Chinese astrology is a complex system. However, while most people are aware of the use of animals to represent each cycle of a 12-year system, they do not know about the further division of the year into months, weeks, days and hour – each with its own representative animal. When preparing a complete Chinese astrological chart, an astrologer will not look solely at the year animal. He or she will also determine which other animals are present, representative of the month, week, day and hour of birth. To be able to comprehend the entire system, it is imperative you first know the basic qualities and characteristics of each Chinese Zodiac animal.
Chinese zodiac signs and dates were officially identified during the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD), which was over 2000 years ago. There are many stories, legends and myths regarding the beginning of the zodiac, horoscope dates and the order of the animal signs. According to the most popular legend, the order of the twelve animals is closely related to the story about how these particular animals were summoned to heaven by the Jade Emperor who ruled Heaven and Earth.
The Chinese zodiac is a medium through which astrologers prepare a chart using it to interpret an individual's personality and destiny. Chinese astrology is based on the traditional astronomy and the Chinese calendar . According to Chinese astrology , people's fates and birth signs can be determined by the position of the major planets at their time of birth. The system of the twelve-year cycle of animal signs was created from observations of the orbit of the planet Jupiter. Following the orbit of Jupiter around the Sun, Chinese astronomers eventually divided the celestial circle into exactly twelve sections and rounded it to twelve years. This repeating cycle of twelve years where each year is represented by a particular animal is known as the Chinese zodiac or sheng xiao. The twelve animals of the zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep/Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
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The Chinese zodiac is an important component of China's ancient culture and as such it has been long recognized and accepted by Chinese people. According to astrology, everyone has its own animal sign that affects their behavior, character, and their destiny. Each of these animal signs belongs to one of the five Chinese zodiac elements and has unique personality traits, so the Chinese people predict people's relationship compatibility and more based on their sign. The animal year when an individual is born is called his or her Ben Ming Nian, which means Zodiac year of birth. Unlike Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac does not look at the heavenly constellations or planets to predict someone's destiny. Instead, Chinese astrology deals with the Wu Xing or the five elements of the zodiac [Earth (Tu), Fire (Huo), Water (Shui), Metal (Jin), Wood (Mu)], Yin and Yang, Chi, and the cycles of time.
Years Corresponding to Chinese Zodiac Animal Signs:
Rat: 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020
Ox: 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021
Tiger: 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022
Rabbit: 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023
Dragon: 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024
Snake: 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025
Horse: 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026
Sheep/Goat: 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027
Monkey: 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028
Rooster: 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029
Dog: 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030
Pig/Boar: 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031
1. Rat
People born under a rat sign display a quick wit when cornered. They are resourceful, and easy to get along with. Their most endearing quality is their overt honesty. Yet, they are also opportunists, quickly taking advantage of an event or person in order to achieve their goal. This drive combined with a strong sense of self-preservation makes rats survivors. Rats are best friends and lovers with a Monkey and a Dragon, but anathema to a goat, horse or snake.
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2. Ox
Those affiliated with the ox are conscientious, diligent, strong and steadfast in both their work and personal lives. They are calm but stubborn. They tend to become great leaders because of their solid work ethic and industrious approach to life in general. As traditionalists, they gain support and respect. However, their ability to be close-minded on several topics can result in alienation from many people. Oxen are compatible with the Rooster and Snake, but should avoid entanglements of any kind with the Horse, the Goat or the Monkey.
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3. Tiger
People born under the sign of the tiger are generally daring and adventurous—willing to take risks and put themselves out there. With this confident, overt nature, tigers are often socially engaging and popular at parties. On the flip side, however, their confidence can sometimes get out of hand, leading them to make impulsive, sometimes faulty, decisions. Those with a sign of the tiger will need to watch their tendencies to act too quickly or to be too reactive in emotionally charged situations. When able to channel their confidence and magnetism into positive pursuits, tigers can create a very meaningful life for themselves. They are be suited as partners with the Horse and the Dog but need to avoid relationships of any type with the Goat, the Monkey and the Rooster.
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4. Rabbit
Following the bold and brash tiger is the rabbit—opposite in many ways. Those born under the sign of the rabbit are much quieter and good-natured than their predecessor in the Zodiac is. Rabbits have a reputation for being gentle, calm, quiet and discreet. They hate arguments and avoid conflict, sometimes to their own detriment. They display style and finesse but are often too quiet and appear aloof. When Rabbits connect successfully with others it is usually with the Goat and the Pig and almost never with the Monkey, the Rooster and the Dog.
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5. Dragon
People born with the sign of the dragon are strong and fearless personalities. They are colourful, vibrant and assertive. Dragons are active. Couple this with a high degree of intelligence and you have one of the most powerful animals in the Chinese Zodiac. They are excellent leaders providing they can keep their pride and ego in check. They are most compatible with the Rat and the Monkey but are badly with the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig.
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6. Snake
The snake is one of the more mysterious animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac. People who fall under this sign are intuitive and intelligent, yet calm and quiet. Their reticence can make them hard to get to know, especially since their reserved demeanour often masks a mind going a mile a minute. Because they are smart and deep thinking, they are good in a crisis and are able to step back and consider workable solutions. As determined and smart individuals, Snakes are almost always successful in the work they undertake. Their best choices for mates and close friends are the Rooster and the Ox. They need to steer clear of the Dog, the Pig and the Rat.
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7. Horse
People born under this sign are lively and vibrant personalities. As a result, they tend to be popular with co-workers, friends and acquaintances. Horses are also energetic, optimistic and practical. They are both capable and inquisitive. Their ideal mates and friends are those who are Dogs or Tigers. They need to avoid those born as a Pig, a Rat or an Ox.
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8. Goat
Following the horse in the Chinese zodiac is its energetic opposite—the goat. Goats are known for being quiet, reserved and unemotional. An ambitious and determined individual, the Goat is realistic in his/her goals. Goats are also patient and practical making them capable of reaching their goals in their own time. Within this sign, common sense prevails. Goats tend to do best with the Rabbit and the Pig. They are not suitable for long-term relationships with the Rat, the Ox and the Tiger.
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9. Monkey
People born under the sign of the monkey are lively, yet mercenary. They are opportunistic, but companionable. Monkeys are usually successful in their ventures. This is the result of a combination of confidence (which can overreach itself) and the ability to utilize deviousness when necessary. Since Monkeys tend to be fickle, self-centred and insincere, they do not make the most reliable or faithful companions. They do best with the Dragon and the Rat but cause distress when with the Ox, the Tiger and the Rabbit.
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10. Rooster
The Rooster is very talkative, but moody. Roosters are vain, extravagant and outgoing. Unless they work with others, they rarely achieve success in their endeavours. Handsome and dignified, Roosters find happiness and success with the Snake and the Ox, but are unable to be successful or happy with the Tiger, the Rabbit and the Dragon.
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11. Dog
In the Chinese Zodiac, the dog is perceived similarly to how they are perceived in Western culture, with loyalty being their primary trait. People born under a Dog sign are patient, caring, reliable and protective. They make excellent friends, co-workers, employees, and partners because they are earnest and committed in all of their relationships. As sincere and intelligent individuals, they make worthy leaders. While compatible with the Horse and the Tiger, Dogs need to not become serious about anyone who is a Rabbit, a Dragon or a Snake.
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12. Pig
The pig is the last sign in the Chinese Zodiac, and it is a well-balanced sign. Those influenced by the Pig are often hard-working and goal-driven, but they are also able to kick back and relax or indulge their needs. Sometimes materialistic in their needs, they are fortunate in their ability to handle money. They are lucky in finances and friendships. Cultures and intelligent, Pigs find their best matches with the Goat and the Rabbit but not the Dragon, the Snake and the Horse.
An ancient Chinese time system divides each 24-hour day into 12 two-hour periods. Each period is represented by a specific animal sign in the Chinese zodiac. For example, the period of 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. is the time of the Rat. This is the time of day when rats are actively searching for food. If your sign is the Rat, these are your auspicious hours of the day.
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In Chinese astrology, the hour of your birth can be more important than the year you were born in. Therefore, the hourly calendar can be particularly informative when analyzing your character or personality as well as your destiny. As with the zodiac signs, the two-hour periods alternate from yin to yang. For example, the Ox is yin, while the Rat and Tiger, which come before and after the Ox, respectively, are yang.
Day Animals
Chinese animal signs rule over days of the week, too. The term for them is “True Animals.” If your astrologer wishes to prepare a chart, it is essential he or she knows the animals ruling the day of your birth. Given there are only seven days of the week and 12 animals, some days have more than one animal. The animal(s) for each day are as follows:
Day of the Week=Animals Attached
Monday=Sheep
Tuesday=Dragon
Wednesday=Horse
Thursday=Rat, Pig
Friday=Rabbit, Snake, Dog
Saturday=Ox, Tiger, Rooster
Sunday=Monkey
To determine your hour animal, see the table below. Please note that the times provided are Western concepts of time and that the Chinese system is very different.
Time of Birth=Animal Attached
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1am-3am=Ox
1pm-3pm=Goat
3am-5am=Tiger
3pm-5pm=Monkey
5am-7am=Rabbit
5pm-7pm=Rooster
7am-9am=Dragon
7pm-9pm=Dog
9am-11am=Snake
9pm-11pm=Pig
11am-1pm=Horse
11pm-1am=Rat
Fire
Joy, laughter, and passion are typically associated with the fire element. The desire for excitement and new experience is ever-persistent. The constant flickering and wavering of flames is symbolic of one’s constantly flowing energy. Sometimes this sentiment can be a little too intense leading to anxiety or unease, but it serves as a reminder to maintain equilibrium, never losing that energy and burning out.
Water
The water element is associated with fear and is often tied to darkness and cold. This fear, however, provides one with an awareness of the potential dangers or obstacles that could knock us off course in the ebbs and flows of our life path.
Earth
The Earth element represents worry, concern, and melancholy. Other emotions tied to Earth are pensiveness, overanalysis, and obsessiveness, which one needs to be aware of so as to prevent this element from leading them to be overly controlling.
Metal
Metal is associated with sadness or grief, as it represents an inability to be perfect. Serving as a reminder to remain stoic, strong, and resolute, metal also can prevent us from relaxing and letting go.
Wood
Wood as an element is tied to anger, frustration, and disappointment. As wood expands, it can become gnarled and stunted if it is not allowed to grow. This pent up stress can
The five generating interactions are fueling, forming, containing, carrying, and feeding:
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Wood fuels fire.
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Fire forms earth (volcanoes, ash, etc.).
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Earth contains metal.
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Metal carries water (buckets, pipes, etc.).
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Water feeds wood (trees, plants, etc.).
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The five overcoming interactions are melting, penetrating, separating, absorbing, and quenching:
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Fire melts metal
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Metal penetrates wood (chopping, sawing, drilling, nailing, screwing).
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Wood separates earth (tree roots breaking up soil/rock).
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Earth absorbs water.
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Water quenches fire.
Health
When it comes to health, the five elements are individually associated with particular organs and body parts. These element/organ pairings are subsequently associated with other parts of the body, as well as various tastes. Additionally, each element and its designated body part directly support and generate another creating one symbiotic whole.
Fire — Heart, small intestine, tongue, blood vessel; taste: bitter
Water — Kidney, Bladder, Ear, Bone; taste: salty
Earth —Spleen, Stomach, Mouth Muscle; taste Sweet
Metal —Lung, Large Intestine, Nose, Skin & Hair; taste: spicy
Wood — Liver, Gallbladder, Eye, Tendon; taste: sour
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Spirit
The five Chinese elements are balanced by five elements of spirit which are considered to be the foundational features of our mind, soul, and personality. Much like the way these elements must be balanced in other aspects of life to which they are related, these elements and their spiritual counterparts should be relatively offset and proportionally equalized. Of course, everyone’s personality is unique, so some elements dominate others, though, like anything, an abundance of one at the expense of another leads to instability. However, when it comes to the five spirits there is a subtle hierarchy.
Below are the spiritual characteristics associated with each element
Shen — the Shen is considered to be the ruler of the heart and therefore given slightly more weight compared to other spiritual elements. It is associated with the fire element.
Hun — the Hun is associated with the soul and its intangible nature. It is tied to the nature of consciousness that exists beyond the physical body. It is associated with the wood element.
Po — Unlike the Hun, Po is associated with the consciousness that is tied to the body; the consciousness that dies when our physical body dies. It is associated with the metal element.
Yi — The Yi is tied to our analytical mind and our ability to rationalize and make decisions in daily life. It is associated with the Earth element
Zhi — Zhi characterizes our willpower and determination. It is associated with the water element.
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