Chinese New Year (which this year will be celebrated on February the 14th) is one of the oldest Chinese festivals. Traditionally Chinese people spring clean their houses before the start of the festivities to sweep away any bad luck, and on New Years eve put away all brooms, dustpans, and brushes to ensure good luck isn’t swept away. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, one of twelve animals takes its place for the year, and this year it will be the turn of the Tiger. While many people know their Chinese astrological sign, they may not know what this may mean for them. This article will explore and give a brief introduction to the traditions and beliefs behind Chinese astrology.
People have always had an interest in what the future holds for us, and this may explain our interest in astrology, and why we often flick through the pages of magazines to read our horoscopes. According to Chinese astrology it is not only one’s destiny that can be determined by our Chinese birth signs, but also our character. This may be more useful than attempts to predict the future. It is said that the person who emulates the good qualities of their Chinese sign is likely to have a more successful future.
Most people are familiar with the astrological signs most often used in the western world which are determined by the time of the year that we are born. The Chinese zodiac works a little differently. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac: rat, buffalo (ox), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. They are correlated instead with the year of your birth. The Chinese New Year starts roughly at the beginning of February in one year to February of the next year, so if you were born in January your Chinese zodiac sign will be the determined by the year before. For example, if you were born in January 1966 you would be regarded as being born in 1965, and therefore would be a snake not a horse.
Chinese astrology is much more detailed, than just looking at the attributes of the animal of your birth year. Different animals in this group of 12, will also govern the month, and two hour period in the day of when someone was born. Another very important aspect of Chinese astrology is that each year also determines which of five elements we are: metal water, wood, fire, or earth. Each of these elements is further influenced by the yin/yang (negative or positive) nature of the year. Odd years being yin and even years being yang. The characteristics of the elements impact on the 12 animals, assigning different characteristics to each one. The twelve animals combined with the 5 elements create a cycle of 60 years. For example: 1949 was an earth Ox year and the next earth Ox year is the Chinese Year we are still in (2009) 60 years later.
All of these factors need to be taken into account in determining a person’s personality strengths and weaknesses, as well as what the future may hold for them. The job of the professional Chinese astrologer has been likened to that of a medical diagnostician, as it requires knowledge, as well as probing, searching, and interpreting skills.
The elements
The five elements and how they interact with our relationships and life, have been a part of Chinese culture long before the 12 zodiac animals came into being. These elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are associated with the five major planets: Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Mercury respectively. All the elements have an effect on each other, and these effects are grouped into both conducive and controlling interrelationships:
Conducive relationship (Each element can produce another element):
· wood produces fire (fire cannot exist on its own)
· fire produces earth (fire produces ashes which becomes part of the earth again)
· earth produces metal (metal is extracted from the earth)
· metal produces water (this could either mean a metal container holding water or that metal is the only element that will change into a liquid)
· water produces wood (Without water from rain and dew, plants and trees would die)
Each element can also be controlled by another element, for example:
· fire can be controlled by water (nothing will put a fire out as effectively as water)
· water can be controlled by earth (earth absorbs water. Examples of controlling water with earth can be the digging of irrigation canals)
· earth can be controlled by wood (trees and roots hold soil together)
· wood can be controlled by metal (trees can be felled with a metal axe)
· metal can be controlled by fire (metal can be melted with intense heat)
Using this philosophy, no element can be called stronger or weaker than any other; they are all dependant on each other and linked in the chain of life.
Wood
Wood is constantly growing and expanding, and so are people born under the wood element. Wood characters are grounded with firm roots to their home, providing them with stability and strength. However they are also driven to grow and seek out new challenges and adventures. From a place of stability and strength they have the capacity to succeed against all odds. The negative aspects of the wood personality may be due to their sense of purpose and a determination to be strong, as they can get easily frustrated and may react to stress and injustices with anger. Quite often this anger is directed towards others resulting in conflict. However there is also a danger, as they become more frustrated that anger is directed inwards which can lead to despondency and mental exhaustion. Wood is associated with the colour green.
Fire
Fire has the ability to give off warmth and attract others, and the same can be said about people born under the fire element. They are full of energy, and their sunny and enthusiastic qualities make them very popular in a crowd. Fire characters are idealistic and very romantic; they strive to find relationships that fuse two hearts into one. They can also be very emotional and feel deep pain when separated from loved ones. This tendency to place a lot of emphasis on relationships can cause a few problems as they can easily lose a sense of self, as they become intensely involved in relationships, especially at the beginning. Also due to their energy and enthusiasm they can burn themselves out by becoming over excited and over stimulated. Fire is associated with the colour red.
Earth
The earth is able to absorb all the other elements, and people born under the earth sign are forgiving and compassionate. They are loyal friends and great listeners, always willing to listen to other people’s problems. Naturally non judgemental, earth personalities try to create harmony in their surroundings. People generally feel safe with earth characters, and friendship is important to their sense of happiness. The negative aspect of an earth character may be due to wanting the maintain harmony, as they do not deal well with conflict and strife. There is a danger they can become overly concerned with other people’s problems, and their natural need to nurture others may lead to having little time or energy to nurture and care for themselves. A tendency to want to please people can also result in being overly sensitive to criticism. Earth is associated with the colour yellow.
Metal
Metal is associated with exceptional strength and endurance, and so people born under the metal sign are self disciplined and strong willed. People born under the metal sign have a thirst for knowledge, especially concerning the principles and structure of existence. They also very interested in morality, ethics, religion, and philosophy. They appreciate conciseness, dislike superficiality, enjoy intellectual conversation, and avoid small talk. When no longer fluid, metal can become solid and unyielding. There is a danger that metal characters can become overly concerned with maintaining order and discipline, and may lack flexibility when it comes to rules and routines. They can be overly strict with themselves, and feel they need to keep their emotions under control, which may be detrimental to their emotional health. Metal is associated with the colour white.
Water
Water has the ability to change without losing its essential character. The same is true of people born under the water element; they have a strong sense of self. Water types are said have the ability to flow over problems like a river. They can summon strength when needed to move forward. Water types are resourceful dependable and single minded in the pursuit of their goals. Water personalities can be quite spiritual and recognise the need for quiet introspection. They may spend time mulling over the meaning of life; they can have a very active imagination, and are often considered to be intellectual and visionary. The negative qualities of water types may be due to tendency to refuse to change their course, sometimes resulting in intolerance and being overly opinionated. Water is associated with the colour black.
The animals
The appearance of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac is the subject of many myths and legends. One story is that Buddha summoned all the animals to appear before him just before his departure from the world, and only 12 animals turned up. As a reward he named each year after an animal in order of their arrival. Another story suggests he invited animals to take part in a race to cross a river and the first twelve to complete the race would win a place on the Chinese Zodiac calendar, in the order they finished. The rat was the first to cross the river, and although it seems unlikely that such a small animal could win against all the other animals, the story goes that the rat used his brain, and hitched a ride on the back of the buffalo and just before he reached the shore jumped off and got to the finish line first. The snake finished in sixth place as he hid in the hoof of the horse, and near the end jumped out and scared the horse into seventh place.
Early Chinese astronomers studied the orbit of the planet Jupiter (the year star). They discovered that Jupiter’s orbit occurred ever 12 years, and this may explain why there are 12 animals and why the Chinese Zodiac is based on a system of years as opposed to months.
Rat
(1936 fire, 1948 earth, 1960 metal, 1972 water, 1984 wood, 1996 fire, 2008 earth)
People born under the sign of the rat love a party and are often quick witted and funny. They are clever, naturally curious, and like seeking knowledge. They have good taste and are very charming, and are generous and very loyal to their friends. They are perfectionists and can be quite motivated by money, so may have a tendency to be greedy, and can be very successful in business and politics. Someone born in the year of the rat can be very useful to have around in a crisis as they are level headed and intuitive.
Buffalo or Ox
(1937 fire, 1949 earth, 1961 metal, 1973 water, 1985 wood, 1997 fire)
The Ox is one of the most powerful of the Chinese Zodiac signs. People born under the sign of the Ox are generally steadfast and solid. They are responsible, motivated and hard working and are often good leaders; they have the ability to stay focused on any given goal. Ruled by their heads more than their hearts; they can often be serious and self confident. However a tendency to be introverted can also lead to feelings of insecurity and loneliness. They take comfort in friends, and make reliable and dependable friends.
Tiger
(1938 earth, 1950 metal, 1962 water, 1974 wood, 1986 fire, 1998 earth, 2010 metal)
People born under the sign of the tiger make strong leaders, as they can be authoritative, dynamic, courageous and ambitious. They love to be the centre of attention. They are fighters and can be quite territorial. As a friend they are charming, warm hearted, and generous. As partners they can be very passionate and seductive. They can however sometimes be moody and intense, ready to pounce at any time.
Rabbit
(1939 earth, 1951 metal, 1963 water, 1975 wood, 1987 fire, 1999 earth, 2011 metal)
Being surrounded by friends and family is very important to people born in the year of the rabbit. They enjoy home life and love entertaining. They are sweet natured and very popular; as friends they are very sincere and compassionate, and can give sensible solid advice. They are very faithful and romantic partners. They can also be quite sentimental and emotional. They do like to avoid conflict, and to keep the peace they sometimes can be seen as pushovers.
Dragon
(1940 metal, 1952 water, 1964 wood, 1976 fire, 1988 earth, 2000 metal)
The dragon is a powerful and a magical sign. People born in the year of the dragon like to be the centre of attention, and are bundles of energy. They are natural born leaders, good at giving orders and doing whatever is necessary to stay at the top. They are likely to except the same high standards that they expect of themselves from other people. As friends they are warm hearted and charismatic, and can be lucky in love. They can however sometimes be quite egotistical.
Snake
(1941 metal, 1953 water, 1965 wood, 1977 fire, 1989 earth, 2001 metal)
People born in the year of the snake are hardworking and intelligent. They are quite analytical and good with money. It is said they have innate wisdom and may even have some supernatural abilities, and their tendency to rely on gut feelings can be a little dangerous. They are fond of company and as friends they are very generous and charming; however they are rarely likely to seek advice from friends as communication is not their strong point. As partners they can be romantic and quite seductive. They hate rejection and may have a tendency towards jealousy, and feelings of insecurity.
Horse
(1942, water, 1954 wood, 1966 fire, 1978 earth, 1990 metal, 2002 water)
Those born under the sign of the horse love to roam free, and can be quite rebellious. They enjoy travelling and can be seen as a bit of a drifter. They are energetic characters, cheery and well liked, and love a crowd, although they can sometimes be a little impatient. They can also fall very easily in and out of love. They can sometimes be quite unpredictable, and have a tendency to make rash choices.
Goat
(1943 water, 1955 wood, 1967 fire, 1979 earth, 1991 metal, 2003 water)
The goat is the most feminine of the Chinese animals. People born under the sign of the goat are very creative, and appearance is quite important to them. However they can be quite unorganised at times. They thrive on reassurance, love, and support from friends, and are good natured and genuine. They can be deep thinkers and like being alone in their thoughts. However they can sometimes become overwhelmed by emotions, leading to negativity and anxiety.
Monkey
(1944 wood, 1956 fire, 1968 earth, 1980 metal, 1992 water, 2004 wood)
People born under the sign of the monkey thrive on having fun. They are energetic and upbeat. They like being active and need to feel stimulated. They are always up for a challenge and are good at ‘mastering anything’. They are good listeners, clever and quick witted. However they like to please themselves, before pleasing others. The fun seeking side to their characters can often lead to them lacking self control. In love they can be romantic, but also deceptive, and it is said they can be heart breakers and are not good at long term relationships.
Rooster
(1945 wood, 1957 fire, 1969 earth, 1981 metal, 1993 water, 2005 wood)
People born under the sign of the rooster are practical and resourceful. As a friend they are trusting, straight-forward, open and honest. They can be quite flashy dressers and love finding bargains. They are quite cautious, and may try to hide this caution with displays of confidence, which can sometimes come across as aggression. They are very observant and analytical, and can have the tendency to be perfectionists and be overly concerned with being neat and tidy.
Dog
(1946 fire, 1958 earth, 1970 metal, 1982 water, 1994 wood, 2006 fire)
People born under the sign of the dog are loyal, honest, faithful, and well liked. They have a strong sense of fairness, are always up for doing their share; they will never abandon people in their time of need. They can however be a little distrustful and sensitive at times, and be prone to mood swings. Time for solitude and privacy are important to them. They are intelligent and can be quite high achievers in the world of business.
Pig
(1947 fire, 1959 earth, 1971 metal, 1983 water, 1995 wood, 2007 fire)
People born under the sign of the pig are personable, good mannered and tasteful, and are good company to be around. They are often perfectionists; they have a strong belief in goodness, and enjoy the finer things in life. They are intelligent and are constantly on the hunt for more knowledge, as they are also very patient, they can do well in the world of teaching. They enjoy helping others and due to this can sometimes be taken advantage of. They are loving thoughtful, caring and sincere and as a result make many permanent companions.
This article has very briefly introduced the fascinating subject of Chinese astrology, and if like me it has just whetted your appetite, and you want to learn more I would really recommend some further reading on the subject. There are many books available such as: Chinese Astrology: Forecast your future from your Chinese Horoscope by Man-ho Kwok.
The handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau
Chinese Astrology Bible: The definitive guide to the Chinese Zodiac by Derek Walters
