In the traditional Chinese zodiac race legend, the Rat won by riding on the Ox’s back.
The story says the Jade Emperor organized a race to decide the order of the zodiac animals. The Ox appeared likely to finish first because it was strong and diligent. The Rat secretly climbed onto the Ox and jumped down just before the finish line, claiming first place.
This tale explains why the Rat comes before the Ox in the familiar 12-animal sequence. It is a folk story, not a historical account of how the zodiac was scientifically or administratively created. Early Chinese calendrical traditions developed over many centuries, while the race narrative became a popular explanation for the established order.
Different versions add details, including a Cat that was supposedly tricked by the Rat. Cats are not part of the standard Chinese cycle, although they appear in some regional zodiac traditions and in modern retellings of the legend.