Zodiac-The Chinese Zodiac and 12 Animals
The Chinese Zodiac And 12 Animals
Chinese Zodiac is An important aspect of Chinese culture, a 12-year astrological cycle in which one of the zodiac animals is assigned to each year in an ever-repeating rotation.
The zodiac is an ancient belief system believed to be a tool for determining a person's destiny. Following the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, the scheme is based on a 12-year cycle in which each new year is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals.
Stories about the origins of the zodiac
One popular theory holds that the Chinese zodiac originated from the Silk Road trade route. Supporters of this theory say that the various animals in the zodiac represent animals introduced to China by Indian Buddhists.
The second, and perhaps more widespread theory centers on the legendary Jade Emperor. It is said that he invited all the animals in the world to a banquet, but only 12 showed up. Therefore, he decided to honor these 12 animals (now commonly known as the 12 zodiac animals) on the Chinese calendar.
Another Chinese zodiac origin story claims that the Buddha himself summoned the 12 mythical beasts to protect his palace. Therefore, he organized a competition involving all the animals on Earth to determine the most worthy animal. Finally, the top 12 players in the competition are chosen to be his guards. Now, they represent the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.
Check out the following video from friends of Ted-Ed for a quick look at one of the myths behind the Chinese zodiac. https://youtu.be/may2s9j4RLk
Emphasis on birth year, not month
Western astrology emphasizes the day and month of a person's birth. In contrast, the Chinese system considers the year of a person's birth to be the most important factor in determining a person's fate.
In fact, a person's personality, as well as the dramatic events that occur in his or her life, are believed to be influenced by the characteristics of the zodiac animal associated with his or her birth year.
Similarities and differences with the Western zodiac
The most obvious overlap is that both systems use 12 different signs based on the time and date of birth to classify people. The zodiac also uses these signs to predict behavioral patterns and make relationship suggestions.
However, there are also major differences between the two. The Western zodiac assigns signs based on the month of birth, while the Chinese zodiac assigns signs based on the year of birth.
The Western zodiac is derived from sidereal constellations. The Chinese zodiac, on the other hand, has no relationship with the stars.
Finally, the Western zodiac uses a range of different symbols to represent animals, objects, and humans. In contrast, the Chinese zodiac consists only of animals.
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
To identify your own zodiac sign, simply match your birth year with its corresponding zodiac sign. Doing so will also help you determine the element that matches your sign.
Links between the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac
- First, both the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac are based on observations of astronomical phenomena. The Chinese zodiac is a system of astrology in traditional Chinese culture that describes people's personalities and destinies based on the characteristics of animals. The zodiac belongs to the Western astrology system, which is divided by the sun's entry into different areas of the ecliptic and serves as an indicator of people's personalities and destinies.
- Second, both the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac have distinct characteristics. Each animal in the Chinese zodiac represents a different personality and destiny, and each zodiac in the zodiac also has a unique personality and destiny. For example, the rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, representing intelligence, flexibility and wealth, while the Gemini in the zodiac also represents intelligence, wit, rationality and versatility.
- Finally, there are some intersections between the Chinese zodiac and the zodiac. For example, the dragon and the lion are both animals that symbolize power and confidence, corresponding to the dragon in the Chinese zodiac and the Leo in the zodiac, respectively. Tiger and Scorpio are both animals that represent courage and strength, corresponding to the tiger in the Chinese zodiac and the Scorpio in the constellations.
In general, although the Chinese zodiac and the constellations come from different cultures, there are some relationships between them, and understanding this relationship will help us to understand and explore the mysteries of metaphysics more deeply.
For Chinese people, constellations are imported products, and they are familiar to people only after the reform and opening up, but China's zodiac culture has a long history, and the twelve zodiacs are not unfamiliar to Chinese people. Almost everyone likes these cute animal images. There are countless zodiac themes such as stamp printing, calendar publishing, and a large number of lucky items and decorations. Some people will definitely wonder why there are twelve constellations and zodiacs. In fact, this is by no means a coincidence. The two have a very close relationship.
In Western astrology, the twelve constellations often mentioned actually refer to the sun constellations. The earth orbits the sun once a year, and is divided into twelve equal parts within this circle, each of which is about 30 days, which is the so-called constellation (sun constellation). But there are ten stars commonly used in astrology, in addition to the sun, there are the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. These celestial bodies all revolve around the sun (except the moon) and their orbital periods, volumes, densities, weights, distances, etc. are all different. The largest planet is Jupiter, which has an orbital period of about 12 years (11.86 years). In other words, it stays in each constellation for about a year. This is related to the standard of the ancient Chinese zodiac calendar division.
Sagittarius-Tiger Zodiac In Chinese folklore The forest king in the proverb is called "Yin" in Chinese astrology, which is the "tiger" of the zodiac. It is also called "Xi Mu" and "Gong Cao", and also contains Taoist priests, stoves, gods of fortune, and kitchen gods, recording the good and evil of the world, so the Chinese folk also says"Don't worship Yin".
Capricorn-Ox Zodiac In Chinese astrology it is called "Chou", which is the "Ox" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of Saturn's "angelic wisdom, devilish social skills" and Capricorn's "endurance", which is equal to "honesty, responsibility, indifference, and loneliness." Its nature is usually conservative, firm, and inquisitive.
Aquarius-Rat Zodiac In Chinese folklore the rat is called "Zi" and in Chinese astrology, this is the "rat" in the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of Uranus's "open wisdom" and Aquarius's "reasoning ability and loving spirit", which is equal to "keen observation and fluent eloquence". Its nature is rational, warm, not bound by the secular moral values of good and evil, and extraordinary.
Pisces-Pig Zodiac Silly Pig and Pig's with water is called "Hai" in Chinese astrology, which is the "pig" in the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of Neptune's "tolerance" and Pisces's "duality of spirit and flesh", which is equal to "mysterious intuition." Its nature is death and eternity, ambiguity, elusiveness, fantasy, and both good and evil.
Leo-Horse Zodiac Dragon-Horse Spirit and Eight Horses Picture in Chinese astrology is called "Wu", which is the "horse" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of the "light and heat" of the sun and the "creativity and energy" of Leo, which is equal to "kindness, integrity, and clarity." Its nature is enthusiastic and cheerful on the outside, lonely and lonely on the inside, full of the majesty of the king, creative in a practical sense, and upright.
Virgo-Snake Zodiac Cold-blooded Animal Beauty Snake in Chinese astrology is called "Si", which is the "snake" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of Mercury's "careful seeing through the future and careful planning" and Virgo's "young chaos and purity", which is equal to "aestheticism." Its nature attaches importance to order, sharp critical ability, endless dreams, hopes, fantasies, and the interweaving of the past and the future.
Libra-Dragon Zodiac Soaring in the Clouds and Driving the Mist Rich Dragon in Chinese astrology is called "Chen", which is the "dragon" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of "love and beauty" and "understanding and fairness", which is equal to "balanced ideals and noble qualities." Its nature is calm, harmonious, positive, and not impulsive, fair, and able to summarize.
Scorpio-Rabbit Little Rabbit runs all over the mountain in Chinese astrology it’s called "Mao", which is the "free" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of "insightful and sharp perspective" and "secrecy". Its nature is to observe the world calmly, hold a decisive spirit, and have potential endurance. Unknown creativity and achievements.
Aries-Dog Zodiac Cats bring poverty, dogs bring wealth. Chinese astrology calls it "Shu", which is the "dog" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of Mars' "combat power" and Aries' "upward heart", which is equal to "active and decisive, pursuing ideals, suppressing the strong and helping the weak." Its nature is straightforward, struggling, arbitrary, striving for the top, and striving to take positive actions to stand out.
Taurus - Rooster Zodiac The rooster crows, and the day breaks, Chinese astrology calls it "You", which is the "rooster" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of the "love, beauty, and innocence" of Venus (the goddess of Venus) and "the harmonious spirit of beauty and harmony" of Taurus, which is equal to "noble chaos, perfection, and peace." Its nature is stubborn, innocent, soft on the outside, and strong on the inside, with a strong belief in resisting falsehood, and demanding security and possession.
Gemini - Monkey ZodiacThe naughty monkey claims to be the king. Chinese astrology calls it "Shen", which is the "monkey" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of "language ability" of Mercury and "double reasoning and adaptability" of Gemini, which is equal to "multifaceted talent." Its nature is spiritual communication, intellectual development, introspective inference, witty, changeable, lack of perseverance, and learning for practical use.
Cancer - Sheep Zodiac The general meaning of "Sheep" is "Wei" in Chinese astrology, which is the "Sheep" of the zodiac. Its meaning is the combination of the moon's "revenge for defense" and Cancer's "strong maternal defense instinct", which is equal to "maternal love and sensitivity." Its nature is the conservation of life, strong vitality, expectation, imitation and re-creation, nostalgia, and defense instinct.
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The four governing elements of the twelve constellations are: wind, fire, water, and earth, which is what we often say
Air signs: Aquarius, Libra, Gemini
Fire signs: Leo, Aries, Sagittarius
Water signs: Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer
Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
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The five governing elements of Chinese astrology are: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Each of the twelve zodiac signs is controlled by four of these elements:
Gold: positive gold - monkey, dog negative gold - chicken, pig
Wood: positive wood - tiger, dragon negative wood - rabbit
Water: positive water - rat negative water - ox
Fire: positive fire - horse Fire-negative-Snake, Sheep
Aries-Mars-drive, action, bravery
Taurus-Venus-receptivity, vanity, love
Gemini-Mercury-intelligence, change, adaptability
Cancer-Moon-comprehensive, emotional, popular
Leo-Sun-decisiveness, will, dignity
Virgo-Mercury-analysis, absorption, logic
Libra-Venus-sociality, persuasion, luxury
Scorpio-Pluto, Mars-courage, creation, enthusiasm
Sagittarius-Jupiter-expansion, vision, logic
Capricorn-Saturn-loneliness, rigidity, ambition
Aquarius-Saturn, Uranus-originality, cosmic consciousness, power
Pisces-Neptune, Jupiter-enigma, inspiration, sympathy