- Best Matches for 12 Signs:
Rat: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Ox: Rat, Monkey, Rooster
Tiger: Dragon, Horse, Pig
Rabbit: Sheep, Monkey, Dog, Pig
Dragon: Rooster, Rat, Monkey
Snake: Dragon, Rooster
Horse: Tiger, Sheep, Rabbit
Sheep: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
Monkey: Ox, Rabbit
Rooster: Ox, Snake
Dog: Rabbit
Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep
Oringe of Chinse Zodiac
Similar to the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, animals in Chinese zodiac were also created for counting years as the system that is now universally accepted based on the Gregorian calendar. The selection and order of the animals that influence people's lives very much was originated in the Han Dynasty (202BC – 220AD) and based upon each animal's character and living habits. The old-time division was mostly related to number 12: one ji equals 12 years, one year has 12 months, one day has 12 time periods called shi chen. Ancient people observe that there are 12 full moons within one year. So, its origin is associated with astrology. Each animal sign is usually related with an earthly branch, so the animal years were called Zi Rat, Chou Ox, Yin Tiger, Mao Rabbit, Chen Dragon, Si Snake, Wu Horse, Wei Sheep, Shen Monkey, You Rooster, Xu Dog and Hai Pig.
Chinese Zodiac Story
Legend has it that one day the gods ordered that animals be designated as signs of each year and the twelve that arrived first were selected...Chinese Zodiac Story
Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth)
The animal year when a person was born is called his / her Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth). The distinctive zodiacal way of calculating years based on the lunar calendar decides that every once in every twelve-year cycle people will meet their birth signs.
Although it sounds a bit superstitious, Chinese people take their year of birth seriously. According to the soothsaying, people in their own Ben Ming Nian may offend “Taisui”, also called the God of Age, so they would suffer a lot of misfortunes, such as sickness, economic loss, physical injuries and obstacles in career. However, there are effective ways to diminish the unlucky impacts. The most popular solution is wearing red underwear, socks or waist belts given by elders, for red is believed to bring them good luck. Some jewelry accessories may also help, such as pendants and bracelets with auspicious images.
12 Zodiac Signs and Time
| |
Hours |
Description |
| Rat |
Zi Shi: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. |
This is the time rats actively seek food. |
| Ox |
Chou Shi: 1 to 3 a.m. |
This is the time that oxen ruminate. |
| Tiger |
Yin Shi: 3 to 5 a.m. |
Tigers hunt prey and display fiercest nature. |
| Rabbit |
Mao Shi: 5 to 7 a.m. |
The Jade Rabbit on the moon is busy pounding medicinal herb with a pestle. |
| Dragon |
Chen Shi: 7 to 9 a.m. |
Dragons are hover in the sky at that time to give people rainfall. |
| Snake |
Si Shi: 9 to 11 a.m. |
Snakes start to leave their burrows. |
| Horse |
Wu Shi: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
With the sun high above, other animals are lying down for a noon break while the unconstrained horse is still vigorous. |
| Sheep |
Wei Shi: 1 to 3 p.m. |
It is said that if sheep ate grass at this time, they would grow stronger. |
| Monkey |
Shen Shi: 3 to 5 p.m. |
Monkeys become lively. |
| Rooster |
You Shi: 5 to 7 p.m. |
Roosters return to their roost as it is dark. |
| Dog |
Xu Shi: 7 to 9 p.m. |
Dogs begin to carry out their duty to guard entrances. |
| Pig |
Hai Shi: 9 to 11 p.m. |
All is quiet and pigs are sleeping soundly. |
You can use the zodiac calculator to search for your Chinese zodiac animal sign. Select your Gregorian date of birth, and you'll reveal your date of birth according to the lunar calendar, together with your sign.You can also find out your zodiac sign from Chinese zodiac years chart.
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