Chinese zodiac

The Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns

an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. Originating
from China, the zodiac and its variations remain popular in many East Asian and Southeast
Asian countries, such as Japan,[1] South Korea,[2] Vietnam,[2] Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand.
[3]

Identifying this scheme using the generic term "zodiac" reflects several superficial similarities to
the Western zodiac: both have time cycles divided into twelve parts, each labels at least the majority
of those parts with names of animals, and each is widely associated with a culture of ascribing a
person's personality or events in their life to the supposed influence of the person's particular
relationship to the cycle.
Nevertheless, there are major differences between the two: the animals of the Chinese zodiac are
not associated with constellations spanned by the ecliptic plane. The Chinese twelve-part cycle
corresponds to years, rather than months. The Chinese zodiac is represented by twelve animals,
whereas some of the signs in the Western zodiac are not animals, despite the implication of
the etymology of the English word zodiac, which derives from zōdiacus, the Latinized form of
the Ancient Greek zōdiakòs kýklos (ζῳδιακός κύκλος), meaning "cycle of animals".
The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat. The following are the twelve zodiac signs in
order, each with its associated characteristics (Earthly Branch, yin/yang force, Trine, and nature
element).[4]

Anima
Number Characters Yin/yang Trine Fixed element
l

1 Rat 鼠, shǔ (子) Yang 1st Water

2 Ox 牛, niú (丑) Yin 2nd Earth

3 Tiger 虎, hǔ (寅) Yang 3rd Wood

4 Rabbit 兔, tù (卯) Yin 4th Wood

5 Dragon 龙/龍, lóng (辰) Yang 1st Earth

6 Snake 蛇, shé (巳) Yin 2nd Fire

 Anima
Number Characters Yin/yang Trine Fixed element
l

7 Horse 马/馬, mǎ (午) Yang 3rd Fire

8 Goat 羊, yáng (未) Yin 4th Earth

9 Monkey 猴, hóu (申) Yang 1st Metal

10 Rooster 鸡/雞, jī (酉) Yin 2nd Metal

11 Dog 狗, gǒu (戌) Yang 3rd Earth

12 Pig 猪/豬, zhū (亥) Yin 4th Water

In Chinese astrology the animal signs assigned by year represent how others perceive one or how
one presents oneself. It is a common misconception that the animals assigned by year are the only
signs, and many Western descriptions of Chinese astrology draw solely on this system. In fact, there
are also animal signs assigned by month (called "inner animals"), by day (called "true animals")
and hours (called "secret animals"). The Earth is all twelve signs, with five seasons.

Decans[edit]
The Chinese zodiac features decans in the form of thirty-six calendar animals (Sanjūroku Kingyōzō
三十六禽形像; alternatively known as the Chikusan Reiki 畜産暦). The group originated in China,
wherein the 36 were divided into four clusters, with each cluster made up of nine animal-deity pairs.
The four clusters represent the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). The animals are
also grouped in triads—three animals are combined under one of 12 zodiac signs. In Japan, the
group appeared in the Nichū Reki 二中暦, a Japanese calendar from the second half of the 14th
century. Eight of the 36 appear “fox like”—almost identical in physical attributes. These eight include
the tanuki, mujna, fox, wolf, jackal, wild cat, and wild male-female dogs. The mujina, fox and rabbit
are combined under the zodiacal sign of the rabbit. The tanuki, leopard, and tiger are combined
under the zodiacal sign of the tiger.[5][6]
 East Asian Zodiac[6]

Zodiac First animal Second animal Third animal

Rat Cat (貓)[note 1] Rat (鼠) Bat (伏翼)

Ox Cattle (牛) Crab (蟹) Turtle (鱉)

Tiger Raccoon dog (狸)[note 2] Leopard (豹) Tiger (虎)

Rabbit Fox (狐)[note 3] Rabbit (兔) Badger (貉)[note 4]

Dragon Dragon (龍) Shark (鮫) Fish (魚)

Snake Cicada (蟬) Carp (鯉) Snake (蛇)

Horse Deer (鹿) Horse (馬) Roebuck (麞)

Goat Sheep (羊) Goose (雁) Hawk or falcon (鷹)

Monkey Gibbon (狖)[note 5][7][8] Ape (猿)[note 6][8] Monkey (猴)[note 7][8]

Rooster Raven (烏) Chicken (雞) Pheasant (雉)

Dog Dog (狗, see Inugami) Wolf (狼) Ch. Dhole, Ja. Honshu wolf (豺)

Pig Pig (豕)[note 8][5] Domestic pig (豕 俞)[note 9][5] Wild boar (豬)[note 10][5]

Years[edit]
Main article: Sexagenary cycle
Within the Four Pillars, the year is the pillar representing information about the person's family
background and society or relationship with their grandparents. The person's age can also be easily
deduced from the sign of the person, the current sign of the year and the person's perceived age
(teens, mid-20s, 40s and so on). For example, a person who is a Tiger is either 12, 24, 36 or 48
years old in 2010, the year of the Tiger. In 2011, the year of the Rabbit, that person is one year
older.
The following table shows the 60-year cycle matched up to the Gregorian calendar for the years
1924–2043 (see sexagenary cycle article for years 1804–2043). The sexagenary cycle begins
at lichun about February 4 according to some astrological sources.[9][10]

Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Feb 05 1924– Feb 02 1984–

1 Yang Wood 甲 子 Rat
Jan 23 1925 Feb 19 1985

Jan 24 1925– Feb 20 1985–

2 Yin Wood 乙 丑 Ox
Feb 12 1926 Feb 08 1986

Feb 13 1926– Feb 09 1986–

3 Yang Fire 丙 寅 Tiger
Feb 01 1927 Jan 28 1987

Feb 02 1927– Jan 29 1987–

4 Yin Fire 丁 卯 Rabbit
Jan 22 1928 Feb 16 1988

Jan 23 1928– Feb 17 1988–

5 Yang Earth 戊 辰 Dragon
Feb 09 1929 Feb 05 1989

Feb 10 1929– Feb 06 1989–

6 Yin Earth 己 巳 Snake
Jan 29 1930 Jan 26 1990

7 Jan 30 1930– Yang Metal 庚 午 Horse Jan 27 1990–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Feb 16 1931 Feb 14 1991

Feb 17 1931– Feb 15 1991–

8 Yin Metal 辛 未 Goat
Feb 05 1932 Feb 03 1992

Feb 06 1932– Feb 04 1992–

9 Yang Water 壬 申 Monkey
Jan 25 1933 Jan 22 1993

Jan 26 1933– Jan 23 1993–

10 Yin Water 癸 酉 Rooster
Feb 13 1934 Feb 09 1994

Feb 14 1934– Feb 10 1994–

11 Yang Wood 甲 戌 Dog
Feb 03 1935 Jan 30 1995

Feb 04 1935– Jan 31 1995–

12 Yin Wood 乙 亥 Pig
Jan 23 1936 Feb 18 1996

Jan 24 1936– Feb 19 1996–

13 Yang Fire 丙 子 Rat
Feb 10 1937 Feb 06 1997

Feb 11 1937– Feb 07 1997–

14 Yin Fire 丁 丑 Ox
Jan 30 1938 Jan 27 1998

Jan 31 1938– Jan 28 1998–

15 Yang Earth 戊 寅 Tiger
Feb 18 1939 Feb 15 1999

Feb 19 1939– Feb 16 1999–

16 Yin Earth 己 卯 Rabbit
Feb 07 1940 Feb 04 2000

17 Feb 08 1940– Yang Metal 庚 辰 Dragon Feb 05 2000–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Jan 26 1941 Jan 23 2001

Jan 27 1941– Jan 24 2001–

18 Yin Metal 辛 巳 Snake
Feb 14 1942 Feb 11 2002

Feb 15 1942– Feb 12 2002–

19 Yang Water 壬 午 Horse
Feb 04 1943 Jan 31 2003

Feb 05 1943– Feb 01 2003–

20 Yin Water 癸 未 Goat
Jan 24 1944 Jan 21 2004

Jan 25 1944– Jan 22 2004–

21 Yang Wood 甲 申 Monkey
Feb 12 1945 Feb 08 2005

Feb 13 1945– Feb 09 2005–

22 Yin Wood 乙 酉 Rooster
Feb 01 1946 Jan 28 2006

Feb 02 1946– Jan 29 2006–

23 Yang Fire 丙 戌 Dog
Jan 21 1947 Feb 17 2007

Jan 22 1947– Feb 18 2007–

24 Yin Fire 丁 亥 Pig
Feb 09 1948 Feb 06 2008

Feb 10 1948– Feb 07 2008–

25 Yang Earth 戊 子 Rat
Jan 28 1949 Jan 25 2009

Jan 29 1949– Jan 26 2009–

26 Yin Earth 己 丑 Ox
Feb 16 1950 Feb 13 2010

27 Feb 17 1950– Yang Metal 庚 寅 Tiger Feb 14 2010–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Feb 05 1951 Feb 02 2011

Feb 06 1951– Feb 03 2011–

28 Yin Metal 辛 卯 Rabbit
Jan 26 1952 Jan 22 2012

Jan 27 1952– Jan 23 2012–

29 Yang Water 壬 辰 Dragon
Feb 13 1953 Feb 09 2013

Feb 14 1953– Feb 10 2013–

30 Yin Water 癸 巳 Snake
Feb 02 1954 Jan 30 2014

Feb 03 1954– Jan 31 2014–

31 Yang Wood 甲 午 Horse
Jan 23 1955 Feb 18 2015

Jan 24 1955– Feb 19 2015–

32 Yin Wood 乙 未 Goat
Feb 11 1956 Feb 07 2016

Feb 12 1956– Feb 08 2016–

33 Yang Fire 丙 申 Monkey
Jan 30 1957 Jan 27 2017

Jan 31 1957– Jan 28 2017–

34 Yin Fire 丁 酉 Rooster
Feb 17 1958 Feb 15 2018

Feb 18 1958– Feb 16 2018–

35 Yang Earth 戊 戌 Dog
Feb 07 1959 Feb 04 2019

Feb 08 1959– Feb 05 2019–

36 Yin Earth 己 亥 Pig
Jan 27 1960 Jan 24 2020

37 Jan 28 1960– Yang Metal 庚 子 Rat Jan 25 2020–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Feb 14 1961 Feb 11 2021

Feb 15 1961– Feb 12 2021–

38 Yin Metal 辛 丑 Ox
Feb 04 1962 Jan 31 2022

Feb 05 1962– Feb 01 2022–

39 Yang Water 壬 寅 Tiger
Jan 24 1963 Jan 21 2023

Jan 25 1963– Jan 22 2023–

40 Yin Water 癸 卯 Rabbit
Feb 12 1964 Feb 09 2024

Feb 13 1964– Feb 10 2024–

41 Yang Wood 甲 辰 Dragon
Feb 01 1965 Jan 28 2025

Feb 02 1965– Jan 29 2025–

42 Yin Wood 乙 巳 Snake
Jan 20 1966 Feb 16 2026

Jan 21 1966– Feb 17 2026–

43 Yang Fire 丙 午 Horse
Feb 08 1967 Feb 05 2027

Feb 09 1967– Feb 06 2027–

44 Yin Fire 丁 未 Goat
Jan 29 1968 Jan 25 2028

Jan 30 1968– Jan 26 2028–

45 Yang Earth 戊 申 Monkey
Feb 16 1969 Feb 12 2029

Feb 17 1969– Feb 13 2029–

46 Yin Earth 己 酉 Rooster
Feb 05 1970 Feb 02 2030

47 Feb 06 1970– Yang Metal 庚 戌 Dog Feb 03 2030–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Jan 26 1971 Jan 22 2031

Jan 27 1971– Jan 23 2031–

48 Yin Metal 辛 亥 Pig
Feb 14 1972 Feb 10 2032

Feb 15 1972– Feb 11 2032–

49 Yang Water 壬 子 Rat
Feb 02 1973 Jan 30 2033

Feb 03 1973– Jan 31 2033–

50 Yin Water 癸 丑 Ox
Jan 22 1974 Feb 18 2034

Jan 23 1974– Feb 19 2034–

51 Yang Wood 甲 寅 Tiger
Feb 10 1975 Feb 07 2035

Feb 11 1975– Feb 08 2035–

52 Yin Wood 乙 卯 Rabbit
Jan 30 1976 Jan 27 2036

Jan 31 1976– Jan 28 2036–

53 Yang Fire 丙 辰 Dragon
Feb 17 1977 Feb 14 2037

Feb 18 1977– Feb 15 2037–

54 Yin Fire 丁 巳 Snake
Feb 06 1978 Feb 03 2038

Feb 07 1978– Feb 04 2038–

55 Yang Earth 戊 午 Horse
Jan 27 1979 Jan 23 2039

Jan 28 1979– Jan 24 2039–

56 Yin Earth 己 未 Goat
Feb 15 1980 Feb 11 2040

57 Feb 16 1980– Yang Metal 庚 申 Monkey Feb 12 2040–

 Year Year
Associate
Heavenly Earthly Associated
d
stem branch animal
element
1924–1983 1984–2043

Feb 04 1981 Jan 31 2041

Feb 05 1981– Feb 01 2041–

58 Yin Metal 辛 酉 Rooster
Jan 24 1982 Jan 21 2042

Jan 25 1982– Jan 22 2042–

59 Yang Water 壬 戌 Dog
Feb 12 1983 Feb 09 2043

Feb 13 1983– Feb 10 2043–

60 Yin Water 癸 亥 Pig
Feb 01 1984 Jan 29 2044

Months and solar terms

Within the Four Pillars, the month is the pillar representing information about the person's parents or
childhood. Many Chinese astrologers consider the month pillar to be the most important one in
determining the circumstances of one's adult life.
The twelve animals are also linked to the traditional Chinese agricultural calendar, which runs
alongside the better known Lunar calendar. Instead of months, this calendar is divided into 24 two-
week segments known as Solar Terms. Each animal is linked to two of these solar terms for a period
similar to the Western month. Unlike the 60 year Lunar calendar, which can vary by as much as a
month in relation to the Gregorian calendar, the agricultural calendar varies by only one day,
beginning on the Gregorian calendar on 3 or 4 February every year. Again unlike the cycle of the
lunar years, which begins with the Rat, the agricultural calendar begins with the Tiger as it is the first
animal of spring.
As each sign is linked to a month of the solar year, it is thereby also linked to a season. Each of the
elements are also linked to a season (see above), and the element that shares a season with a sign
is known as the sign's fixed element. In other words, that element is believed to impart some of its
characteristics to the sign concerned. The fixed element of each sign applies also to the year and
hour signs, and not just the monthly sign. The fixed element is separate from the cycle of elements
which interact with the signs in the 60-year cycle.
 Appro
Fixed Solar x.
Seaso Lunar Solar Approx. Gregorian d
eleme longitud Wester
n month term ate
nt e n
zodiac

立春
315° Feb 4 Aquarius
lìchūn
1st – 寅
Wood
(yin) Tiger
雨水
330° yǔshuǐ Mar 5

Pisces
啓蟄 qǐzhé
345° (驚蟄 Mar 6
jīngzhé)
Spring 2nd – 卯
Wood
(mao) Rabbit
春分
0° Apr 4
chūnfēn
Aries
清明
15° qīngmíng Apr 5
3rd – 辰
(chen) Drago Earth
n
30° 穀雨 gǔyǔ May 4
Taurus
Summer 45° 立夏 lìxià May 5
4th – 巳
Fire
(si) Snake
小滿
60° Jun 5
xiǎomǎn

Gemini
芒種
75° mángzhòn Jun 6
5th – 午 g
Fire
(wu) Horse

90° 夏至 xiàzhì Jul 6 Cancer

6th – 未 Earth 105° 小暑 Jul 7

xiǎoshǔ
 Appro
Fixed Solar x.
Seaso Lunar Solar Approx. Gregorian d
eleme longitud Wester
n month term ate
nt e n
zodiac

(wei) Goat
大暑
120° dàshǔ Aug 6
Leo

135° 立秋 lìqiū Aug 7

7th – 申
(shen) Monk Metal
ey 處暑
150° chùshǔ Sep 7
Virgo

165° 白露 báilù Sep 8

8th – 酉
(you) Rooste Metal
Autumn
r 秋分
180° qiūfēn Oct 7
Libra

195° 寒露 hánlù Oct 8

9th – 戌
Earth
(xu) Dog 霜降
210° shuāngjiàn Nov 6
g
Scorpio

Winter 立冬
225° Nov 7
lìdōng
10th – 亥
Water
(hai) Pig
小雪 Sagittariu
240° xiǎoxuě Dec 6
s

11th – 子 Water 255° 大雪 Dec 7

dàxuě
 Appro
Fixed Solar x.
Seaso Lunar Solar Approx. Gregorian d
eleme longitud Wester
n month term ate
nt e n
zodiac

冬至
(zi) Rat 270° Jan 5
dōngzhì
Capricorn
小寒
285° xiǎohán Jan 6

12th – 丑
Earth
(chou) Ox
大寒 Aquarius
300° dàhán Feb 3

Day[edit]
Four pillars calculators can determine the zodiac animal of the day.[11] Chinese animal signs rule over
days of the week, too. The term for them is "True Animals". If one's astrologer wishes to prepare
an astrological chart (aka horoscope), it is essential they know the animal and element of one's day
of birth. However, due to there being twelve animals and a ten-day week on the ancient Chinese
calendar, it is not easy to find one's day element or animal. As the Day Master (element) affects the
element of the Hour animal, among other things, caution is required when calculating this part of the
chart. A professional will likely have tools for such a calculator on hand, but many online calculators
that feature all four animals will also provide an accurate chart.

Compatibility

As the Chinese zodiac is derived according to the ancient Five Elements Theory, every Chinese sign
is associated with five elements with relations, among those elements, of interpolation, interaction,
over-action, and counter-action—believed to be the common law of motions and changes of
creatures in the universe. Different people born under each animal sign supposedly have different
personalities, and practitioners of Chinese astrology consult such traditional details and
compatibilities to offer putative guidance in life or for love and marriage.[12]
 Chinese zodiac compatibility grid[13]

Super
Harmful
Best match Average match bad
Sign (best
(friendly) (conflict
(compatible) avoid)
)

Rat Dragon, Monkey, Rat Pig, Tiger, Dog, Snake, Rabbit, Rooster, Ox Horse Goat

Ox Snake, Rooster, Ox Monkey, Dog, Rabbit, Tiger, Dragon, Pig, Rat Goat Horse

Tiger Horse, Dog, Tiger Rabbit, Dragon, Rooster, Rat, Goat, Ox, Pig Monkey Snake

Rabbit Pig, Goat, Rabbit Tiger, Monkey, Dog, Ox, Horse, Rat, Snake Rooster Dragon

Dragon Rat, Monkey, Dragon Tiger, Snake, Horse, Goat, Pig, Ox, Rooster Dog Rabbit

Snake Ox, Rooster, Snake Horse, Dragon, Goat, Dog, Rabbit, Rat, Monkey Pig Tiger

Horse Dog, Tiger, Horse Snake, Rabbit, Dragon, Rooster, Pig, Monkey, Goat Rat Ox

Goat Rabbit, Pig, Goat Snake, Rabbit, Dragon, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Tiger Ox Rat

Monkey Dragon, Rat, Monkey Dragon, Dog, Ox, Goat, Rabbit, Rooster, Horse Tiger Pig

Rooster Ox, Snake, Rooster Horse, Snake, Goat, Pig, Tiger, Monkey, Rat Rabbit Dog

Dog Tiger, Horse, Dog Monkey, Pig, Rat, Ox, Snake, Goat, Rabbit Dragon Rooster

Pig Rabbit, Goat, Pig Rat, Rooster, Dog, Dragon, Horse, Ox, Tiger Snake Monkey

Four Pillars of Destiny

The Four Pillars of Destiny method can be traced back to the Han dynasty (201 BCE – 220 CE), and
is still much used in feng shui astrology and general analysis today. The Four Pillars or columns
chart is called such as the Chinese writing causes it to fall into columns. Each pillar or column
contains a stem and a branch—and each column relates to the year, month, day and hour of birth.
The first column refers to the year animal and element, the second to the month animal and element,
the third to the day animal and element, and the last to the hour animal and element.
Within the Four Pillars of Destiny, the year column purports to provide information about one's
ancestor or early age, and the month column about one's parents or growing age. The day column
purports to offer information about oneself (upper character) and one's spouse (lower character) or
adult age, and the hour column about children or late age.[14]

Animal trines
First[edit]
The first trine consists of the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey. These three signs are said to be intense
and powerful individuals capable of great good, who make great leaders but are rather
unpredictable. The three are said to be intelligent, magnanimous, charismatic, charming,
authoritative, confident, eloquent, and artistic, but can be manipulative, jealous, selfish, aggressive,
vindictive, and deceitful.

Second[edit]
The second trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster. These three signs are said to possess
endurance and application, with slow accumulation of energy, meticulous at planning but tending to
hold fixed opinions. The three are said to be intelligent, hard-working, modest, industrious, loyal,
philosophical, patient, goodhearted, and morally upright, but can also be self-righteous, egotistical,
vain, judgmental, narrow-minded, and petty.

Third[edit]
The third trine consists of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog. These three signs are said to seek true love,
to pursue humanitarian causes, to be idealistic and independent but tending to be impulsive. The
three are said to be productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic, honorable, loyal, and
protective, but can also be rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, anxious, disagreeable, and stubborn.

Fourth[edit]
The fourth trine consists of the Rabbit, Goat, and Pig. These three signs are said to have a calm
nature and somewhat reasonable approach; they seek aesthetic beauty and are artistic, well-
mannered and compassionate, yet detached and resigned to their condition. The three are said to
be caring, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent, but can also
be naïve, pedantic, insecure, selfish, indecisive, and pessimistic.

Origin stories
There are many stories and fables to explain the beginning of the zodiac. Since the Han Dynasty,
the twelve Earthly Branches have been used to record the time of day. However, for the sake of
entertainment and convenience[citation needed], they have been replaced by the twelve animals, and
a mnemonic refers to the behavior of the animals:
Earthly Branches may refer to a double-hour period. In the latter case it is the center of the period;
for instance, 马 (Horse) means noon as well as a period from 11:00 to 13:00

Anima
Pronunciation Period This is the time when...
l

Rats are most active in seeking food. Rats also have a

23:00 to
Rat Zishi different number of digits on front and hind legs, thus
00:59
earning Rat the symbol of "turn over" or "new start"

01:00 to
Ox Choushi Oxen begin to chew the cud slowly and comfortably
02:59

03:00 to
Tiger Yinshi Tigers hunt their prey more and show their ferocity
04:59
Anima
Pronunciation Period This is the time when...
l

05:00 to The Jade Rabbit is busy pounding herbal medicine on the

Rabbit Maoshi
06:59 Moon according to the tale

07:00 to
Dragon Chenshi Dragons are hovering in the sky to give rain
08:59

09:00 to
Snake Sishi Snakes are leaving their caves
10:59

11:00 to
Horse Wushi The horse is best
12:59

13:00 to
Goat Weishi Goats eat grass and urinate frequently
14:59

15:00 to
Monkey Shenshi Monkeys are lively
16:59

17:00 to
Rooster Youshi Roosters begin to get back to their coops
18:59

19:00 to
Dog Xushi Dogs carry out their duty of guarding the houses
20:59

21:00 to
Pig Haishi Pigs are sleeping sweetly
22:59