Are you an explorer? Are you an astrology enthusiast who loves to study various zodiac calendars? Or are you curious to learn various astrological trends and compare your personality traits from one zodiac school to another? If any of these is what interests you then you must explore the Chinese Zodiac Calendar or Sheng Xiao. In fact, it has a unique and very interesting way of explaining your personality traits. It takes the help of 12 animals, each representing each year in a 12-year cycle.
History
Although it is claimed that Chinese zodiac originated in the Zhan Guo period(5th century B.C), it was officially introduced during the Han Dynasty(206 B.C. – 9 A .D.). Gradually, it became the most popular way of determining a person’s birth year and his traits. In fact, it became common astrological practice during and after the North Zhou Dynasty (557-581 A.D.).
Features of Chinese Zodiac Calendar
Chinese Zodiac Calendar is based on the lunar calendar. In fact, it is according to these phases of the moon the Chinese astrologers calculated hours, days, months and a year. It includes both Celestial Stem and Terrestrial Branch.
The Chinese Zodiac does not have zodiac names like in western or Indian astrology, instead, they refer to a constellation by the name of the assigned animals. These animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Moreover, each of these animals represents a year in a 12-year cycle, a day in the 12-day cycle, and every two hours in 24 hours of a day. According, to the Chinese zodiac calendar 2019 was a Pig year, which marks the end of a period of 12 years, hence the next cycle of 12 years will start with Rat in 2020.
12 Animal Signs And Their Personality Traits
Rat – Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind
Ox – Diligent, dependable, strong, determined
Tiger – Brave, confident, competitive
Rabbit – Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible
Dragon – Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
Snake – Enigmatic, intelligent, wise
Horse – Animated, active, energetic
Goat – Calm, gentle, sympathetic
Monkey – Sharp, smart, curiosity
Rooster – Observant, hardworking, courageous
Dog – Lovely, honest, prudent
Pig – Compassionate, generous, diligent
Basic Difference Between Western Zodiac And Chinese Zodiac
While western zodiac stresses the month in which you are born, the Chinese zodiac calculates your present, past and future according to the year you are born. They do not take the month of your birth into consideration. For example, if you were born in any one of these years 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, or 2009, you will be an Ox, like me. The particular animal sign will decide your fortunes and destiny.
Now, you can also find out your animal sign according to the year you belong to, just find out your year from below and match your traits.
Rat – 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox – 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger – 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit – 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon – 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Snake – 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse- 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Goat – 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Monkey – 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Rooster – 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Dog – 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Pig – 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
A chinese new year eve takes place on 25th of January, as per their lunar calendar. Hence, the yaer of Rat(2020) will commence from 25th January, 2020.
Chinese Sign Compatibility
It is very important to understand Chinese sign compatibility according to their zodiac system. In marriage, companionship or in business sign compatibility goes a long way in contributing to a healthy and productive relationship. In case, it is absent negative circumstances have been witnessed. Mentioned below is their compatibility chart.
- Rat: Ox, Dragon, Rabbit
- Ox: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster
- Tiger: Dragon, Horse, or Pig
- Rabbit: Rat, Goat, Monkey, Dog, Pig
- Dragon: Rat, Tiger or Snake
- Snake: Dragon, Rooster
- Horse: Goat, Tiger
- Goat: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
- Monkey: Ox, Rabbit
- Rooster: Ox, Snake
- Dog: Rabbit
- Pig: Goat, Tiger, Rabbit
Yin And Yang
Each Sign in Sheng Xiao rotates between five elements, which are, water, earth, wood, metal and fire, and yin and yang. Since there are 12 signs, 6 falls under yin and 6 under yan. Yin signs are Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Goat, Rooster, and Pig. While Yang are Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, and Dog.
