Which animal is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac? The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac.
The traditional Chinese zodiac is a repeating cycle of twelve signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat or Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Eleven signs are based on familiar real animals, while the Dragon is a legendary being associated with power, water, rain, and auspicious authority.
The Dragon occupies the fifth position in the cycle and is linked with the earthly branch chen. In traditional Chinese culture, dragons are generally regarded as benevolent or protective figures rather than the fire-breathing villains common in many modern Western stories. The zodiac Dragon therefore carries associations of strength, ambition, vitality, and good fortune.
Qilin, phoenixes, and turtles are also important creatures in Chinese mythology, but they are not among the twelve standard zodiac signs. The zodiac’s dragon is sometimes called a “loong” in transliteration, reflecting the Chinese cultural tradition rather than a separate animal.