The 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs are in ordered as: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

You may wonder why they are arranged in such an order. Go on with my introduction and then you will get it.

Zi(子) refers to time quantum from 23:00 to 1:00, during which it is the darkest time of one day and the rat comes alive while other animals are having a rest, so Zi is paired up with rat.

Chou(丑) refers to time quantum from 1:00 to 3:00. During this time, the ox is busying with eating enough herbage for the early morning’s cultivation, so Chou is paired up with ox.

Yin(寅) refers to time quantum from 3:00 to 5:00. During this time, the tiger is the most fierce animal who comes out to forage, so Yin is paired up with tiger.

Mao(卯) refers to time quantum from 5:00 to 7:00. During this time, the moon is still light on earth, which reminds people of the rabbit in the moon palace in the legend. So Mao is paired up with rabbit.

Chen(辰) refers to time quantum from 7:00 to 9:00. It is said that during this time, many dragons in the legend work together to make it rain, so Chenis paired up with dragon.

Si(巳) refers to time quantum from 9:00 to 11:00. Snake will not attack human being during this time. So Si is paired up with snake.

Wu(午) refers to time quantum from 11:00 to 13:00. During this time, Yang becomes fade and Yin begins, and horse is a kind of animals with Yin. So Wu is paired up with horse.

Wei(未) refers to time quantum from 13:00 to 15:00. If the goat eat the grass at this time, the grass will grow as fast as it has not been eaten. So Weiis paired up with Goat.

Shen(申) refers to time quantum from 15:00 to 17:00. During this time, the monkey is easily to cry, so Shen is paired up with Monkey.

You(酉) refers to time quantum from 17:00 to 19:00, during which the rooster goes back to its nest. So You is paired up with rooster.

Xu(戌) refers to time quantum from 19:00 to 21:00, during which the dog start its work as a watchdog. So Xu is paired up with dog.

Hai(亥) refers to time quantum from 21:00 to 23:00. During this time, the pig sleeps the deepest, so Hai is paired up with pig.