Chinese Horoscope and the Zodiac

chinese horoscope   There are many ancient astrological systems. The Mayan and Egyptian cultures developed and used astrological charts to predict world events, and interpret personal horoscopes. Aside from the Western zodiac, the Chinese zodiac and horoscope system is probably the best known.

The twelve Chinese zodiac symbols are represented by animals. While Chinese Horoscope is based on the year of one’s birth, rather than on the monthly calendar used by Western astrologers, the Chinese horoscope also incorporates the five earthly elements. Five of the planets are aligned with these five elements: Saturn aligns to Earth, Mercury aligns to Water, Jupiter aligns to Wood, and Mars to Fire.

The Chinese astrological system may seem less complicated than the Western system, but there are numerous subsystems used by Chinese astrologers. These subsystems include ‘inner’ and ‘secret’ animals defined by the month of birth, and the Ying-Yang cycle wherein odd years are defined as ‘Yin’ and even years are defined as ‘Yang’.

The cycle of animals begins each year on the Chinese New Year. Children born in January or during the first part of February are said to be ruled by the animal from the previous year, because the cycle does not begin on January first, but rather at the start of spring. The sequence of Chinese zodiac animals is as follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar (or Pig). If your child is born in 2007, he or she will be born under the sign of the Boar.

In Chinese lore, the sequence of animals was determined by a race. The Rat – the first in the sequence of twelve – was said to have won by tricking the Ox into carrying him across the water, then jumping off the Ox’s head to spring ahead and win the race and a place of honor as the first in line in the Chinese zodiac.

While there are twelve animals in the Chinese astrological chart, the system is actually based on a ten year solar and lunar cycle. At the end of the ten year cycle, the cycle begins again, but this time with the eleventh and twelfth animals assigned to year one and two of the next ten year cycle – and so the revolving cycle continues. Therefore, while the Rat rules those born in 1900, those born in 1910 are ruled by the Dog.

If you are interested in finding out more about the ancient practice of Chinese Horoscope, you might start by determining your own birth year animal. Here is some information you might find helpful. Find your birth year and see if you agree with the summary of your personal traits and character.

Rat Charming, High Standards, Generous, Bad Temper
Birth Year 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984

Ox Conservative, Good Craftsman, Leader, Organized
Birth Year 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985

Tiger Sensitive, Stubborn, Great Lover, Emotional
Birth Year 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986

Rabbit Peace Maker, Soft Spoken, Moody, Quiet
Birth Year 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987

Dragon Energetic, Smart, High Standards, Frank
Birth Year 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988

Snake Romantic, Charming, Wise, Introspective, Procrastinates
Birth Year 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989

Horse Independent, Works Hard, Adventurous, Smart
Birth Year 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990

Goat Charming, Artistic, Materialistic, Complainer
Birth Year 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991

Monkey Smart, Charismatic, Successful, Witty
Birth Year 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992

Rooster Frank, Well Dressed, Smart, Works Hard
Birth Year 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993

Dog Faithful, Honest, Good Friend, Critical, High Standards
Birth Year 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982

Boar Honest, Naïve, Sincere, Materialistic, Sets Goals
Birth Year 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983