![]() ![]() Doing so can also help you determine the element that matches your zodiac sign. To identify your own Chinese zodiac sign, simply match your birth year with its corresponding zodiac animal. Image Credit: The Elements of the Chinese Zodiac © Parnassus Find Your Chinese Zodiac Animal Water symbolizes flexibility, diplomacy, kindness, and persuasiveness.Metal symbolizes independence, ambition, and strength.Earth symbolizes honesty, prudence, and hard work.Fire symbolizes decisiveness, innovativeness, dynamism, and joy.Wood symbolizes warmth, elegance, sensitivity, and generosity.For example, 2021 is both the Year of the Ox and Yin Metal, while 2022 will be the Year of the Tiger and Yang Water. In accordance with traditional Chinese philosophy, these five elements are also affected by the delicate balance of Yin and Yang. The Five Elements of the Chinese ZodiacĪn equally significant but less widespread belief is that each lunisolar year is also accompanied by one of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. In fact, an individual’s personality, as well as dramatic events that occur in his or her life, are believed to be influenced by the traits of the zodiac animal associated with the year of his or her birth. The Chinese system, by contrast, regards one’s birth year as the most important factor in determining one's fate. Western astrology emphasizes the day and month that a person was born. The traditional order of the 12 zodiac animals is as follows:Ĭheck out the following video from our friends at Ted-Ed for a quick overview of one of the myths behind the Chinese zodiac. ![]() Now, they represent the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Finally, the top 12 finishers in the race were selected as his guards. He thus organized a race that involved all animals on earth to identify the most worthy. Yet another Chinese zodiac origin story claims that Buddha himself called for 12 sacred animals to protect his palace. The Jade Emperor, pictured here in this Ming Dynasty painting, plays an important role in traditional explanations of the origins of the Chinese Zodiac. As a result, he decided to honor these 12 animals-now popularly known as the 12 Chinese zodiac animals-by dedicating one year on the Chinese calendar to each. It's said that he invited all the world’s animals to a banquet, but only 12 turned up. Supporters of this theory say the various animals of the zodiac represent those that were introduced to China by Indian Buddhists.Ī second, and perhaps more widespread, theory focuses on the legendary Jade Emperor. One popular theory posits that the Chinese zodiac originated along Silk Road trade routes. As a result, understanding the tradition's origins can be a bit confusing. There are several theories and popular stories explaining the origin of China's zodiac animals. ![]() However, it wasn’t until the Han Dynasty (202 BCE to 202 CE) that the popularity of the Chinese astrological calendar began to grow. Scholars believe the Chinese Zodiac originated during China's Warring States Period (475 BCE to 221 BCE), or 战国时代 (Zhànguó Shídài). Chinese Zodiac Origin Story (or rather, stories) As they do so, they'll welcome the second animal in the 12-year rotation, the Ox (牛 niú). This upcoming spring, families across the Middle Kingdom and throughout the Chinese diaspora will gather to celebrate Spring Festival on February 12, 2021. Following the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, this scheme is based on a 12-year cycle in which each new year is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals (called 生肖 (shēngxiào) in Chinese). The Chinese Zodiac is an ancient belief system considered to be a tool for deciding one’s destiny. More importantly, understanding the beliefs and traditions that underpin the Chinese zodiac provides insight into the complex and always-fascinating world of Chinese culture. The Personality Traits of China's 12 Zodiac AnimalsĮxploring the significance of the Chinese zodiac and the personality traits represented by each animal can be a fun and engaging activity for students of the Chinese language.The Chinese Zodiac and Interpersonal Compatibility. ![]()
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