Here Are the Chinese Zodiac Basics You Need to Know

Zodiac Origins and Myths

The zodiac myths are woven into the culture. A treasured legend is that Buddha invited the world's animals to visit him when he was nearing his death. Only a dozen creatures showed up, and these faithful were rewarded by being chosen to represent the 12 zodiac phases.

The most famous origin story is the account of the Jade or Yellow Emperor, who held a great celestial race. The first 12 animals to pass the finish line would forever grace calendars. The Rat cheated and won the race with quick-wittedness, and the Pig crossed the threshold in 12th place.

Understanding Your Zodiac Sign

Unlike Western astrology, your Chinese Zodiac does not depend on the month you were born but on the year. Because of the 12-year cycle, people born 12 years apart share the same animal sign. The Chinese Zodiac works according to a lunar calendar, and the Lunar New Year heralds the start of a new zodiac year. Unlike the solar-based calendar, the Lunar New Year usually takes place between the end of January and February and sparks a time of great celebration in China and other Asian nations.

Personality Traits of Each Sign

In Chinese astrology, each animal is associated with certain personality traits. These characteristics are linked to the nature and habits of each animal and have accumulated cultural meaning from over 2,000 years of events. Each animal is connected to a period of two hours within a 24-hour cycle. The Rat who won the celestial race begins the 24-hour cycle with the 23:00 to 1:00 slot because this is when rats are the most active. People born in the Year of the Rat are viewed as charming, resourceful, and ambitious. In contrast, people born in the Year of the Horse are adventurous and energetic.

The Role of the Five Elements

Your sign isn't just determined by the animal you're born under but by the specific year you were born. If the last number in your birth year is 0 or 1, your element is Metal. A 2 or 3 is Water, while a 4 or 5 is Wood. Fire is represented by a 6 or 7, and Earth is an 8 or 9. So, the year 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon.

There are five elements, and the Chinese calendar's 60-year cycle means that the last Year of the Wood Dragon was 1964. According to Chinese astrology, if you can find someone who is 60 years older than you, you are likely to have a lot in common.

Zodiac Compatibility and Relationships

As in Western culture, astrology has long played a significant part in how the Chinese culture sees compatibility in romantic and other personal relationships. For example, the best match for a Rabbit is a Goat or Pig. This conclusion is based on a group of animals called Three Harmonies. A Dog could be a good match, too, according to the pairs outlined in the Six Harmonies.

The Six Damages pairs refer to incompatible signs. For instance, dragons are the worst match for a Rabbit, and Rabbits and Roosters are opposites that attract but come with potential problems. Fixed elements assigned to each year can also interact constructively or destructively. For example, Wood feeds Fire, but Water extinguishes it. For some, their astrology sign helps determine their romantic choices.

The Influence of Ben Ming Nian

Ben Ming Nian is another important aspect of Chinese astrology. It refers to a year that shares the same zodiac animal as your birth year. Conventional wisdom might have you believe this year would be full of good luck. But, alas, this is not the case. People born in the Year of the Dragon do not look forward to the new Year of the Dragon. Legend has it that each year has a ruling God who dislikes the mere humans who share its zodiac sign. In Asia, it's not unusual for 12-year-olds, 24-year-olds, 36-year-olds, and so on to wear gifted red underwear daily to keep bad luck at bay. Wearing jade accessories is also seen as a protective measure.

Zodiac in Modern Life

Because Chinese astrology has been around for ages, it still influences modern times that are dominated by science. Millions of people who've grown up with the Chinese Zodiac give it a degree of credence. Some consult BaZi charts that outline lucky days and identify individual strengths and weaknesses according to the Four Pillars of Destiny. These pillars are based on birth year, month, day, and hour. Some years are seen as auspicious for conception and so have a positive aura. Sadly, zodiac discrimination can play a role in companies rejecting job applicants. If you are born under a troublesome sign, you may battle some negative perceptions.

Zodiac Beyond China

Chinese astrology doesn't just influence China, with its almost 1.4 billion inhabitants, but has woven its way into the culture of other Asian countries like Cambodia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Mongolia, and beyond. Some of these nations swap traditional zodiac animals for animals that are more common locally—for example, the Vietnamese swap the Rabbit for a Cat. In any event, the Chinese Zodiac has a long and powerful reach.

Celebrating the Zodiac Year

Chinese New Year is a major celebration in East Asia and countries with a large East Asian population. Red, the color of the Han people, appears throughout the streets and inside homes. The dominant theme is the animal of the year, but lion dance troupes are always popular. It wouldn't be properly festive without gift-giving and the company of loved ones, so the day features money-filled red envelopes and visits with family.

Looking Ahead: The Year of the Dragon

The Year of the Wood Dragon begins on February 10th, 2024. Babies born this year should prove to be creative and curious. The year should also be a stellar one for Monkeys, career-wise, while Rats should avoid dangerous sports. Rabbits should be as wary as Dragons while meeting their unlucky zodiac year. If you believe in the Chinese Zodiac, your sign will influence how you live your life.