Chinese zodiac
The Chinese zodiac (in Mandarin Shēngxiào, "year of birth") is the twelve-year cycle in which each year is associated with an animal and a fundamental elemental energy. The 12 animals — Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig — characterise the personalities born in each year. Used along with the 5 Chinese elements in 60-year cycles.
Origin and history
The Chinese zodiac of 12 animals has been documented for at least 2,000 years in China, with antecedents possibly even more ancient. The traditional foundational legend recounts that the Jade Emperor announced a great race of animals to mark the time. The first 12 animals to arrive received each one its own year. Number 1: Rat (clever — got on the bull and jumped at the last second to win); 2: Ox; 3: Tiger; 4: Rabbit; 5: Dragon; 6: Snake; 7: Horse; 8: Goat; 9: Monkey; 10: Rooster; 11: Dog; 12: Pig. Each one with its own personality.
The system is much more complex than just "animal of the year". The complete Chinese astrology combines: animal of birth year (general personality, 12 years cycle), animal of birth month (inner feelings), animal of birth day (deeper soul), animal of birth hour (personality projected to others, similar to ascendant in Western astrology). Plus: 5 elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) that complete a 60-year cycle (12 animals × 5 elements). Plus: yin/yang alternating each year. The complete system is enormously rich and detailed.
Personality of each animal
Rat: clever, charming, ambitious, sometimes manipulative. Ox: hardworking, reliable, patient, sometimes stubborn. Tiger: brave, charismatic leader, magnetic, sometimes rebel. Rabbit: gentle, diplomatic, peace-loving, sometimes shy. Dragon: powerful, lucky, magnetic, sometimes arrogant. Snake: deep, intuitive, mysterious, sometimes manipulative.
Horse: free, energetic, sociable, sometimes restless. Goat (or sheep): creative, sensitive, kind, sometimes worried. Monkey: clever, fun, versatile, sometimes mischievous. Rooster: confident, hardworking, perfectionist, sometimes vain. Dog: loyal, honest, just, sometimes anxious. Pig: generous, sincere, kind, sometimes naive. Each animal has its own characteristics, compatibilities and incompatibilities with other animals, especially favourable years and lucky directions.
Important: Chinese New Year
Important: the Chinese astrological year does NOT begin on January 1, but on Chinese New Year — variable date between January 21 and February 20 according to the lunar calendar (specifically, the second new moon after the winter solstice). Therefore: people born before Chinese New Year still belong to the previous animal/year, not the calendar year. Always verify with the appropriate conversion table or online calculator. 2024: Year of the Wood Dragon. 2025: Year of the Wood Snake. 2026: Year of the Fire Horse (a particularly intense year in tradition — every Fire Horse is considered to bring strong characters). 2027: Year of the Fire Goat. Each year has its predominant energy that affects everyone, modulated by the personal animal.
Also known as
- Shengxiao
- Sheng Xiao
- Animals of the Chinese zodiac