The snake 蛇 is the sixth of the twelve-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac, related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Snake is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 巳. According to one legend, there's a reason for the order of the animals in the cycle. A race was held to cross a great river, and the order of the animals was based on their finishing times. In this story, the snake compensated for not being the best swimmer by hitching a hidden ride on the horse's hoof. When the horse was about to cross the finish line, the snake jumped out, scaring the horse and edging it out for sixth place.