Chinese zodiac
The Shēngxiào (生肖), better known in English as the Chinese Zodiac, is a scheme that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year mathematical cycle. It has wide currency in several East Asian countries such as China and Korea and Japan.
Identifying this scheme using the term "zodiac" reflects several similarities to the Western zodiac: both have time cycles divided into 12 parts, each labels at least the majority of those parts with names of animals, and each is widely associated with a culture of attributing influence of a person's relationship to the cycle upon their personality and/or events in their life. Nevertheless, there are major differences: the "Chinese" 12-part cycle corresponds to years rather than months. The Chinese Zodiac is represented by 12 animals, whereas some of the signs in the Western zodiac are not animals, despite the implication of the Greek etymology of "zodiac". The animals of the Chinese Zodiac are not associated with constellations, let alone those spanned by the ecliptic plane.
Contents
Personalities
The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat, and there are many stories about the origins of the Chinese Zodiac which explain why this is so (see below). The following are the twelve zodiac signs (each with its associated Earthly branch) in order and their characteristics.Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, pp. 2–8, 30–5, 60–4, 88–94, 118–24, 148–53, 178–84, 208–13, 238–44, 270–78, 306–12, 338–44, Souvenir Press, New York, 2005
- Rat – 鼠 (子) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water ,Earth): Forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, artistic, and shrewd. Can be manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, envious, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, and scheming.
- Ox – 牛 (丑) (Water buffalo in Vietnam) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Water): Dependable, ambitious, calm, methodical, born leader, patient, hardworking, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, and tenacious. Can be stubborn, dogmatic, hot-tempered, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, and demanding.
- Tiger – 虎 (寅) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, and generous. Can be restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, and moody.
- Rabbit – 兔 or 兎 (卯) (Cat in Vietnam) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Gracious, good friend, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amicable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, astute, compassionate, lucky, and flexible. Can be moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, and stubborn.
- Dragon – 龍 / 龙 (辰) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, and loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, and brash.
- Snake – 蛇 (巳) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, and purposeful. Can be a loner, bad communicator, possessive, hedonistic, self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, suffocating, and cold.
- Horse – 馬 / 马 (午) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, and open-minded. Can be fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, and stubborn.
- Goat (aka Ram or Sheep) – 羊 (未) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, observant, artistic, intellectual, ingenious, innovative, creative, mothering, peaceful, and generous. Can be indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, sensitive, shy, and weak-willed.
- Monkey – 猴 (申) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, artistic, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, and factual. Can be egotistical, vain, arrogant, selfish, reckless, snobbish, deceptive, manipulative, cunning, jealous, suspicious, and stubborn.
- Rooster – 雞 / 鸡 (酉) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, and responsible. Can be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, proud, opinionated, and gives into empty bravado.
- Dog – 狗 / 犬 (戌) (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, sensitive, and easy going. Can be cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, and quarrelsome.
- Pig – 豬 / 猪 (亥) (Boar in Japan and Elephant in Northern Thailand) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water): Honest, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, trusting, sincere, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, and intelligent. Can be naïve, over-reliant, self-indulgent, gullible, fatalistic, and materialistic.
In Chinese astrology the animal signs assigned by year represent what others perceive you as being or how you present yourself. It is a common misconception that the animals assigned by year are the only signs and many western descriptions of Chinese astrology draw solely on this system. In fact, there are also animal signs assigned by month (called inner animals), by day (called true animals) and hours (called secret animals).
While a person might appear to be a Dragon because they were born in the year of the Dragon, they might also be a Snake internally, an Ox truly and Goat secretively. In total, this makes for 103,680 possible combinations (60 year cycle (5 elements × 12 animals) × 12 months × 12 days × 12 periods of the day) that a person might be. These are all considered critical for the proper use of Chinese astrology .
Chinese calendar
Years
Sexagenary cycle
Within the Four Pillars, the year is the pillar representing information about the person's family background and society or relationship with their grandparents. The person's age can also be easily deduced from the sign of the person, the current sign of the year and the person's perceived age (teens,mid 20's, 40's and so on). For example, a person who is a tiger is either 12, 24, 36 or 48 years old in 2010, the year of the tiger. In 2011, the year of the rabbit, that person is one year older.
The following table shows the 60-year cycle matched up to the Western calendar for the years 1924–2043 (see Sexagenary cycle article for years 1804–2043). The sexagenary cycle begins at lichun 'about February 4' according to some astrological sources.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>,You can also use a Chinese Zodiac Calculator find your own Chinese Zodiac sign<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> .
| Year | Associated Element |
Heavenly Stem |
Earthly Branch |
Associated Animal |
Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924–1983 | 1984–2043 | |||||
| 1 | Feb 5, 1924 – Jan 23, 1925 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 子 | 鼠 Rat | Feb 2, 1984 – Feb 19, 1985 |
| 2 | Jan 24, 1925 – Feb 12, 1926 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 丑 | 牛 Ox | Feb 20, 1985 – Feb 8, 1986 |
| 3 | Feb 13, 1926 – Feb 1, 1927 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 寅 | 虎 Tiger | Feb 9, 1986 – Jan 28, 1987 |
| 4 | Feb 2, 1927 – Jan 22, 1928 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 卯 | 兔 Rabbit | Jan 29, 1987 – Feb 16, 1988 |
| 5 | Jan 23, 1928 – Feb 9, 1929 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 辰 | 龍 Dragon | Feb 17, 1988 – Feb 5, 1989 |
| 6 | Feb 10, 1929 – Jan 29, 1930 | Yin Earth | 己 | 巳 | 蛇 Snake | Feb 6, 1989 – Jan 26, 1990 |
| 7 | Jan 30, 1930 – Feb 16, 1931 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 午 | 馬 Horse | Jan 27, 1990 – Feb 14, 1991 |
| 8 | Feb 17, 1931 – Feb 5, 1932 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 未 | 羊 Goat | Feb 15, 1991 – Feb 3, 1992 |
| 9 | Feb 6, 1932 – Jan 25, 1933 | Yang Water | 壬 | 申 | 猴 Monkey | Feb 4, 1992 – Jan 22, 1993 |
| 10 | Jan 26, 1933 – Feb 13, 1934 | Yin Water | 癸 | 酉 | 鷄 Rooster | Jan 23, 1993 – Feb 9, 1994 |
| 11 | Feb 14, 1934 – Feb 3, 1935 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 戌 | 狗 Dog | Feb 10, 1994 – Jan 30 1995 |
| 12 | Feb 4, 1935 – Jan 23, 1936 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 亥 | 猪 Pig | Jan 31, 1995 – Feb 18, 1996 |
| 13 | Jan 24, 1936 – Feb 10 1937 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 子 | 鼠 Rat | Feb 19, 1996 – Feb 6, 1997 |
| 14 | Feb 11, 1937 – Jan 30 1938 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 丑 | 牛 Ox | Feb 7, 1997 – Jan 27, 1998 |
| 15 | Jan 31, 1938 – Feb 18, 1939 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 寅 | 虎 Tiger | Jan 28, 1998 – Feb 15, 1999 |
| 16 | Feb 19, 1939 – Feb 7, 1940 | Yin Earth | 己 | 卯 | 兔 Rabbit | Feb 16, 1999 – Feb 4, 2000 |
| 17 | Feb 8, 1940 – Jan 26, 1941 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 辰 | 龍 Dragon | Feb 5, 2000 – Jan 23, 2001 |
| 18 | Jan 27, 1941 – Feb 14, 1942 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 巳 | 蛇 Snake | Jan 24, 2001 – Feb 11, 2002 |
| 19 | Feb 15, 1942 – Feb 4, 1943 | Yang Water | 壬 | 午 | 馬 Horse | Feb 12, 2002 – Jan 31, 2003 |
| 20 | Feb 5, 1943 – Jan 24, 1944 | Yin Water | 癸 | 未 | 羊 Goat | Feb 1, 2003 – Jan 21, 2004 |
| 21 | Jan 25, 1944 – Feb 12, 1945 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 申 | 猴 Monkey | Jan 22, 2004 – Feb 8, 2005 |
| 22 | Feb 13, 1945 – Feb 1, 1946 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 酉 | 鷄 Rooster | Feb 9, 2005 – Jan 28, 2006 |
| 23 | Feb 2, 1946 – Jan 21, 1947 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 戌 | 狗 Dog | Jan 29, 2006 – Feb 17, 2007 |
| 24 | Jan 22, 1947 – Feb 9, 1948 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 亥 | 猪 Pig | Feb 18, 2007 – Feb 6, 2008 |
| 25 | Feb 10, 1948 – Jan 28, 1949 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 子 | 鼠 Rat | Feb 7, 2008 – Jan 25, 2009 |
| 26 | Jan 29, 1949 – Feb 16, 1950 | Yin Earth | 己 | 丑 | 牛 Ox | Jan 26, 2009 – Feb 13, 2010 |
| 27 | Feb 17, 1950 – Feb 5, 1951 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 寅 | 虎 Tiger | Feb 14, 2010 – Feb 2, 2011 |
| 28 | Feb 6, 1951 – Jan 26, 1952 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 卯 | 兔 Rabbit | Feb 3, 2011 – Jan 22, 2012 |
| 29 | Jan 27, 1952 – Feb 13, 1953 | Yang Water | 壬 | 辰 | 龍 Dragon | Jan 23, 2012 – Feb 9, 2013 |
| 30 | Feb 14, 1953 – Feb 2, 1954 | Yin Water | 癸 | 巳 | 蛇 Snake | Feb 10, 2013 – Jan 30 2014 |
| 31 | Feb 3, 1954 – Jan 23, 1955 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 午 | 馬 Horse | Jan 31, 2014 – Feb 18, 2015 |
| 32 | Jan 24, 1955 – Feb 11, 1956 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 未 | 羊 Goat | Feb 19, 2015 – Feb 7, 2016 |
| 33 | Feb 12, 1956 – Jan 30 1957 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 申 | 猴 Monkey | Feb 8, 2016 – Jan 27, 2017 |
| 34 | Jan 31, 1957 – Feb 17, 1958 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 酉 | 鷄 Rooster | Jan 28, 2017 – Feb 18, 2018 |
| 35 | Feb 18, 1958 – Feb 7, 1959 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 戌 | 狗 Dog | Feb 19, 2018 – Feb 4, 2019 |
| 36 | Feb 8, 1959 – Jan 27, 1960 | Yin Earth | 己 | 亥 | 猪 Pig | Feb 5, 2019 – Jan 24, 2020 |
| 37 | Jan 28, 1960 – Feb 14, 1961 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 子 | 鼠 Rat | Jan 25, 2020 – Feb. 11, 2021 |
| 38 | Feb 15, 1961 – Feb 4, 1962 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 丑 | 牛 Ox | Feb 12, 2021 – Jan 31, 2022 |
| 39 | Feb 5, 1962 – Jan 24, 1963 | Yang Water | 壬 | 寅 | 虎 Tiger | Feb 1, 2022 – Jan 21, 2023 |
| 40 | Jan 25, 1963 – Feb 12, 1964 | Yin Water | 癸 | 卯 | 兔 Rabbit | Jan 22, 2023 – Feb 9, 2024 |
| 41 | Feb 13, 1964 – Feb 1, 1965 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 辰 | 龍 Dragon | Feb 10, 2024 – Jan 28, 2025 |
| 42 | Feb 2, 1965 – Jan 20 1966 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 巳 | 蛇 Snake | Jan 29, 2025 – Feb 16, 2026 |
| 43 | Jan 21, 1966 – Feb 8, 1967 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 午 | 馬 Horse | Feb 17, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027 |
| 44 | Feb 9, 1967 – Jan 29, 1968 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 未 | 羊 Goat | Feb 6, 2027 – Jan 25, 2028 |
| 45 | Jan 30, 1968 – Feb 16, 1969 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 申 | 猴 Monkey | Jan 26, 2028 – Feb 12, 2029 |
| 46 | Feb 17, 1969 – Feb 5, 1970 | Yin Earth | 己 | 酉 | 鷄 Rooster | Feb 13, 2029 – Feb 2, 2030 |
| 47 | Feb 6, 1970 – Jan 26, 1971 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 戌 | 狗 Dog | Feb 3, 2030 – Jan 22, 2031 |
| 48 | Jan 27, 1971 – Feb 14, 1972 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 亥 | 猪 Pig | Jan 23, 2031 – Feb 10 2032 |
| 49 | Feb 15, 1972 – Feb 2, 1973 | Yang Water | 壬 | 子 | 鼠 Rat | Feb 11, 2032 – Jan 30 2033 |
| 50 | Feb 3, 1973 – Jan 22, 1974 | Yin Water | 癸 | 丑 | 牛 Ox | Jan 31, 2033 – Feb 18, 2034 |
| 51 | Jan 23, 1974 – Feb 10 1975 | Yang Wood | 甲 | 寅 | 虎 Tiger | Feb 19, 2034 – Feb 7, 2035 |
| 52 | Feb 11, 1975 – Jan 30 1976 | Yin Wood | 乙 | 卯 | 兔 Rabbit | Feb 8, 2035 – Jan 27, 2036 |
| 53 | Jan 31, 1976 – Feb 17, 1977 | Yang Fire | 丙 | 辰 | 龍 Dragon | Jan 28, 2036 – Feb 14, 2037 |
| 54 | Feb 18, 1977 – Feb 6, 1978 | Yin Fire | 丁 | 巳 | 蛇 Snake | Feb 15, 2037 – Feb 3, 2038 |
| 55 | Feb 7, 1978 – Jan 27, 1979 | Yang Earth | 戊 | 午 | 馬 Horse | Feb 4, 2038 – Jan 23, 2039 |
| 56 | Jan 28, 1979 – Feb 15, 1980 | Yin Earth | 己 | 未 | 羊 Goat | Jan 24, 2039 – Feb 11, 2040 |
| 57 | Feb 16, 1980 – Feb 4, 1981 | Yang Metal | 庚 | 申 | 猴 Monkey | Feb 12, 2040 – Jan 31, 2041 |
| 58 | Feb 5, 1981 – Jan 24, 1982 | Yin Metal | 辛 | 酉 | 鷄 Rooster | Feb 1, 2041 – Jan 21, 2042 |
| 59 | Jan 25, 1982 – Feb 12, 1983 | Yang Water | 壬 | 戌 | 狗 Dog | Jan 22, 2042 – Feb 9, 2043 |
| 60 | Feb 13, 1983 – Feb 1, 1984 | Yin Water | 癸 | 亥 | 猪 Pig | Feb 10, 2043 – Jan 29, 2044 |
Months and solar terms
Solar term Within the Four Pillars, the month is the pillar representing information about the person's parents or childhood. Many Chinese astrologers consider the month pillar to be the most important one in determining the circumstances of one's adult life.
The 12 animals are also linked to traditional Chinese agricultural calendar, which runs alongside the better known lunar calendar. Instead of months, this calendar is divided into 24 two week segments known as Solar Terms. Each animal is linked to two of these solar terms for a period similar to the Western month. Unlike the 60 year lunar calendar, which can vary by as much as a month in relation to the Western calendar, the agricultural calendar varies by only one day, beginning on the Western February 3 or 4 every year. Again unlike the cycle of the lunar years, which begins with the Rat, the agricultural calendar begins with the Tiger as it is the first animal of spring.
As each sign is linked to a month of the solar year, it is thereby also linked to a season. Each of the elements is also linked to a season (see above), and the element that shares a season with a sign is known as that sign's fixed element. In other words, that element is believed to impart some of its characteristics to the sign concerned. The fixed element of each sign applies also to the year and hour signs, and not just the monthly sign. It is important to note that the fixed element is separate from the cycle of elements which interact with the signs in the 60 year cycle.
| Season | Lunar Month | Fixed Element | Solar Longitude | Solar Term | Western Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1st – 寅(yin) Tiger | Wood | 314° | 立春 lìchūn | Feb 04 – Feb 18 |
| 329° | 雨水 yǔshuǐ | Feb 19 – Mar 05 | |||
| 2nd – 卯(mao) Rabbit | Wood | 344° | 啓蟄 qǐzhé (驚蟄 jīngzhé) | Mar 06 – Mar 20 | |
| 0° | 春分 chūnfēn | Mar 21 – Apr 04 | |||
| 3rd – 辰(chen) Dragon | Earth | 14° | 清明 qīngmíng | Apr 05 – Apr 19 | |
| 29° | 穀雨 gǔyǔ | Apr 20 – May 4 | |||
| Summer | 4th – 巳(si) Snake | Fire | 44° | 立夏 lìxià | May 5 – May 20 |
| 59° | 小滿 xiǎomǎn | May 21 – June 5 | |||
| 5th – 午(wu) Horse | Fire | 74° | 芒種 mángzhòng | Jun 06 – Jun 20 | |
| 89° | 夏至 xiàzhì | Jun 21 – Jul 06 | |||
| 6th – 未(wei) Goat | Earth | 104° | 小暑 xiǎoshǔ | Jul 07 – Jul 22 | |
| 119° | 大暑 dàshǔ | Jul 23 – Aug 06 | |||
| Autumn | 7th – 申(shen) Monkey | Metal | 134° | 立秋 lìqiū | Aug 07 – Aug 22 |
| 149° | 處暑 chùshǔ | Aug 23 – Sep 07 | |||
| 8th–酉(you) Rooster | Metal | 164° | 白露 báilù | Sep 08 – Sep 22 | |
| 181° | 秋分 qiūfēn | Sep 23 – Oct 07 | |||
| 9th–戌(xu) Dog | Earth | 194° | 寒露 hánlù | Oct 08 – Oct 22 | |
| 211° | 霜降 shuāngjiàng | Oct 23 – Nov 06 | |||
| Winter | 10th – 亥(hai) Pig | Water | 224° | 立冬 lìdōng | Nov 07 – Nov 21 |
| 244° | 小雪 xiǎoxuě | Nov 22 – Dec 06 | |||
| 11th – 子(zi) Rat | Water | 251° | 大雪 dàxuě | Dec 07 – Dec 21 | |
| 271° | 冬至 dōngzhì | Dec 22 – Jan 05 | |||
| 12th – 丑(chou) Ox | Earth | 284° | 小寒 xiǎohán | Jan 06 – Jan 19 | |
| 301° | 大寒 dàhán | Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
Days
A different animal rules each day. Within the Four Pillars, the day is the pillar representing information about the person him/herself—his/her adult and married life.
Hours
The Chinese Zodiac is also used to label times of day, with each sign corresponding to a "large-hour" or shichen (時辰), which is a two-hour period (24 divided by 12 animals). It is therefore important to know the exact time of birth to determine it. The secret animal is thought to be a person's truest representation, since this animal is determined by the smallest denominator: a person's birth hour. As this sign is based on the position of the sun in the sky and not the time of your local clock, it is important to compensate for daylight saving time. However, some online systems already compensate for daylight saving time, and astrologers may compensate your time for you oblivious to the fact that you've compensated it yourself, leading to an inaccurate reading.
Within the Four Pillars, the hour is the pillar representing information about one's kids and contributions to the world or later life.
- 23:00 – 01:00: 子 Rat
- 01:00 – 03:00: 丑 Ox
- 03:00 – 05:00: 寅 Tiger
- 05:00 – 07:00: 卯 Rabbit
- 07:00 – 09:00: 辰 Dragon
- 09:00 – 11:00: 巳 Snake
- 11:00 – 13:00: 午 Horse
- 13:00 – 15:00: 未 Goat
- 15:00 – 17:00: 申 Monkey
- 17:00 – 19:00: 酉 Rooster
- 19:00 – 21:00: 戌 Dog
- 21:00 – 23:00: 亥 Pig
The times above are based on Beijing CST.
Compatibility
Chinese Zodiac is derived according to the ancient Five Elements Theory,Every Chinese Sign is composed by five elements, The relations between five elements are interpolation, interaction , over action and counter-action, which are believed to be the common law of the motions and changes of the creatures in the universe .Different people born under each animal sign have different personalities. It is possible to check details and compatibilities to gain guidance in life, for love or marriage,This Chinese Zodiac compatibility Grid is designed to help people find their Chinese Zodiac compatibilities.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Grid
| Sign | Best Match | Match | No Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Dragon,Monkey,Ox | Rat,Tiger,Snake,Dog,Pig | Goat,Horse,Rabbit,Rooster |
| Ox | Rat,Snake,Rooster | Ox,Tiger,Monkey,Pig | Dragon,Horse,Goat,Dog,Rabbit |
| Tiger | Horse,Dog | Rat,Ox,Tiger,Rabbit,Dragon,Goat,Rooster,Pig | Snake,Monkey |
| Rabbit | Goat,Dog,Pig | Tiger,Rabbit,Snake,Monkey | Rat,Ox,Dragon,Rooster,Horse |
| Dragon | Rat,Monkey,Rooster | Tiger,Snake,Horse,Goat,Pig | Dog,Ox,Dragon,Rabbit |
| Snake | Ox,Rooster | Rat,Rabbit,Dragon,Snake,Horse,Goat,Dog | Tiger,Monkey,Pig |
| Horse | Tiger,Goat,Dog | Dragon,Snake,Monkey,Rooster,Pig | Rat,Ox,Rabbit,Horse |
| Goat | Rabbit,Horse,Pig | Tiger,Dragon,Snake,Goat,Monkey,Rooster | Rat,Ox,Dog |
| Monkey | Rat,Dragon | Ox,Rabbit,Horse,Goat,Monkey,Rooster,Dog, | Tiger,Snake,Pig |
| Rooster | Ox,Dragon,Snake | Rat,Tiger,Horse,Goat,Monkey,Pig | Rabbit,Rooster,Dog |
| Dog | Tiger,Rabbit,Horse | Rat,Snake,Monkey,Dog,Pig | Ox,Dragon,Goat,Rooster |
| Pig | Goat,Rabbit | Rat,Ox,Tiger,Dragon,Horse,Rooster,Dog | Snake,Pig,Monkey |
Four Pillars
Template:Main The Four Pillars method can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (Template:Nobr AD 220), and is still much used in Feng Shui astrology and general analysis today. The Four Pillars or Columns chart is called such as the Chinese writing causes it to fall into columns. Each pillar or column contains a stem and a branch—and each column relates to the year, month, day and hour of birth. The first column refers to the year animal and element, the second to the month animal and element, the third to the day animal and element, and the last to the hour animal and element. Within the 'Four Pillars', the Year column is the information about your ancestor or early age. The Month column is the information about your parents or growing age. The Day column is the information about you (upper character) and your spouse (lower character) or adult age. The Hour column is the information about kids or late age.
Four Animal Trines
First Trine
The first trine consists of the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey. These three signs are intense and powerful individuals, capable of great good or great evil. They make great leaders, but the three may have different approaches. Frustrated when hampered, these signs are ruled by highly potent energy and unpredictability. At their worst, Rats are ruthlessly power-hungry, vindictive, and Machiavellian; Dragons are inflexible megalomaniacs and narcissists; and Monkeys are destructive manipulators and hedonists. They are intelligent, magnanimous, charismatic, charming, authoritative, confident, eloquent, and artistic. They can also be tyrannical, bombastic, prejudiced, deceitful, imperious, and ruthless.
Second Trine
The second trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster. These three souls conquer life through endurance, application, and slow accumulation of energy. Although each sign is fixed and rigid in opinions and views, they are geniuses in the art of meticulous planning. They are hardworking, discreet, modest, industrious, charitable, loyal, punctual, philosophical, patient, and good-hearted individuals with high moral standards. They can also be self-righteous, vain, critical, judgmental, myopic, narrow-minded, and petty. They are also natural leaders, but are better natured than the first trine.
Third Trine
The third trine consists of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog. These three signs seek a true lover, and are like-minded in their pursuit of humanitarian causes. Idealistic and impulsive, the Tiger, Horse and Dog follow the beat of their own drum. Defiant against injustice, these three signs wilt without large amounts of physical affection and loyal support for causes. They are productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic and honorable. They can also be rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, hot-headed, reckless, anxious, moody, disagreeable, and stubborn. Although these three signs are loyal, they can be very protective when lied to. The three signs do not enjoy being told what to do, but will listen when it is a person they love or trust whole-heartedly. These three animals can also be particular and will get aggressive when something true to them is broken.
Sources
- Shelly H. Wu. (2005). Chinese Astrology. Publisher: The Career Press, Inc. ISBN 1-56414-796-7
