As legend would have it, it was Buddha himself who gave each animal its place in the Asian zodiac. When he called all the animals together following the creation, only twelve felt it necessary to attend the meeting. As a reward for their effort in making the long journey, Buddha offered each of them their own year, which would from then on bear the name of that animal. In addition, each animal was also given the opportunity to directly influence history during that time - and thus, in turn, the fate of those humans born in that year. Analogous to the characteristics of the respective animal symbol, and by means of your date of birth, you too can read those characteristic traits that may - or may not - apply to you. This colorful set of zodiac coins comes in an attractive, large case and offers an orderly and serene veiw of the full calendar of animals. If you have an interest in tracking relations between the zodiac years then this set would be a wonderful asset or a stunning gift.