Chinese zodiac

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Chinese zodiac
Chinese Zodiac carvings on ceiling of Kushida Shrine, Fukuoka.jpg

There are theories that suggested the twelve animals were chosen for their symbolic traits, where they were adired in traditional Chinese culture, and the selection process have veried regionally before becoming standarized in the Han Dynasty (Cao, 2008). This standarization connected these animals into a cyclical timekeeping system, where it is seen as a way to reflect personality traits and the entire society (Zhou, 2017).

According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a contest to decide which animals would be lucky enough to be included in the calendar. The winner of the race – the rat – received the first year of the 12-year cycle, and so on. [8]

However, according to historical records and research,[ by whom? ] the Chinese zodiac appeared after the establishment of the "Ganji Chronicle Law",[ when? ] and each of the twelve animals corresponded one of the twelve branches. People born in any given year have animals belonging to that branch of the earth, and accordingly, twelve animals are used for chronology and the genus of each person.

In the Eastern Han dynasty, Xu Shen said that the character si (巳) was the image of a snake, and the same was true for hai (亥) and shi (豕; 'pig'). Since the twelve Earthly Branches of the zodiac were easily confused, folks replaced them with animals and borrowed the ordinal symbols to match them with the Earthly Branches to form a chronological symbol system. [9]

"Totem and celestial combination theory", suggests the zodiac is ancient animal totem worship combined with astronomical images in astronomy. Among them, the explanation of the totem and celestial combinations is more scientific.[ citation needed ]

Signs

A stone carving of the Chinese zodiac. Daoist-symbols Qingyanggong Chengdu.jpg
A stone carving of the Chinese zodiac.
Ceramic figurines of calendar animals, from left to right: Tiger-headed, Dragon-headed, Snake-headed, Monkey-headed and Rooster-headed. Tang dynasty era. Musee Cernuschi Animal horaire a tete de dragon, M.C. 9856(3).jpg
Ceramic figurines of calendar animals, from left to right: Tiger-headed, Dragon-headed, Snake-headed, Monkey-headed and Rooster-headed. Tang dynasty era. Musée Cernuschi

The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat.[ citation needed ] The following are the twelve zodiac signs in order, each with its associated characteristics (Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branch, yin/yang force, Trine, and nature element). [10] The belief that everyone and every animal has a role to play in society conforms to Confucian beliefs in a hierarchical society. Just as Confucian beliefs persist in Asia today alongside more modern social views, so does zodiac use. [11]

NumberEnglishAnimal Earthly branch Yin/yang Trine Fixed element
1 Rat shǔ Yang 1st Water
2 Ox niú chǒu Yin 2nd Earth
3 Tiger yín Yang 3rd Wood
4 Rabbit mǎo Yin 4th Wood
5 Dragon / lóng chén Yang 1st Earth
6 Snake shé Yin 2nd Fire
7 Horse / Yang 3rd Fire
8 Goat yáng wèi Yin 4th Earth
9 Monkey hóu shēn Yang 1st Metal
10 Rooster / yǒu Yin 2nd Metal
11 Dog gǒu Yang 3rd Earth
12 Pig / zhū hài Yin 4th Water

In Chinese astrology the animal signs assigned by year represent self-presentation or perception by others.[ citation needed ] It is a common misconception that the animals assigned by year are the only signs, and many Western descriptions of Chinese astrology only reference this system. There are also animal signs assigned by month (called "inner animals"), by day (called "true animals"), and hours (called "secret animals"). The Earth is all twelve signs, with five seasons.[ citation needed ]

Michel Ferlus (2013) notes that the Old Chinese names of the earthly branches are of Austroasiatic origin. [12] [ unreliable source? ] Some of Ferlus's comparisons are given below, with Old Chinese reconstructions cited from Baxter & Sagart (2014). [13]

There is also a lexical correspondence with Austronesian: [12]

The terms for the earthly branches are attested from Shang dynasty inscriptions and were likely also used before Shang times. Ferlus (2013) suggests that the terms were ancient pre-Shang borrowings from Austroasiatic languages spoken in the Yangtze River region. [12]

Chinese calendar

Years

Within the Four Pillars, the year is the pillar representing information about the person's family background and society or relationship with their grandparents.[ citation needed ] The person's age can also be easily deduced from their sign, the current sign of the year, and the person's generational disposition (teens, mid-20s, and so on). For example, a person born a Tiger is 12, 24, 36, (etc.) years old in the year of the Tiger (2022); in the year of the Rabbit (2023), that person is one year older.

The following table shows the 60-year cycle matched up to the Gregorian calendar for 1924–2043. The sexagenary cycle begins at lichun about February 4 according to some astrological sources. [14] [15]

 YearYearAssociated
animal
Yin/yangAssociated
element
Heavenly
stem
Earthly
branch
1924–19831984–2043
1Feb 05 1924–Jan 23 1925Feb 02 1984–Feb 19 1985 Rat YangWood
2Jan 24 1925–Feb 12 1926Feb 20 1985–Feb 08 1986 Ox YinWood
3Feb 13 1926–Feb 01 1927Feb 09 1986–Jan 28 1987 Tiger YangFire
4Feb 02 1927–Jan 22 1928Jan 29 1987–Feb 16 1988 Rabbit YinFire
5Jan 23 1928–Feb 09 1929Feb 17 1988–Feb 05 1989 Dragon YangEarth
6Feb 10 1929–Jan 29 1930Feb 06 1989–Jan 26 1990 Snake YinEarth
7Jan 30 1930–Feb 16 1931Jan 27 1990–Feb 14 1991 Horse YangMetal
8Feb 17 1931–Feb 05 1932Feb 15 1991–Feb 03 1992 Goat YinMetal
9Feb 06 1932–Jan 25 1933Feb 04 1992–Jan 22 1993 Monkey YangWater
10Jan 26 1933–Feb 13 1934Jan 23 1993–Feb 09 1994 Rooster YinWater
11Feb 14 1934–Feb 03 1935Feb 10 1994–Jan 30 1995 Dog YangWood
12Feb 04 1935–Jan 23 1936Jan 31 1995–Feb 18 1996 Pig YinWood
13Jan 24 1936–Feb 10 1937Feb 19 1996–Feb 06 1997 Rat YangFire
14Feb 11 1937–Jan 30 1938Feb 07 1997–Jan 27 1998 Ox YinFire
15Jan 31 1938–Feb 18 1939Jan 28 1998–Feb 15 1999 Tiger YangEarth
16Feb 19 1939–Feb 07 1940Feb 16 1999–Feb 04 2000 Rabbit YinEarth
17Feb 08 1940–Jan 26 1941Feb 05 2000–Jan 23 2001 Dragon YangMetal
18Jan 27 1941–Feb 14 1942Jan 24 2001–Feb 11 2002 Snake YinMetal
19Feb 15 1942–Feb 04 1943Feb 12 2002–Jan 31 2003 Horse YangWater
20Feb 05 1943–Jan 24 1944Feb 01 2003–Jan 21 2004 Goat YinWater
21Jan 25 1944–Feb 12 1945Jan 22 2004–Feb 08 2005 Monkey YangWood
22Feb 13 1945–Feb 01 1946Feb 09 2005–Jan 28 2006 Rooster YinWood
23Feb 02 1946–Jan 21 1947Jan 29 2006–Feb 17 2007 Dog YangFire
24Jan 22 1947–Feb 09 1948Feb 18 2007–Feb 06 2008 Pig YinFire
25Feb 10 1948–Jan 28 1949Feb 07 2008–Jan 25 2009 Rat YangEarth
26Jan 29 1949–Feb 16 1950Jan 26 2009–Feb 13 2010 Ox YinEarth
27Feb 17 1950–Feb 05 1951Feb 14 2010–Feb 02 2011 Tiger YangMetal
28Feb 06 1951–Jan 26 1952Feb 03 2011–Jan 22 2012 Rabbit YinMetal
29Jan 27 1952–Feb 13 1953Jan 23 2012–Feb 09 2013 Dragon YangWater
30Feb 14 1953–Feb 02 1954Feb 10 2013–Jan 30 2014 Snake YinWater
31Feb 03 1954–Jan 23 1955Jan 31 2014–Feb 18 2015 Horse YangWood
32Jan 24 1955–Feb 11 1956Feb 19 2015–Feb 07 2016 Goat YinWood
33Feb 12 1956–Jan 30 1957Feb 08 2016–Jan 27 2017 Monkey YangFire
34Jan 31 1957–Feb 17 1958Jan 28 2017–Feb 15 2018 Rooster YinFire
35Feb 18 1958–Feb 07 1959Feb 16 2018–Feb 04 2019 Dog YangEarth
36Feb 08 1959–Jan 27 1960Feb 05 2019–Jan 24 2020 Pig YinEarth
37Jan 28 1960–Feb 14 1961Jan 25 2020–Feb 11 2021 Rat YangMetal
38Feb 15 1961–Feb 04 1962Feb 12 2021–Jan 31 2022 Ox YinMetal
39Feb 05 1962–Jan 24 1963Feb 01 2022–Jan 21 2023 Tiger YangWater
40Jan 25 1963–Feb 12 1964Jan 22 2023–Feb 09 2024 Rabbit YinWater
41Feb 13 1964–Feb 01 1965Feb 10 2024–Jan 28 2025 Dragon YangWood
42Feb 02 1965–Jan 20 1966Jan 29 2025–Feb 16 2026 Snake YinWood
43Jan 21 1966–Feb 08 1967Feb 17 2026–Feb 05 2027 Horse YangFire
44Feb 09 1967–Jan 29 1968Feb 06 2027–Jan 25 2028 Goat YinFire
45Jan 30 1968–Feb 16 1969Jan 26 2028–Feb 12 2029 Monkey YangEarth
46Feb 17 1969–Feb 05 1970Feb 13 2029–Feb 02 2030 Rooster YinEarth
47Feb 06 1970–Jan 26 1971Feb 03 2030–Jan 22 2031 Dog YangMetal
48Jan 27 1971–Feb 14 1972Jan 23 2031–Feb 10 2032 Pig YinMetal
49Feb 15 1972–Feb 02 1973Feb 11 2032–Jan 30 2033 Rat YangWater
50Feb 03 1973–Jan 22 1974Jan 31 2033–Feb 18 2034 Ox YinWater
51Jan 23 1974–Feb 10 1975Feb 19 2034–Feb 07 2035 Tiger YangWood
52Feb 11 1975–Jan 30 1976Feb 08 2035–Jan 27 2036 Rabbit YinWood
53Jan 31 1976–Feb 17 1977Jan 28 2036–Feb 14 2037 Dragon YangFire
54Feb 18 1977–Feb 06 1978Feb 15 2037–Feb 03 2038 Snake YinFire
55Feb 07 1978–Jan 27 1979Feb 04 2038–Jan 23 2039 Horse YangEarth
56Jan 28 1979–Feb 15 1980Jan 24 2039–Feb 11 2040 Goat YinEarth
57Feb 16 1980–Feb 04 1981Feb 12 2040–Jan 31 2041 Monkey YangMetal
58Feb 05 1981–Jan 24 1982Feb 01 2041–Jan 21 2042 Rooster YinMetal
59Jan 25 1982–Feb 12 1983Jan 22 2042–Feb 09 2043 Dog YangWater
60Feb 13 1983–Feb 01 1984Feb 10 2043–Jan 29 2044 Pig YinWater

Animal Trines

First

The first Trine consists of the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey . These three signs are considered intense and powerful individuals capable of great good, who make great leaders but are rather unpredictable. The three are intelligent, generous, charismatic, charming, authoritative, confident, eloquent, and artistic, but can also be manipulative, jealous, selfish, aggressive, vindictive, and deceitful.

Second

The second Trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster . These three signs are said to possess endurance and application, with slow accumulation of energy, meticulous at planning but tending to hold fixed opinions. The three are said to be intelligent, hard-working, modest, industrious, loyal, philosophical, patient, goodhearted, and morally upright, but can also be self-righteous, egotistical, vain, judgmental, narrow-minded, and petty.

Third

The third Trine consists of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog . These three signs are said to seek true love, to pursue humanitarian causes, to be idealistic and independent but tending to be impulsive. The three are said to be productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic, honorable, loyal, and protective, but can also be rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, anxious, disagreeable, and stubborn.

Fourth

The fourth Trine consists of the Rabbit, Goat, and Pig . These three signs are said to have a calm nature and somewhat reasonable approach; they seek aesthetic beauty and are artistic, well-mannered and compassionate, yet detached and resigned to their condition. The three are said to be caring, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent, but can also be naive, pedantic, insecure, selfish, indecisive, and pessimistic.

Compatibility

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility-Conflict-Harm Grid in accordance to one's nature, characteristics, and elements COMPATIBILITY CONFLICT HARM.png
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility-Conflict-Harm Grid in accordance to one's nature, characteristics, and elements

As the Chinese zodiac is derived according to the ancient Five Elements Theory, every Chinese sign is associated with five elements with relations, among those elements, of interpolation, interaction, over-action, and counter-action—believed to be the common law of motions and changes of creatures in the universe. Different people born under each animal sign supposedly have different personalities, and practitioners of Chinese astrology consult such traditional details and compatibilities to offer putative guidance in life or for love and marriage. [16] A common way to explore zodiac compatibility is with a chart showing how each zodiac sign interacts other signs. For example, constellations that are considered compatible with each other may have similar values and interests, while incompatible constellations may have conflicting personalities and ways of communicating. [17]

Chinese zodiac compatibility grid [18]
SignBest match (compatible)Average match (friendly)Super bad (conflict)Harmful (best avoid)
Rat Dragon, Monkey, Ox Pig, Tiger, Dog, Snake, Rabbit, Rooster, Rat Horse Goat
Ox Snake, Rooster, Rat Monkey, Dog, Rabbit, Tiger, Dragon, Pig, Ox Goat Horse
Tiger Horse, Dog, Pig Rabbit, Dragon, Rooster, Rat, Goat, Ox, Tiger Monkey Snake
Rabbit Pig, Goat, Dog Tiger, Monkey, Rabbit, Ox, Horse, Rat, Snake Rooster Dragon
Dragon Rat, Monkey, Rooster Tiger, Snake, Horse, Goat, Pig, Ox, Dragon Dog Rabbit
Snake Ox, Rooster, Monkey Horse, Dragon, Goat, Dog, Rabbit, Rat, Snake Pig Tiger
Horse Dog, Tiger, Goat Snake, Rabbit, Dragon, Rooster, Pig, Monkey, Horse Rat Ox
Goat Rabbit, Pig, Horse Snake, Goat, Dragon, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Tiger Ox Rat
Monkey Dragon, Rat, Snake Monkey, Dog, Ox, Goat, Rabbit, Rooster, Horse Tiger Pig
Rooster Ox, Snake, Dragon Horse, Rooster, Goat, Pig, Tiger, Monkey, Rat Rabbit Dog
Dog Tiger, Horse, Rabbit Monkey, Pig, Rat, Ox, Snake, Goat, Dog Dragon Rooster
Pig Rabbit, Goat, Tiger Rat, Rooster, Dog, Dragon, Horse, Ox, Pig Snake Monkey

Origin stories

Many stories and fables explain the beginning of the zodiac. Since the Han dynasty, the twelve Earthly Branches have been used to record the time of day. However, for entertainment and convenience,[ citation needed ] they were replaced by the twelve animals, and a mnemonic refers to the behavior of the animals:

Earthly Branches may refer to a double-hour period. [19] In the latter case it is the center of the period; for instance, 马 (Horse) means noon as well as a period from 11:00 to 13:00.

AnimalPronunciationPeriodThis is the time when...
Rat Zishi23:00 to 00:59Rats are most active in seeking food. Rats also have a different number of digits on front and hind legs, thus earning Rat the symbol of "turn over" or "new start"
Ox Choushi01:00 to 02:59Oxen begin to chew the cud slowly and comfortably
Tiger Yinshi03:00 to 04:59Tigers hunt their prey more and show their ferocity
Rabbit Maoshi05:00 to 06:59The Jade Rabbit is busy pounding herbal medicine on the Moon according to the tale
Dragon Chenshi07:00 to 08:59Dragons are hovering in the sky to give rain
Snake Sishi09:00 to 10:59Snakes are leaving their caves
Horse Wushi11:00 to 12:59The sun is high overhead and while other animals are lying down for a rest, horses are still standing
Goat Weishi13:00 to 14:59Goats eat grass and urinate frequently
Monkey Shenshi15:00 to 16:59Monkeys are lively
Rooster Youshi17:00 to 18:59Roosters begin to get back to their coops
Dog Xushi19:00 to 20:59Dogs carry out their duty of guarding the houses
Pig Haishi21:00 to 22:59Pigs are sleeping sweetly

Great Race

This image depicts a scene from "The Great Race" folk story, in which the Ox carries the Rat across the river. Rat and Ox.jpg
This image depicts a scene from "The Great Race" folk story, in which the Ox carries the Rat across the river.

An ancient folktale [20] called "The Great Race" tells of the Jade Emperor's decree that the years on the calendar would be named for each animal in the order they reached him. To get there, the animals would have to cross a river.

The Cat and the Rat were not good at swimming, but they were both quite intelligent. They decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river was to hop on the back of the Ox. The Ox, being kindhearted and naive, agreed to carry them both across. As the Ox was about to reach the other side of the river, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water, and then jumped off the Ox and rushed to the Jade Emperor. It was named as the first animal of the zodiac calendar. The Ox had to settle for second place.

The third animal to come was the Tiger. Even though it was strong and powerful, it admitted to the Jade Emperor that the currents were pushing it downstream.

Suddenly, a thump sound came from the distance, signaling the arrival of the Rabbit. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it thought it might lose the race, but it was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed it to shore. For that, it became the fourth animal in the zodiac cycle.

In fifth place was the flying Dragon. The Jade Emperor wondered why a swift, airborne creature such as the Dragon did not come in first place. The Dragon explained that it had to stop by a village and bring rain for all the people, and therefore it was held back. Then, on its way to the finish, it saw the helpless Rabbit clinging onto a log, so it did a good deed and gave a puff of breath in the poor creature's direction so that it could land on the shore. The Jade Emperor was astonished by the Dragon's good nature, and it was named as the fifth animal of the zodiac.

As soon as the Dragon arrived, there came a galloping sound, and the Horse appeared. Hidden on the Horse's hoof was the Snake, whose sudden appearance gave the Horse a fright, thus making it fall back and giving the Snake the sixth spot while the Horse placed seventh.

After a while, the Goat, Monkey, and Rooster came to the river blocking the heavenly gate. The Rooster found a raft, and the Monkey and the Goat tugged and pulled, trying to get all the weeds out of the way. With combined efforts, they managed to arrive to the other side. The Jade Emperor was pleased with their teamwork and decided to name the Goat as the eighth animal, followed by the Monkey and then the Rooster.

The eleventh animal placed in the zodiac cycle was the Dog. Although it should have been the best swimmer and runner, it spent its time playing in the river water. Its explanation for being late was that it needed a good bath after a long journey, but it almost did not make it to the finish line.

Right when the Jade Emperor was going to end the race, an oink sound was heard: it was the Pig. The Pig felt hungry in the middle of the race, so it stopped, ate something, and then fell asleep. After it awoke, it finished the race in twelfth place, making it the last animal to arrive.

The Cat eventually drowned and failed to become part of the zodiac. It is said that this is the reason why cats hate water. It is also the reason for the rivalry between the Cat and Rat, as it was the Rat's callous act to push the Cat into the river.

Variations

Another version of the folktale tells that the Rat deceived the Ox into letting it jump on its back by promising the Ox that it could hear the Rat sing, [21] before jumping off at the finish line and finishing first. Another variant says that the Rat cheated the Cat out its place at the finish line, by hiding on the back of the Dog, who was too focused to notice that he had a stow-away. The Cat tried to attack the rat in retaliation, but hurt the Dog by accident. This is said to account for the antagonistic dynamic between cats and rats, beyond normal predator and prey behavior, and also why dogs and cats fight.

In Chinese mythology, a story tells that the cat was tricked by the Rat so it could not go to the banquet. This is why the Cat is ultimately not part of the Chinese zodiac.[ citation needed ]

In Buddhist legend Gautama Buddha summoned all animals of the Earth to come before him before his departure from this Earth, but only twelve animals came to bid him farewell. To reward the these animals, he named a year after each of them in the order they had arrived.

The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac were developed in the early stages of Chinese civilization, so therefore it is difficult to investigate its real origins. Most historians agree that the Cat is not included, as cats had not yet been introduced to China from India with the arrival of Buddhism. However until recently, the Vietnamese moved away from their traditional texts [22] and literature and, unlike all other countries who follow the Sino lunar calendar, include the Cat instead of the Rabbit as a zodiac animal. The most common explanation is that cats are worshipped by farmers in East Asia, believing that cats' luck and prosperity protects their crops. [23] Another popular cultural reason is that the ancient word for rabbit (Mao) sounds like cat (Meo). [24]

Adaptations

The Chinese zodiac signs are also used by cultures other than Chinese. For example, they usually appear on Korean New Year and Japanese New Year's cards and stamps. The United States Postal Service and several other countries' postal services issue a "Year of the ____" postage stamp each year to honor this Chinese heritage.

The zodiac is widely used in commercial culture, for example, in the Chinese New Year market, and popular zodiac-related products, such as crafts, toys, books, accessories, and paintings and Chinese lunar coins. The coins depict zodiac animals, inspired the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins, as well as varieties from Australia, South Korea, and Mongolia.

The Chinese zodiac is also used in some Asian countries that were under the cultural influence of China. However, some of the animals in the zodiac may differ by country.

Asian

The Korean zodiac includes the Sheep (yang) instead of the Goat (which would be yeomso), although the Chinese source of the loanword yang may refer to any goat-antelope.[ citation needed ]

The Japanese zodiac includes the Sheep (hitsuji) instead of the Goat (which would be yagi), and the Wild boar (inoshishi, i) instead of the Pig (buta). [25] Since 1873, the Japanese have celebrated the beginning of the new year on 1 January as per the Gregorian calendar.[ citation needed ]

The Vietnamese zodiac varies from the Chinese zodiac with the second animal being the Water Buffalo instead of the Ox, and the fourth animal being the Cat instead of the Rabbit.[ citation needed ]

The Cambodian zodiac is exactly identical to that of the Chinese although the dragon is interchangeable with the Neak (nāga) Cambodian sea snake. [26] Sheep and Goat are interchangeable as well. The Cambodian New Year is celebrated in April, rather than in January or February as it is in China and most countries. [27] [28]

The Cham zodiac uses the same order as the Chinese zodiac, but replaces the Monkey with the turtle (known locally as kra).

Similarly the Malay zodiac replaces the Rabbit with the mousedeer (pelanduk) and the Pig with the tortoise (kura or kura-kura). [29] The Dragon (Loong) is normally equated with the nāga but it is sometimes called Big Snake (ular besar) while the Snake sign is called Second Snake (ular sani). This is also recorded in a 19th-century manuscript compiled by John Leyden. [30]

The Thai zodiac includes a nāga in place of the Dragon [31] and begins, not at the Chinese New Year, but either on the first day of the fifth month in the Thai lunar calendar, or during the Songkran New Year festival (now celebrated every 13–15 April), depending on the purpose of the use. [32] Historically, Lan Na (Kingdom around Northern Thailand) also replaces pig with elephant. While modern Thai have returned to pig, its name is still กุน (gu̜n), retaining the actual word for elephant in the zodiac. [33]

The Gurung zodiac in Nepal includes a Cow instead of an Ox, a Cat instead of Rabbit, an Eagle instead of a Dragon (Loong), a Bird instead of a Rooster, and a Deer instead of a Pig.[ citation needed ]

The Bulgar calendar used from the 2nd century [34] and that has been only partially reconstructed uses a similar sixty-year cycle of twelve animal-named years groups. [35]

The Old Mongol calendar uses the Mouse, the Ox, the Leopard, the Hare, the Crocodile, the Serpent, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Hen, the Dog and the Hog. [36]

The Tibetan calendar replaces the Rooster with the bird.

The Volga Bulgars , Kazars and other Turkic peoples replaced some animals by local fauna: Leopard (instead of Tiger), Fish or Crocodile (instead of Dragon/Loong), Hedgehog (instead of Monkey), Elephant (instead of Pig), and Camel (instead of Rat/Mouse). [37] [38]

In the Persian version of the Eastern zodiac brought by Mongols during the Middle Ages, the Chinese word lóng and Mongol word (Dragon) was translated as nahang meaning "water beast", and may refer to any dangerous aquatic animal both mythical and real (crocodiles, hippos, sharks, sea serpents, etc.). In the 20th century the term nahang is used almost exclusively as meaning Whale, thus switching the Loong for the Whale in the Persian variant. [39] [40]

In the traditional Kazakh version of the twelve-year animal cycle (Kazakh : мүшел, müşel), the Dragon is replaced by a snail (Kazakh : ұлу, ulw), and the Tiger appears as a leopard (Kazakh : барыс, barıs). [41]

In the Kyrgyz version of the Chinese zodiac (Kyrgyz : мүчөл, müçöl) the words for the Dragon (Kyrgyz : улуу, uluu), Monkey (Kyrgyz : мечин, meçin) and Tiger (Kyrgyz : барс, bars) are only found in Chinese zodiac names, other animal names include Mouse, Cow, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Chicken, Dog and Wild boar. [42]

Chinese Zodiac by Ethnic Group
Ethnic Group123456789101112
ChineseRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
KoreanRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyRoosterDogPig
JapaneseRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyRoosterDogWild Boar
VietnameseRatWater BuffaloTigerCatDragonSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
CambodianRatOxTigerRabbitNāgaSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyRoosterDogPig
ChamRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseGoatTurtleRoosterDogPig
MalayRatOxTigerMousedeerNāgaSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogTortoise
ThaiRatOxTigerRabbitNāgaSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
Lanna (Thai)RatOxTigerRabbitNāgaSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogElephant
GurungRatCowTigerCatEagleSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyBirdDogDeer
BulgarRatOxTiger/WolfRabbitDragonSnakeHorseRamMonkeyRoosterDogBoar
Old MongolianRatOxLeopardHareCrocodileSerpentHorseSheepMonkeyHenDogHog
TibetanRatOxTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyBirdDogPig
KazarsCamelOxLeopardRabbitFish/CrocodileSnakeHorseGoatHedgehogRoosterDogElephant
PersianRatOxTigerRabbitWhaleSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
KazakhsRatOxLeopardRabbitSnailSnakeHorseGoatMonkeyRoosterDogPig
KyrgyzMouseCowTigerRabbitDragonSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyChickenDogWild Boar
TurkmenMouseCowTigerRabbitDragon/FishSnakeHorseSheepMonkeyChickenDogPig
Chinese Zodiac by Ethnic Group (Native Names)
Ethnic Group123456789101112
ChamTikuhKubaoRimaongTapayInagiraiUlanaihAthaihPabaiyKraManukAthauPapwiy
ꨓꨪꨆꨭꩍꨆꨭꨯꨝꨱꨣꨪꨠꨯꨱꨮꨓꨚꩈ꩓ꨘꨈꨪꨣꨰꨂꨤꨘꨰꩍꨀꨔꨰꩍꨚꨝꨰꩈꨆꨴꨠꨘꨭꩀꨀꨔꨭꨮꨚꩇꨥꨪꩈ
MalayTikusKerbauHarimauPelandukNagaUlarKudaKambingMonyetAyam JantanAnjingKura-kura
تيکوسکرباوريماوڤلندوقاولر بسراولر ثانيکوداکمبيڠموڽيتأيمأنجيڠکورا
BulgarSomorShegorVer?Dvan[sh]Ver[eni]?DilomImen[shegor]?Teku[chitem]?TohEthDohs
TurkmenSyçanSygyrBarsTowşanLuw~balykÝylanÝylkyGoýunBijinTowukItDoňuz
سیچانسیغربارسطاوشانلو~بالیقییلانیلقیقویونبیجینطاویقایتدونگغز

English translation

Due to confusion with synonyms during translation, some of the animals depicted by the English words did not exist in ancient China.[ citation needed ] For example:

See also

Notes

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    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake (zodiac)</span> Sign of the Chinese zodiac

    The snake is the sixth of the twelve-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Snake is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol .

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Goat (zodiac)</span> Sign in the Chinese zodiac

    The Goat is the eighth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. This zodiacal sign is often referred to as the "Ram" or "Sheep" sign, since the Chinese word yáng is more accurately translated as Caprinae, a taxonomic subfamily that includes both goats and sheep, but contrasts with other animal subfamily types such as Bovinae, Antilopinae, and other taxonomic considerations which may be encountered in the case of the larger family of Bovidae in Chinese mythology, which also includes the Ox (zodiac). The Year of the Goat is associated with the 8th Earthly Branch symbol, (wèi).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Ox (zodiac)</span> Sign of the Chinese zodiac

    The Ox is the second of the 12-year periodic sequence (cycle) of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar, and also appears in related calendar systems. The Chinese term translated here as ox is in Chinese niú , a word generally referring to cows, bulls, or neutered types of the bovine family, such as common cattle or water buffalo. The zodiacal ox may be construed as male, female, neutered, intersex, and either singular or plural. The Year of the Ox is also denoted by the Earthly Branch symbol chǒu. The term "zodiac" ultimately derives from an Ancient Greek term referring to a "circle of little animals". There are also a yearly month of the ox and a daily hour of the ox. Years of the oxen (cows) are cyclically differentiated by correlation to the Heavenly Stems cycle, resulting in a repeating cycle of five years of the ox/cow, each ox/cow year also being associated with one of the Chinese wǔxíng, also known as the "five elements", or "phases": the "Five Phases" being Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth. The Year of the Ox follows after the Year of the Rat which happened in 2020 and is then followed by the Year of the Tiger, which happened in 2022.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Rat (zodiac)</span> Sign of the Chinese zodiac

    The Rat or Mouse is the first of the repeating 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac, constituting part of the Chinese calendar system. The Year of the Rat in standard Chinese is Chinese: 鼠年; pinyin: shǔnián. The rat is associated with the first branch of the Earthly Branch symbol (), which starts a repeating cycle of twelve years. The Chinese word shǔ refers to various small rodents (Muroidea), such as rats and mice. The term "zodiac" ultimately derives from an Ancient Greek term referring to a "circle of little animals". There are also a yearly month of the rat and a daily hour of the rat. Years of the rat are cyclically differentiated by correlation to the Heavenly Stems cycle, resulting in a repeating cycle of five years of the rat, each rat year also being associated with one of the Chinese wu xing, also known as the "five elements", or "phases": the "Five Phases" being Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Vietnamese zodiac</span> Traditional Vietnamese lunar calendar classification scheme

    The Vietnamese zodiac is the traditional Vietnamese classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The Viet lunar calendar is divided into 60-year cycles known as hồi. Each of these consists of five 12-year animal cycles.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Astrological sign</span> Twelve 30° sectors of the ecliptic, as defined by Western astrology

    In Western astrology, astrological signs are the twelve 30-degree sectors that make up Earth's 360-degree orbit around the Sun. The signs enumerate from the first day of spring, known as the First Point of Aries, which is the vernal equinox. The astrological signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The Western zodiac originated in Babylonian astrology, and was later influenced by the Hellenistic culture. Each sign was named after a constellation the sun annually moved through while crossing the sky. This observation is emphasized in the simplified and popular sun sign astrology. Over the centuries, Western astrology's zodiacal divisions have shifted out of alignment with the constellations they were named after by axial precession of the Earth while Hindu astrology measurements correct for this shifting. Astrology was developed in Chinese and Tibetan cultures as well but these astrologies are not based upon the zodiac but deal with the whole sky.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Tibetan calendar</span> Tibetan Lunisolar calendar

    The Tibetan calendar, or the Phukpa calendar, known as the Tibetan lunar calendar, is a lunisolar calendar composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year. The 15th century Phukpa calendar is the main Tibetan calendar, and the Karma Kagyu's Tsurluk calendar is also in current use. The Tibetan New Year celebration is Losar, which falls either in the months of February or March in the Gregorian calendar.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Tai Sui</span> Star opposite Jupiter in Chinese zodiac

    Tai Sui is a Chinese name for stars directly opposite the planet Jupiter in its roughly 12-year orbital cycle. Personified as deities, they are important features of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Taoism, and to a lesser extent Chinese Buddhism.

    In 1981, China began minting coins to commemorate the Chinese New Year. The Chinese lunar series consist of gold, silver and platinum coins, in a variety of sizes, denominations and shapes. The reverse of each coin depicts the zodiac animal for the corresponding year of issue, while the obverse features an historical building or other notable cultural image.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat (zodiac)</span> Sign of the Vietnamese zodiac

    The Cat is the 4th animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac, and Gurung zodiac, taking place of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac. As such, the traits associated with the Rabbit are attributed to the Cat. Cats are in conflict with the Rat.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooster (zodiac)</span> Sign of the Chinese zodiac

    The Rooster is the tenth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rooster is represented by the Earthly Branch symbol .

    <i>Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads</i> Artwork by Ai Weiwei

    Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads is an artwork by Chinese contemporary artist and political commentator, Ai Weiwei. The work comes in a small (gold) and large (bronze) version.

    Khorol or Khorlo is a multi-trick tile-based game played in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Tuva, usually on Lunar New Year's. It is played between two and eight players with four being the most common. The game appeared during Manchu rule (1645-1912). It is similar to the game of Daaluu (Даалуу) played with a double set of Chinese dominoes.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lunar Series (British coin)</span>

    The Lunar or Shēngxiào (生肖) coin series is a collection of British coins issued by the Royal Mint, featuring the Chinese zodiac in celebration of Chinese New Year. First issued in 2014, the series has been minted in varying denominations of silver and gold, as both bullion and proof.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Kotobuki (folklore)</span> Japanese mythological creature

    Kotobuki is a yōkai in Japanese mythology. The Kotobuki is a Japanese Chimera that has the parts of the creatures of the animals on the Chinese zodiac where it sports the head of a rat, the ears of a rabbit, the horns of an ox, the comb of a rooster, the beard of a goat, the neck of a dragon, the mane of a horse, the shoulders of a tiger, the arms of a monkey, the back of a boar, the hind legs of a dog, and the tail of a snake.

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