Created by Canadian Artist, Charles Alexander Moffat.

Many years ago, before my grandfather's grandfather's time, the Great Spirit looked down and saw a group of animals on the side of a ice-covered river. The animals were arguing over who was the best. Polar Bear was the biggest, Loon and Goose could both fly, Gray Wolf was the best hunter, Fox and Coyote were arguably the smartest/wisest, and so on. Great Spirit didn't want the animals to argue, so instead he decided to hold a contest to settle the dispute. He explained to the animals, that each animal during their time and place is the best. Sometimes Polar Bear is the best, and sometimes Muskrat is the best. He declared that the animals should race across the icy river, and whatever the order they arrived in, that would be the order in which they are best.

Muskrat Caribou Gray Wolf Hare Polar Bear Coyote Moose Grizzly Fox Loon Beaver Goose

So the animals raced, but the weight of Polar Bear, Moose and Caribou was too much. They crashed through the ice and caused all the other animals to get caught in the icy cold water too. Beaver is a good swimmer, but he isn't used to the cold water because he usually sleeps in the winter. Polar Bear didn't mind the cold, but he was a very slow swimmer. Goose had been trying to fly across the river, but when the ice broke, he lost his footing and fell into the water too. Muskrat however was skilled at jumping. He jumped on top of the other animals and used them like stepping stones to cross over to where the ice was not broken. Then he ran safely to the other side. The rest of the animals followed more slowly. Goose came in last because it takes a long time for him to speed up to the speed necessary for him to fly. The final order of the animals was: Muskrat, Caribou, Gray Wolf, Hare, Polar Bear, Coyote, Moose, Grizzly, Fox, Loon, Beaver and Goose.

Year of the Muskrat

People born in the Year of the Muskrat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. Maybe they smell good or maybe they are blessed with a beautiful body and the charm to match. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Muskrat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful.

Year of the Caribou

People born in the Year of the Caribou (or Buffalo) are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent at speaking. Caribou people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. If they encounter an obstacle, they must beat it.

Year of the Gray Wolf

Gray Wolf people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes Gray Wolf people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. They are often willing to fight against even the most dire of odds. Sometimes Gray Wolf people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decisions or a sound decision that they arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful.

Year of the Hare

People born in the Year of the Hare are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Hare people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Hare people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, and almost never back out of a contract or a promise. They might make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise.

Year of the Polar Bear

People born in the Year of the Polar Bear are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Polar Bear people are the most eccentric of any in the Canadian zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them.

Year of the Coyote

People born in the Year of the Coyote are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Coyote people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Coyote people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Coyote people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle.

The Canadian Zodiac was created by Charles Alexander Moffat, a Canadian artist known for his patriotism and his sometimes controversial art pieces. He based the Canadian Zodiac on the Chinese Zodiac, because he felt the twelve year cycle was more symbolic than the 12 month cycle of the Greek Zodiac. Plus most of the Greek Zodiac isn't based on real animals/creatures. Many of the creatures in the Canadian Zodiac can be found on Canadian money and other Canadian symbols. He decided to let caribou and buffalo share the same category because their animal personalities are similar.