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Chinese Zodiac Astrology

Chinese Astrology

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is the oldest chronological record in history. Dating as far back as 2600 B.C., twelve animal identities were fixed to each year of the calendar during the Han Dynasty.

As opposed to the lineal Western calendar, the system is a cyclical one that runs in five rotations of twelve years; hence it takes 60 years to complete a full cycle. One lunar year consists of 12 months that is made up of 29.5 days. Every two and a half years, one month is added to adjust the calendar, resulting in the Lunar Leap Year. The 78th cycle began in 1984 and will end in 2044. The start of the lunar year is based on the cycles of the moon. Although irregular when measured with the Gregorian calendar, it never fails to fall anywhere between late-January to mid-February.

Just like Western astrology or the animal totems of the North American Indians, the Chinese believe that the animal sign that one is born under has a weighty influence on the personality. It is said to be "the animal that hides in the heart". In the complete cycle, the twelve animals are also attached to twelve rotations of five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth). Elements exert influence on the animal signs. One can be a Wood Horse, Metal Monkey or a Water Rat. At the end of the entire cycle, every animal would have been paired once with each element, creating 60 unique matches.

The elements are organized into two different chains of relationships that are classified as conducive or controlling. In the conducive succession: Metal(vessels) carries Water; Water grows Wood(trees); Wood makes Fire; Fire turns things to Earth(ashes); and Earth regenerates Metal(minerals). In the controlling: Fire melts Metal; Water puts out Fire; Earth contains Water(rivers, lakes); Wood(roots) holds Earth together and Metal cuts Wood.

Traditionally, the Chinese zodiac was used to determine one's age, or to help remember through pictorial symbols during ancient times when literacy was not common amongst the working class. It was more polite to ask of one's animal zodiac than it was one's age. In Chinese tradition, great emphasis is placed on these zodiacs to help ascertain if it is good year to be wed, to start a business, or to have a child. For instance, 1999 was a highly favourable year to be wed for it was the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit symbolizes love and fertility. Many Rabbit Year newlyweds were hoping to become parents of "Dragon Babies" the following year. The Dragon is generally favoured in the Chinese culture because it is legendarily considered an auspicious animal.

The Elements And Planets in Chinese Astrology

Chinese astrology works with five major planets, and corresponds five elements to these planets. These may vary with different interpretations of the art, but these are the generally accepted correspondences:

Saturn - Earth
Mars - Fire
Mercury - Water
Jupiter - Wood
Venus - Metal

For purposes of the Chinese Astrology calendar, each element has a Yin and Yang form.

Lunisolar Calendar

The lunisolar calendar operates on a 60 year cycle, which consists of two cycles that interact with one another. Cycle one is the cycle of the ten heavenly stems, which is the five elements in their yin and yang forms. Cycle two is the twelve zodiac signs, or the "earthly branches".

While Chinese Astrology seems complex on the surface, it should be remembered that Western astrology is more than the Zodiac as well - we also use planets and houses. Chinese Astrology and variants of it are often used for love matches in Asian countries before marriages and relationships start.

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