Curious About The Chinese
Astrology Calendar Animal Signs?

Curious about Chinese astrology calendar animal signs?

Chinese Astrology may well be (according to the scholars who know this stuff like the back of their hands), the oldest horoscope system in the world.

However some knowledgeable folks will tell you:

That if you trace Western Astrology right back to its Middle East roots, both fields of astrology are likely to have come in to their current recognizable form around 3000 years BC.

Both however originate from entirely different beginnings as well as differing traditions and parts of the world.

The Chinese Astrology Calendar Animal Signs

So what are the Chinese animal signs and how did they evolve to what they are now?

The 12 Chinese animal signs and their animal personality traits are:

• zi (rat): quick-witted, smart, charming, persuasive
• chou (ox): patient, kind, stubborn, conservative
• yin (tiger): authoritative, emotional, courageous, intense
• mao (hare, rabbit): popular, compassionate, sincere
• chen (dragon): energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, charismatic
• si (snake): charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, smart
• wu (horse): energetic, independent, impatient, enjoys traveling
• wei (sheep): mild-mannered, shy, kind, peace-loving
• shen (monkey): fun, energetic, active
• you (rooster): independent, practical, hard-working, observant
• xu (dog): patient, diligent, generous, faithful, kind
• hai (pig): loving, tolerant, honest, appreciative of luxury

Are you a Rabbit, a Tiger or strong as an Ox? Find out which Chinese sign you are in the calendar table below:

(In no specific or preferential order!)

According to Chinese astrology, the animal ruling the year in which you were born has a profound influence on your life.

Chinese 12 animal zodiac cycle

The 12 animals are further flavored by the pervading element of that particular year.

In other words, there will be other influences acting on you according to the year you were born.

So although you may have been born in the Year of the Rat, you may also have a bit of Goat in you!

But check the finer details of this before you go running around telling everyone!

It is also said that Buddha is responsible for the 12 animals as they were the only ones who came to bid him farewell into the next life.

It's also interesting to note that the Chinese like to say: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."

There are also 5 elements:

• Wood
• Fire
• Earth
• Metal
• Water

Which add a tactile or physical influence to each of the Chinese astrology calendar animal signs.

The difference between Western astrology and Chinese calendar astrology is that the Chinese style is concerned with the 'traits of nature' and the animal signs progress year by year.

The Western approach on the other hand, has monthly cycles. But hey...

You have to consider the Yin and Yang to all this too.

Simply put, the Yin is the passive, female and receptive side while the Yang is the aggressive, male and exploratory side!

Which animal are you?

The various permutations of these 2 essential forces in nature, places, organizations, events and humanity and the quest to achieve balance so that both operate together in harmony rather than opposing or canceling each other out are an essentially Asian/Oriental viewpoint, and form the basis of many Far Eastern traditions and other influences in Chinese society such as Feng Shui.

Confused yet? It's OK - It's just the Yin and the Yang merging together!

So anyway - find out which animal sign you are by using some of the Chinese calendar astrology resources below:

Other Related Chinese Calendar Resources