The Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese Zodiac is also called the Chinese Astrology or the Chinese
Horoscope. The Chinese Zodiac legend originated in ancient China. Legend has it that
the king of Heaven, Great Emperor Yu Huang Da Di, wanted to designate 12 animals
as the guardian gods for the world of the mortals. Hence, Great Emperor Yu Huang
Da Di invited many animals to participate in a race. The first 12 animals that reached
the destination would become the guardian gods for the world of the mortals. In the
end, the rat was the first to arrive, and the ox was the second. Later, the tiger, the
rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and
the pig arrived at the finish line, in that sequence. The 12 animals of course were
designated as the guardian gods for the world of the mortals, but would take turns,
each turn lasting one year. Every 12 years makes a cycle, and the cycle is repeated
forever. In Chinese lunar calendar, every year is named after a guardian god’s name.
Therefore, the 12 years are named “the Year of the Rat,” “the Year of the Ox,” and so
forth. The above is the legend how the 12 animals are used as symbols of the Chinese
Zodiac. The Chinese Zodiac has had a great impact on Chinese culture. In primeval
Chinese society, Chinese ancestors believed that animals were human beings’
forefathers, and Chinese ancestors devoutly worshipped the animals (Pu, & Yu,1990;
Shin, 2007).
Shin (2007) notes that the 12 animal signs can offer tips for telling other
people’s ages. Through the animal sign, it is easy to count up the year of his or her
birth. Without asking directly what someone’s age is, if one can learn his or her
animal sign, it is easy to determine if one has a sufficient knowledge of the zodiac. As
Shin also points out, Chinese horoscopes, developed from the 12 animal signs of the
Chinese Zodiac, have been consulted on a daily basis in China for thousands of years.
Several decades ago, the Chinese horoscopes were introduced to the West, and many
Westerners took to the idea of being associated with a particular animal sign, a
comprehensible symbol with recognizable human characteristics. It would be seem
that people often find it convenient to try to comprehend mankind on the basis of
animal traits and behavior. Chinese Zodiac folk beliefs influence Chinese people a lot,
although there are some signs that this influence might be waning somewhat. Most
Chinese believe that a person’s position in the Chinese lunar-year cycle will determine
the individual’s fate (Wong, & Yung, 2005). According to Goodkind’s studies
(1991,1996), Chinese people’s fertility rates surge during the year of the dragon, as it
is regarded as an auspicious sign in line with traditional folk beliefs. Other major
events like getting married and starting new business ventures are often timed to
occur in the Dragon years. However, in contrast, many taboos and superstitions find
connection with the Year of the Tiger, since the tiger is considered ominous. Chinese
people believe that those who are born in the Year of the Tiger are ferocious in nature
and will suffer hardships in their lives. Chinese people are unwilling to give birth in
the Tiger Year. The birth of daughters especially decreases during the Tiger Years
(Goodkind). In ancient Chinese society, women born in Tiger Years were seen as
unlucky, and they would have the offical listing of their birth year changed if possible,
usually to one year before or after their true birth years. It was believed, probably with
good reason, this modification would remove objections of the spouses family when it
came time to get married. Moreover, “Tigers” are unwelcome guests at wedding
ceremonies, and are also forbidden from visiting newborn babies and the babies’
mothers (Kaohsiung Museum of History [KMH], 2009). The following is a brief
introduction to the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Rat. The rat, 鼠 shu, is a mammalian gnawer which breeds quickly. It has
sharp incisors, short legs, and a long tail. The rat runs fast, and is one of the mediums
responsible for the transmission of the black plague. The rat is an unwelcome animal
in Chinese culture. It is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac (Huo Yong Chinese
Dictionary, 2004).
The Ox. The ox, 牛 niu, is a ruminant animal. In ancient Chinese society, oxen
were used to plow fields, and they were common farm animals. The ox is the second
sign of the Chinese Zodiac (Huo Yong Chinese Dictionary).
The Tiger. The tiger, 虎 hu, is a carnivore, and one of the largest members of
the cat family. With tawny fur, the tiger usually hunts at night. The tiger is regarded as
a fierce and brutal animal in Chinese culture. The tiger is the third sign of the Chinese
Zodiac.
The Rabbit. The rabbit, 兔 tu, is a quiet, peace-loving herbivore. The rabbit has
long ears and soft fur, and it is commonly kept as a pet in Taiwan. The rabbit’s hind
legs are enormously powerful, so a rabbit is able to make long jumps. The rabbit is the
fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Dragon. The dragon, 龍 long, is a mythical reptilian animal which can
breathe out fire. Unlike in the European tradition, in which the dragon tends to
symbolize evil (the New Oxford American Dictionary, 2001), the dragon has good
connotations in Chinese culture and is the emblem of the emperor. Though it is a
fictitious animal, it is still considered auspicious in China. The people born in the Year
of Dragon in Chinese lunar year are often regarded to harbingers of good luck and
inherently fortunate. For this reason, the birth rate in the Year of Dragon in Chinese
lunar year is the highest in the twelve years of Chinese Zodiac. The dragon is the fifth
sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Snake. The snake, 蛇 she, is a long thin reptile without legs. Hatched from
eggs, some kinds of snakes have poisonous bites. Most venomous snakes’ heads are
triangular. The snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Horse. The horse, 馬 ma, is a hooved herbivore. The horse can run fast
over long distances, so has been used to carry loads, to fight in battle, and for people
to ride on. The horse is considered an enduring and persevering animal. The horse is
the seventh sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Goat. The goat, 羊 yang, is a ruminant domestic herbivore with horns. It is
raised on farms both for its milk and for its meat. The goat is the eighth sign of the
Chinese Zodiac.
The Monkey. The monkey, 猴 hou, is a mammal with a tail. Its outward
appearance is roughly human in shape, but its body is much smaller than humans’.
The monkey’s limbs are vigorous, so it can easily climb trees and move quickly. The
monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Rooster. The rooster, 雞 ji, is a common domestic fowl in ancient Chinese
society. Male chickens are roosters, and female chickens are hens. Adult males crow
in the early mornings, which helps wake up people. Adult females lay eggs for people
to eat, and the chicken’s meat serves as people’s foods as well. The rooster is the tenth
sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Dog. The dog, 狗 gou, is most commonly raised as a domestic animal. The
dog is usually kept as a pet or trained to do some specialized work. For instance, some
dogs are trained to be guide dogs or to guard the house, and so have come to be
regarded as humans’ best partners. For most Chinese, the dog is the emblem of
faithfulness. The dog is the eleventh sign of the Chinese Zodiac.
The Pig. The pig, 豬 zhu, is one of the common domestic animals in China and
Taiwan. It has short limbs, a broad nose and a chubby body. There are many types of
pigs. Some pigs have pink skins, but some have black or brown ones. The pig is also
called a hog, and it is usually raised for its meat. The pig is the twelfth sign of the
Chinese Zodiac.
Some Chinese believe that the characteristics of one’s birth animal will affect a
person’s personality. Chinese people have long been in the habit of applying the
related information to create Chinese horoscopes－daily predictions based upon the
year of a person’s birth (http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=344,
Retrieved April 19, 2010).
According to the prophetic words of the Chinese Zodiac, the people who are born in
the Year of Dragon will have good fortune all their lives; that is the reason why the
birth rate in the Year of Dragon is the highest of the twelve Chinese lunar years.
Similarly, people who are born in the Year of Ox and the Year of Horse are considered
patient and diligent. However, not every Chinese nowadays believes the predictions of
the Chinese Zodiac. A graphic chart may present the Chinese Zodiac more clearly.
Figure 1. The Chinese Zodiac