Posts Tagged ‘chinese zodiac’

Chinese Zodiac Legends

The Chinese zodiac consist of twelve animals that have a year assigned to them and their characteristics. This is a twelve month cycle. The twelve animals include a rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, etc. The English translation differs a bit due to confusion with the two languages, some of the English animals were non-existent in China. Many different aspects are used to calculate your animal sign such as year, month, day, and hour of your birth. It is actually possible for one person to have several different signs.

The start of the zodiac is a a well discussed topic. There are three very well known fables. The most historically persistent time record is the Chinese calendar. It is baffling to ponder on why the specific mammals were delegated.It is possible to look into many legends involving the zodiac. Following are a few just to help you out.

The most popular must be the story of the rat race. The Jade Emperor called together the animals to swim across a body of water. The first twelve to get to the other side would have a year named for them. A rat was the first to reach the other side because he rode on the back of the ox who came second. It goes in the order listed in the zodiac.

Similar variations name Buddha as the one who put together the race. It is frequently told that a cat and the rat were buddies. Although when the cat insisted they attend the race together the rat left the cat in a napping state. The thirteenth mammal to arrive was the cat. Of course this also explains the hatred cats have for rats.

Buddha’s departure will have to be the second of them but there are a few different views of this one. The first of which is that on the day Buddha was to leave earth he requested various animals to be at his departure. Only twelve came to say goodbye. Out of appreciation of their allegiance, Buddha named a year after each one of them. Another version of it it that Buddha was having a feast. Some say that the Jade Emperor invited the animals to the feast.

Another assortment includes the conflict of the cat and rat. Buddha wanted the mammals to come together for a meeting. The foolish cat told the rat as before. The sneaky rat leaves without the cat. When the cat finally shows up the meeting was over and the animals had been selected to receive a year in their name.

The Chinese people still depend very much on the influence of the Chinese zodiac. The culture somewhat revolves around this determining factor of personality. It can be involved in finding mates and partners, as some will only seek out those of a congruent sign. Friendships and work relations can also be effected by the zodiac method. It is still accused of being a source of direction for them.

 

The Chinese Twelve Animals Zodiac

There are twelve signs in the Chinese zodiac, each based on a different animal, and thought to possess traits characteristic of those animals.

Rat: Rats can be very sentimental and find it difficult to pass up a bargain. A Rat’s feelings are always visible on the surface, and when upset, Rats can feel nervous and act aggressive. Highly social, Rats are talkative and very charming, and are always surrounded by friends.

Ox: Oxes are dependable, determined, and strong. They are likely to keep to themselves, and they tend to stay close to home. Great lovers of the outdoors, they can often be found puttering in their gardens. Oxes are both highly principled and very tolerant of others.

Tiger: Tigers can sometimes be selfish, but they are also very giving toward others. They are excited to keep company with those who will bring them excitement and challenges. Tigers are natural leaders with their intelligence, bravery, spontaneity, and competitive spirits.

Rabbit: Rabbits are sensitive, refined individuals who enjoy the finer things in life. Rabbits are compassionate and helpful toward others, but tend to repress their own negative feelings. They prefer calm atmospheres and will project an image of inner peace at nearly all times.

Dragon: Dragons are not natural leaders, but their charisma often draws others to them. Bold and powerful, Dragons are independent and individualistic. They will always step to the occasion to defend those they love or themselves, and their tempers can be quite spectacular.

Snake: Snakes are the schemers, their instinctive cunning and cleverness always showing them a means to get what they want. Snakes are graceful, analytical, detail-oriented, and materialistic. They are gifted at making sense of confusion.

Horse: Honest and friendly, horses have open minds and open hearts. Their humor and wit make them popular wherever they go, and horses are never happier than when they are surrounded by others. Horses are adventurous and energetic, and become quickly bored with routine.

Goat: Goats are very loving and nurturing people once you get beneath their quiet, reflective exteriors. While they are frugal, they are by no means cheap, and will happily sacrifice in order to have some of the finest, most expensive things they desire.

Monkey: The Monkey loves nothing more than a good practical joke. Clever, mischievous, and curious, they love to be challenged. Once a Monkey settles down, he is eternally loyal, but Monkeys tend to be rather promiscuous before they do so.

Rooster: Roosters are prideful and honest. At times, they appear to be boastful, but that is not their intention; it is merely Rooster’s inherent trademark honest bluntness that causes him to speak so highly of his achievements. Roosters are diligent workers and enjoy being around others.

Dog: Dogs are very honest and loyal, but very slow to trust, and they can sometimes be cold and critical to those they haven’t yet warmed to. At heart, dogs are kind and good listeners. Their empathy is so strong that their investment in their loved ones’ lives is often seen as nosiness.

Pig: The Pig is quick to indulge his vices, be they drink or food or even drugs, and would be wise to guard his health carefully. Pigs are responsible and fun-loving, and they tend to be big spenders. They are very peaceful and quite the social butterflies.

 

Predicting With The Chinese Astrology Calendar

There are several different forms of astrology used throughout the world. The earliest recordings of these systems began during the early Bronze age, and have undergone various changes since then. Most people are familiar with western astrology, which is based on the twelve signs in the zodiac and the planets that belong to each sign. This method is often used to predict possible future events, as well as give people a bit of insight to who they are according to the stars and planets. The Chinese astrology calendar is also used in much the same way, but there are many differences. They are like two separate roads made from the same dirt, different roads that lead to the same thing.

As in western astrology, the ancient Chinese assigned elements to each known planet, but the system of elements used differs somewhat from the one used here in the west. Though there are parallels, they differ in both name and number. Whereas the western system uses the four elements derived from classical Greece, the Chinese use a system of five elements that seems to be the system common most Asian cultures.

They both also have twelve houses that govern the chart wheels, but in the Chinese system these houses are ruled over by animals. Every year is associated with one of these animals. Every twelve years, the same animal that ruled twelve years before, appears again. In western astrology the ruler changes every month, according to the twelve month cycle of the Gregorian Calendar.

The creative Chinese have developed various tales to explain how the order of the signs of the Chinese Zodiac was determined. One, most often repeated, tale is a fun story of a race held by the Jade Emperor. The character of each sign is expressed through the method each animal used in their attempt to win the race and procure there place on the calendar.

By following Chinese astrology one’s destiny is said to be determined by the setting of the planets during one’s birth. The moon, sun and comets that may be present at that time are also used in determining one’s fate. There are many myths and legends surrounding the stars, that belong to this system of astrology.

Knowing the future, or at least being given an idea of what the future holds, is a soothing thought for a lot of people. Chinese astrology appears, in ways, to be much more complicated than the western version, but but ways serve the same purpose. Both ways are also enjoyed by a variety of believers in astrology.

Western astrology seems to deal more with the psychology of things. The Chinese astrology calendar deals more with chances and the possibilities derived from the balance of all things. Predictions in the west tend to be unclear on the outcomes of certain things, while the, more complex, Chinese way is more thorough and complete.

 

What is Chinese Animal Zodiac Astrology

With an intricate mix of calendar cycles and associations to animals, Chinese astrology is as mystifying as it is effective. This ancient doctrine is widely acknowledged in the culture and its practices are a part of everyday life. In this article, we will analyze the roots and how other cultures have come to regard it.

Chinese zodiac sign astrology is the divination of the future from the Chinese calendar. There are two cycles from which one basic cycle is constructed.

The first is the twelve-year cycle of animals depicted in the Chinese zodiac and known as the twelve earthly branches while the other is ten heavenly stems consisting of the five elements in their yin and yang forms.

The Chinese animal zodiac also operates on a cycle of months or moons together with hours of the day. The animal signs are assigned by year and represent how others will perceive you as being or how you present yourself.

It is common in western countries to mistakenly describe the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac as the only signs. However, this is incorrect because there are also animal signs, called inner animals, assigned by the month and secret animals, which symbolize the hours of the day.

Although an individual may look to be a dragon, because they were born in the year of the dragon, they may also be a snake internally and an ox secretively. It is therefore feasible for an individual to be any one of 8,640 potential combinations.

A persons inner animal, designated by their monthly animal sign, dictates what actually motivates that individual. This sign is a very important aspect in the understanding of the persons compatibility with other signs since it dictates their inner persona and love life. These are all vital for the proper use of this Asian astrology.

In Chinese zodiac sign astrology, each sign is associated with a month in the solar year, as well as to a season. It is thought that the element transfers a portion 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. It is essential to be aware that the fixed element is distinct from the cycle of elements.

Additionally, times of the day are also labeled within the Chinese zodiac. Every sign corresponds to a two-hour period known as a large hour. There are 24 hours in the day but only twelve zodiac animals, hence the reason for the large hour. It is therefore essential to know the exact time of birth to determine it. Since the small animal is the smallest denominator and the persons birth hour, it is this that is said to determine the truest representation of an individual. It is an individuals own true sign, upon which their persona is based.

Chinese New Year festivities are renowned for the outstanding displays of Asian tradition and symbols from Chinese astrology. Most societies do not practice astrology as openly as the Chinese do. Businessmen will not make deals on certain days, couples try to have children in certain years and certain addresses are believed to be good luck. This is an example of how profoundly people can believe in the affect of stars and planets.