Chinese Astrology
What is Chinese Astrology?
Chinese astrology, created from traditional astronomy and calendars, really blossomed during the Han Dynasty, which was 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. It was created using the Chinese Lunar Calendar (which dates from 2637BC).
Chinese astrology comprises of a number of aspects, including Chinese philosophy and traditional culture based on harmonic principles, the five elements, the principles of yin and yang, heaven & earth and other concepts and calendar configurations based on the sun and moon cycles.
It has metaphysical components outside of astrology that encapsulate precepts of Chinese medicine, divination and alchemy.
Just like western astrology, Chinese astrology believes that a person's destiny and personality traits are determined from their date of birth and the alignment of planets at that time, as well as the position of other cosmic elements such as the sun, moon etc. So Chinese astrology is both about the individual person as well as earth as a collective, within the cycles of time.
Chinese astrology comprises of a number of aspects, including Chinese philosophy and traditional culture based on harmonic principles, the five elements, the principles of yin and yang, heaven & earth and other concepts and calendar configurations based on the sun and moon cycles.
It has metaphysical components outside of astrology that encapsulate precepts of Chinese medicine, divination and alchemy.
Just like western astrology, Chinese astrology believes that a person's destiny and personality traits are determined from their date of birth and the alignment of planets at that time, as well as the position of other cosmic elements such as the sun, moon etc. So Chinese astrology is both about the individual person as well as earth as a collective, within the cycles of time.
How was the Chinese Astrology System Formed?
The major point of difference about the Chinese astrology system is that it is made up of 12 animal signs, officially in connected to observations circling round the orbit of the planet Jupiter around the sun.
Chinse astronomers basically created a celestial circle out of this orbit and then divided it up into 12 sections which represented 12 years, with 12 sacred animals appointed to each year. 12 is also connected to the 12 cycles of the moon on the lunar calendar in a year and is considered an extremely Divine, sacred number.
This 12 year cycle is then imprinted into a 60 year cycle, as it incorporates the
5 elements (5 x 12 = 60) of earth, fire, water, wood and metal (considered the foundation of everything in the universe and in natural phenomena) as well as the concepts of yin and yang.
Chinse astronomers basically created a celestial circle out of this orbit and then divided it up into 12 sections which represented 12 years, with 12 sacred animals appointed to each year. 12 is also connected to the 12 cycles of the moon on the lunar calendar in a year and is considered an extremely Divine, sacred number.
This 12 year cycle is then imprinted into a 60 year cycle, as it incorporates the
5 elements (5 x 12 = 60) of earth, fire, water, wood and metal (considered the foundation of everything in the universe and in natural phenomena) as well as the concepts of yin and yang.
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How were the 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac Chosen?There are different stories as to why and how the 12 animals were selected. There are two legendary stories:
One is that a 'Great Race' was held by the Jade Emperor (who in Chinese culture and myth was considered the first god) on his birthday with the mission to determine the 12 animals of the zodiac. The first 12 to get to the heavenly gate would be honored as guardians. Another story is that the animals were chosen and honored by Buddha. |
What do the Animal Signs Represent?
Your Chinese Animal Gives Clues About Your Personality
The 12 animals of the zodiac were also said to be selected based on their individual characteristics.
Depending what year you are born, you take on various personality traits, aspects and behavioral patterns of that particular animal.
Chinese tradition says about your Chinese Animal sign that:
"This is the animal that hides in your heart."
Depending what year you are born, you take on various personality traits, aspects and behavioral patterns of that particular animal.
Chinese tradition says about your Chinese Animal sign that:
"This is the animal that hides in your heart."
Each animal contains attributes and personalities that can govern, influence or affect our lives and personality (much like other forms of astrology and even numerology).
So just as you read about your western star sign, so too can you glean some eye-opening information about yourself from your Chinese animal sign.
Knowing your animal sign helps you understand your own unique make-up better, including your strengths, weaknesses and life patterns.
So just as you read about your western star sign, so too can you glean some eye-opening information about yourself from your Chinese animal sign.
Knowing your animal sign helps you understand your own unique make-up better, including your strengths, weaknesses and life patterns.
The Chinese Animal of Each Year Affects us CollectivelyJust as the babies born each year take on the personality traits of that year's Chinese animal, so too does that animal's energy influence all people, events and situations every year as the energy changes. There are therefore collective interpretations that affect people, with each current year drawing from the nature of that year's animal and associated element energetically.
The only difference is that the Chinese New Year does not start on January 1st every year as it does not follow the Gregorian calendar. Rather, the date changes every year and might be some time in January or February, depending on the moon cycle that year within the traditional lunar calendar. |
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Every year has its own particular animal signature that incorporates the animal of the year, as well as the element and whether it is yin or yang.
It helps tell people what to expect universally for the year, what to look forward to (themes, opportunities) or watch our for (challenges).
We have to keep in mind that both positive and negative aspects are at plat, because of the notion of the universal law of polarity, and there needing to be a balance between Yin and Yang.
It helps tell people what to expect universally for the year, what to look forward to (themes, opportunities) or watch our for (challenges).
We have to keep in mind that both positive and negative aspects are at plat, because of the notion of the universal law of polarity, and there needing to be a balance between Yin and Yang.
Which Chinese Animal are You?
To find out which animal you are, click here to look up your birth year in a chart and find out the traits about your animal sign.
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