhong)說(shuo)法(fa)最(zui)(zui)可信，還需要進一(yi)步的(de)(de)考(kao)察。
而十(shi)二生肖為(wei)什么是這樣的順序呢？也有不同的說法。
有一種(zhong)說法比較(jiao)可信(xin)，認為(wei)(wei)是(shi)按照動(dong)物的(de)足趾(zhi)(zhi)的(de)單雙即奇(qi)(qi)偶(ou)(ou)數來排列的(de)。每種(zhong)動(dong)物不管是(shi)二足或是(shi)四(si)足，它每只腳(jiao)(jiao)上(shang)腳(jiao)(jiao)趾(zhi)(zhi)的(de)數目(mu)都是(shi)一樣的(de)，但惟獨老(lao)鼠是(shi)例(li)外(wai)，它的(de)前足四(si)趾(zhi)(zhi)而后足五(wu)趾(zhi)(zhi)，所(suo)(suo)以在(zai)排列十二生肖時(shi)，老(lao)鼠的(de)腳(jiao)(jiao)趾(zhi)(zhi)因為(wei)(wei)是(shi)奇(qi)(qi)偶(ou)(ou)同體，無法安排，所(suo)(suo)以因異得(de)福排在(zai)第一位，其他(ta)動(dong)物按足趾(zhi)(zhi)的(de)奇(qi)(qi)偶(ou)(ou)參差排列。牛是(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)(zhi)，屬偶(ou)(ou)數；虎是(shi)五(wu)趾(zhi)(zhi)，屬奇(qi)(qi)數；兔(tu)是(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)(zhi)，偶(ou)(ou)數；龍足有五(wu)趾(zhi)(zhi)，奇(qi)(qi)數，依此(ci)類(lei)推，一直排到豬是(shi)四(si)趾(zhi)(zhi)，偶(ou)(ou)數。這也(ye)算是(shi)一種(zhong)比較(jiao)科學的(de)解釋。
還有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)種說法則是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)把(ba)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)動(dong)(dong)與(yu)(yu)(yu)動(dong)(dong)物的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)習性(xing)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)來(lai)排(pai)列的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)。子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)夜(ye)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)分（二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)）夜(ye)深(shen)(shen)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)靜、繁(fan)星滿(man)天，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)觀(guan)天象的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)最(zui)佳時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)機。古(gu)代天文學家(jia)常(chang)在(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)觀(guan)察(cha)天象，而正好這也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)老鼠(shu)頻繁(fan)出沒的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻，久而久之，人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)發現了(le)(le)老鼠(shu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)這個習性(xing)，于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)就(jiu)把(ba)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)與(yu)(yu)(yu)鼠(shu)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)在(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，稱為(wei)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)鼠(shu)，并且按照子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)天的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)開始(shi)而把(ba)老鼠(shu)排(pai)在(zai)(zai)了(le)(le)首位。古(gu)代農耕(geng)社(she)會，牛是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)重要的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)財(cai)產(chan)，每一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)戶農家(jia)都(dou)很重視。丑時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），正是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)應該喂牛的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)辰，這樣(yang)牛才能長得強壯，能夠干更多的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)活(huo)。牛與(yu)(yu)(yu)丑時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)在(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，就(jiu)成(cheng)了(le)(le)丑牛。寅(yin)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)五(wu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），有(you)(you)晝(zhou)伏夜(ye)行習性(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)虎在(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最(zui)兇猛，人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)常(chang)常(chang)會聽到(dao)陣陣虎嘯(xiao)聲。于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，虎與(yu)(yu)(yu)寅(yin)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)，有(you)(you)了(le)(le)寅(yin)虎。卯(mao)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（五(wu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)七點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），天已(yi)(yi)(yi)經開始(shi)亮了(le)(le)，帶(dai)有(you)(you)露(lu)水(shui)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)青草是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)兔子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)最(zui)喜(xi)歡(huan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)食(shi)物。人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)常(chang)常(chang)看到(dao)兔子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)在(zai)(zai)這時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)吃草。于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，兔子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)與(yu)(yu)(yu)卯(mao)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)，就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)卯(mao)兔。辰時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（七點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），比較容易產(chan)生大霧。據(ju)說龍(long)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)能騰云駕霧的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動(dong)(dong)物，朦朦朧朧的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)仙(xian)霧中人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)仿佛看見龍(long)這種想象中的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)動(dong)(dong)物在(zai)(zai)飛翔(xiang)。龍(long)和辰時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)，便有(you)(you)了(le)(le)辰龍(long)。巳(si)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），大霧逐漸散去，太陽(yang)(yang)開始(shi)照耀大地(di)。蛇在(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)從(cong)洞穴中爬出來(lai)曬太陽(yang)(yang)。人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)看到(dao)蛇總是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)感到(dao)害怕，蛇最(zui)活(huo)躍的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻，便是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)巳(si)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。午時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），烈日當頭(tou)。馬的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)性(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)也(ye)很烈，就(jiu)像(xiang)中午當頭(tou)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)太陽(yang)(yang)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)樣(yang)，而馬又是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)類的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)得力助手(shou)，就(jiu)像(xiang)陽(yang)(yang)光也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)莊稼(jia)生長的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)必備條件一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)樣(yang)。馬與(yu)(yu)(yu)午時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)，午馬應運而生。未時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)五(wu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），陽(yang)(yang)光已(yi)(yi)(yi)經不(bu)那么灼人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)，這時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)正適(shi)合放羊(yang)。羊(yang)與(yu)(yu)(yu)未時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)未羊(yang)。申時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)五(wu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)七點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），太陽(yang)(yang)已(yi)(yi)(yi)經偏西，氣溫已(yi)(yi)(yi)不(bu)那么熱(re)，這時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)候，猴子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)最(zui)喜(xi)歡(huan)在(zai)(zai)樹林里玩耍啼叫(jiao)，人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)了(le)(le)解了(le)(le)猴子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)習性(xing)，便把(ba)這一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻與(yu)(yu)(yu)猴子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)在(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)起，于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)(you)了(le)(le)申猴。酉時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)七點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)十(shi)(shi)(shi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），太陽(yang)(yang)就(jiu)快(kuai)落山，是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)家(jia)養的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)雞(ji)該回(hui)窩的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)候了(le)(le)。家(jia)家(jia)農婦都(dou)在(zai)(zai)此(ci)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)四處(chu)轟(hong)雞(ji)入窩，于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)就(jiu)有(you)(you)了(le)(le)酉雞(ji)。戌時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（十(shi)(shi)(shi)九(jiu)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），臨(lin)睡之前(qian)，人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)往往要四處(chu)巡(xun)視一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)番，而狗正是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們(men)最(zui)喜(xi)歡(huan)也(ye)是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)最(zui)得力的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)巡(xun)邏幫手(shou)。巡(xun)視的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)刻與(yu)(yu)(yu)狗聯系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)起來(lai)成(cheng)為(wei)戌狗。亥時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)（二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)至(zhi)二(er)十(shi)(shi)(shi)三(san)點(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)），成(cheng)天吃了(le)(le)睡睡了(le)(le)吃的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)，在(zai)(zai)晚上還要喂食(shi)，深(shen)(shen)夜(ye)給豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)添食(shi)可(ke)以讓豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)長得更肥。亥時(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)，自然與(yu)(yu)(yu)豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)相(xiang)(xiang)(xiang)連(lian)，于是(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)有(you)(you)了(le)(le)亥豬(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)。
在中(zhong)(zhong)國的(de)(de)古籍中(zhong)(zhong)，有不少(shao)關于十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)的(de)(de)記(ji)載(zai)(zai)。最早(zao)的(de)(de)大概是(shi)(shi)《詩經·小雅》里(li)有：“吉日(ri)庚(geng)午(wu)，即(ji)差我馬”八個字，大意是(shi)(shi)說，庚(geng)午(wu)吉日(ri)是(shi)(shi)好(hao)時(shi)辰，適(shi)合騎馬出(chu)門打獵，已經將午(wu)與(yu)馬聯系在一起了。而(er)《論(lun)衡》中(zhong)(zhong)則有了比(bi)較明確的(de)(de)記(ji)載(zai)(zai)。《論(lun)衡》是(shi)(shi)東漢思(si)想家王充的(de)(de)著作。書中(zhong)(zhong)記(ji)載(zai)(zai)：“寅，木也(ye)(ye)(ye)，其禽，虎也(ye)(ye)(ye)。戌，土(tu)也(ye)(ye)(ye)，其禽，犬也(ye)(ye)(ye)。午(wu)，馬也(ye)(ye)(ye)。子，鼠也(ye)(ye)(ye)。酉，雞(ji)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。卯，兔也(ye)(ye)(ye)。亥(hai)，豕也(ye)(ye)(ye)。未，羊(yang)也(ye)(ye)(ye)。丑，牛也(ye)(ye)(ye)。巳(si)，蛇也(ye)(ye)(ye)。申，猴也(ye)(ye)(ye)。”這段話中(zhong)(zhong)出(chu)現了十一種生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)，獨(du)獨(du)缺少(shao)了龍。該書《言毒篇》又說：“辰為龍，巳(si)為蛇，辰、巳(si)之(zhi)位(wei)在東南。”這樣(yang)，十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)就(jiu)完整了，并且十二(er)(er)地支與(yu)十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)相(xiang)配的(de)(de)順(shun)序(xu)與(yu)今(jin)天是(shi)(shi)一樣(yang)的(de)(de)。此后(hou)，十二(er)(er)生(sheng)肖(xiao)(xiao)已經十分流(liu)行和普(pu)遍。
十二生肖至今(jin)仍然(ran)與人(ren)們的(de)生活有(you)著普遍的(de)聯系。不但每個(ge)人(ren)都有(you)自己的(de)屬相(xiang)，并且仍然(ran)有(you)紀年(nian)的(de)功(gong)能。禮尚往來的(de)過程中(zhong)，人(ren)們也(ye)喜(xi)歡送與生肖屬相(xiang)有(you)聯系的(de)禮物(wu)以圖吉利和喜(xi)慶。
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