|
Maybe you're a Dragon, searching for a Monkey to make your life complete. But stay away from those Dogs... or maybe not. The Chinese Zodiac is a new and creative way to view your life and of those around you from an Eastern perspective - and fun to study as well!
Unlike the Western version of the Zodiac, the Chinese use only animals to create their cycle - and each animal gets their own year instead of a single month. There are 12 animals in all, with a full cycle of the Zodiac taking 12 years. Usually when a Chinese person reaches their 60th birthday they have a big celebration because they have completed a full cycle of five cycles of the 12 years; a major feat in Eastern Culture. One advantage of asking a person which year they were born in is that you can calculate their age instead of asking outright; an affront in many cultures. The twelve animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and lastly, the Year of the Boar.
Each character also holds many aspects of their animal which are conveyed to the person birthed in that year. For example, Dragon people encompass anyone born in the following years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000. The legend says that they are given the gift of health, energy and courage. It is one of the most beneficial signs to be born under; the four blessings being virtue, riches harmony and longevity. Although Dragon people are said to be eccentric, they are also great workers and stick to the task at hand.
As you can see, it is not unlike the Western Zodiac interpretation for many signs, only that instead of a month you have an entire year to be born in. Many people check their mate's sign only to find that they are following the Chinese Zodiac, whether they liked it or not. For example, Dragons are better off with Monkeys than Dogs; same as Taurus people are viewed to be better suited to Virgos than other signs.
The legend of how these legendary animals came into their places is intriguing. Many centuries ago there was no way to measure time, sending the Chinese people into constant confusion. The Jade Emperor or the Emperor of Heaven decided to hold a contest on his birthday, having the first 12 animals who could cross a swiftly flowing river to the opposite shore winning places in the new Zodiac.
Immediately rivalries started up between the animals. The cat and the rat, who had been good friends but were now estranged and knew that as poor swimmers they had no chance, so they convinced the ox to carry them both across the river; promising to let him walk first on the shore. The ox agreed, being rather gullible and good-natured. But as they were wading across the river the cat and the rat began to fight again; the cat being pushed into the river at the last minute by the rat who wanted to eliminate any competition. Thus cats and rats are enemies to this day. The ox plodded on towards the shore and the rat leapt off and onto the shore before his helpful ally, taking first place in the race. The ox received second place and was happy with it. Third went to the tiger who arrived exhausted due to the strong current pushing him further down the river, succeeding only because of his great strength.
Creativity played a part in the fourth Zodiac animal. The rabbit sat on the opposite shore, pondering how to cross. Suddenly he began to leap from stone to stone and finally to a floating log that carried him to shore, safe and dry. The Emperor was amazed at the agility of this animal and quickly named him the fourth Zodiac sign.
The Emperor was very intrigued as the dragon flew in to land on the shore, taking the fifth place. He asked the dragon why he hadn't been the first one, since he could fly and swim, and therefore should have beaten the others. The dragon responded that he had stopped to alleviate a drought in the land below and when he had reached the river he had seen a tiny rabbit clinging tightly to a log stuck on a rock in the middle of the river, so he had given a mighty puff and blown the log with the rabbit aboard to the opposite shore, following behind.
The Emperor applauded the dragon's consideration and thoughtfulness just as the horse made his appearance out of the water and towards the shore. But just as the horse was about to lay a hoof on the solid ground and gain his spot, a snake appeared from between his hooves, making him jump back in shock and fear. The snake therefore became the sixth animal and the horse the seventh.
A team effort created the next three signs. The sheep, the monkey and the rooster formed an alliance to get across; the rooster flying about until he had found a raft with the sheep and monkey clearing the weeds and paddling toward the solid land. Impressed with their friendship, the Emperor named the sheep the eighth, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth Zodiac animals.
The dog was the next on the shore, surprising the Emperor who asked again why he had taken so long, since he could swim. The dog replied that since it was such a lovely day and that he was so dirty, he had stopped to take a bath before jumping into the river and polluting the clean fresh water with his filthy body. Thus the eleventh animal was recorded.
As the crowd began to grow restless the Jade Emperor made ready to dismiss them and head back to his Palace when he suddenly heard a small squeal from a tiny pig, trotting along the shore towards him. He asked why the diminutive animal had taken so long, with the pig replying that he had gotten hungry during the race and had stopped for a snack. After eating he had taken a short nap and woke to find himself far behind the others. The Emperor laughed and proclaimed the pig as the last Zodiac animal, the twelfth.
As you can see, each animal exhibited the traits inherent in their Zodiac sign and thus in the people born under them. What sign are you? Check below to see what year you were born in and thus your sign.
Rat
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
Ox
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985. 1997
Tiger
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Rabbit
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Dragon
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Snake
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Horse
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Ram
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Monkey
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Rooster
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Dog
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Pig
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
As you can see, the Chinese Zodiac is a wonderful and intriguing system to determine your personality and that of your friends and family. Older than the Western Zodiac, it has persevered through time and become more popular in recent years. Follow your sign and you can't go wrong!
|
| |
