| According to Chinese legend, the twelve | | | | likely to have been born in their current |
| animals quarreled one day as to who was to | | | | recognizable form around 3000 years BC, |
| head the cycle of years. The gods were asked | | | | however they stem from entirely different |
| to decide and they held a contest; whoever | | | | beginnings as well as traditions and parts of |
| was to reach the opposite bank of the river | | | | the world. |
| would be first, and the rest of the animals | | | | |
| would receive their years according to their | | | | The 12 animals are further flavored by the |
| finish. | | | | pervading element of that particular year |
| | | | (elements also revolve as a separate cycle). |
| All the twelve animals gathered at the river | | | | It is said that Buddha is responsible for the |
| bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the | | | | 12 animals as they were the only ones who |
| rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was | | | | came to bid him farewell into the next life. |
| about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the | | | | |
| ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was | | | | Chinese Astrology is concerned with nature |
| very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat | | | | and its traits, the signs progress year by |
| is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox | | | | year, whereas Western Astrology cycles |
| second, and the pig last. | | | | monthly. The consideration of Yin and Yang is |
| | | | a very great influence upon this subject, Yin |
| The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle | | | | being passive, female and receptive while |
| used for dating the years. They represent a | | | | Yang is aggressive, male and exploratory. The |
| cyclical concept of time, rather than the | | | | various permutations of these two essential |
| Western linear concept of time. In the | | | | forces in nature, places, organizations, |
| Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year | | | | events and humanity and the quest to achieve |
| falls somewhere between late January and | | | | balance so that both operate together in |
| early February. The Chinese have adopted the | | | | harmony rather than opposing or canceling |
| Western calendar since 1911, but the lunar | | | | each other out are an essentially Oriental |
| calendar is still used for festive occasions | | | | viewpoint and quest, they form the basis of |
| such as the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese | | | | many Far Eastern traditions and other |
| calendars will print both the solar dates and | | | | influences in Chinese Society such as Feng |
| the Chinese lunar dates. | | | | Shui. |
| | | | |
| A cultural sidelight of the animal signs in | | | | The 12 Animal Signs are : Rat, Ox, Tiger, |
| Chinese folklore is that horoscopes have | | | | Rabbit (or Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat |
| developed around the animal signs, much like | | | | (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The |
| monthly horoscopes in the West have been | | | | animal ruling year in which you were born has |
| developed for the different moon signs, | | | | a profound influence on your life. |
| Pisces, Aries, etc. For example, a Chinese | | | | |
| horoscope may predict that a person born in | | | | As the Chinese say, This is the animal that |
| the Year of the Horse would be, cheerful, | | | | hides in your heart. |
| popular, and loves to compliment others. | | | | |
| These horoscopes are amusing, but not | | | | There are five elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, |
| regarded seriously by the Chinese people. | | | | Metal and Water, each adding a nuance of |
| | | | almost tactile character to the animal sign. |
| Chinese Astrology is said by some scholars to | | | | Chinese Astrology is based on the Chinese |
| be the oldest horoscope system in the world. | | | | calendar year of your birth or the year of an |
| However if you trace Western Astrology back | | | | event. There are also many more nuances |
| to its Middle East roots, both types are | | | | involving the month and day. |