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65-559: The Rat or Mouse ( 鼠 ) is the first of the repeating 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac , constituting part of the Chinese calendar system (with similar systems in use elsewhere). 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 子 ( zǐ ), which starts
130-626: A nāga in place of the Dragon 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. Historically, Lan Na (Kingdom around Northern Thailand) also replaces pig with elephant. While modern Thai have returned to pig, its name
195-492: 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
260-600: 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
325-526: A close relation with Chinese philosophy (theory of the three harmonies: heaven, earth, and human), and uses the principles of yin and yang , wuxing (five phases), the ten Heavenly Stems , the twelve Earthly Branches , the lunisolar calendar (moon calendar and sun calendar), and the time calculation after year, month, day, and shichen ( 時辰 , double hour). These concepts are not readily found or familiar in Western astrology or culture. Chinese astrology
390-992: 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. The first Trine consists of the Rat , Dragon , and Monkey . These three signs are considered intense and powerful individuals capable of great good. They are seen as great leaders but are also known to be unpredictable. The three are intelligent, generous, charismatic, charming, authoritative, confident, eloquent, and artistic. However, they can also exhibit traits such as being manipulative, jealous, selfish, aggressive, vindictive, and deceitful. The second Trine consists of
455-451: A repeating cycle of twelve years. The Chinese word shǔ ( 鼠 ) 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 ( Chinese double hour , midnight, 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.). Years of the rat are cyclically differentiated by correlation to
520-546: 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. 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
585-458: 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
650-549: Is all twelve signs, with five seasons. Michel Ferlus (2013) notes that the Old Chinese names of the earthly branches are of Austroasiatic origin. Some of Ferlus's comparisons are given below, with Old Chinese reconstructions cited from Baxter & Sagart (2014). There is also a lexical correspondence with Austronesian : The terms for the earthly branches are attested from Shang dynasty inscriptions and were likely also used before Shang times. Ferlus (2013) suggests that
715-557: 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 . 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 . The Japanese zodiac includes the Sheep ( hitsuji ) instead of
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#1732875859268780-451: Is based on birthday, birth season, and birth hour, known as zi wei dou shu ( 紫微斗数 ; 紫微斗數 ; zǐwēidǒushù ), or Purple Star Astrology, is still used regularly in modern-day Chinese astrology to divine one's fortune. The 28 Chinese constellations , Xiu ( 宿 ; xiù ), are quite different from Western constellations. For example, the Big Bear ( Ursa Major ) is known as Dou ( 斗 ; dǒu );
845-455: Is celebrated during Chinese New Year , in many parts of the world, with the animal appropriate to each new year serving as an artistic motif for decorations. The Rat and other zodiacal animals are also a popular motif on Chinese lunar coins and other coin series minted by various countries and also on various internationally issued postage stamps . In English, Rat Years are sometimes referred to as Mouse Years instead, although in Chinese there
910-528: Is generally associated with the celestial region of the Mystical Warrior , or Xuánwǔ ((玄武)), and specifically with the mansion Xū (虛) , which in turn is associated with the direction North and the darkest part of the winter season, in the northern hemisphere. (Xū (虛) is more-or-less equivalent to Beta Aquarii , also known as Sadalsuud). In old Chinese tradition, the hours of a day-night period were divided into 12 double-hours , each corresponding to one of
975-413: Is important to create restraints in the whole system. For example, if Fire was allowed to burn out of control, it would be devastating and destructive as we see in nature in the form of bush fires or internally as high fevers, (Destructing, overcoming or inter-restraining or weakening cycle). Fire makes Metal flexible; Metal adds the minerals to Wood for there to be strong upward growth; Wood draws water from
1040-425: Is no distinction between the terms. Chinese zodiac The Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification scheme based on the Chinese calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. The zodiac is very important in traditional Chinese culture and exists as a reflection of Chinese philosophy and culture . Chinese folkways held that one's personality
1105-510: Is only applied to Chinese Lunar calendar. The sexagenary cycle begins at lichun . Each of the Chinese lunar years are associated with a combination of the ten Heavenly Stems ( Chinese : 天干 ; pinyin : tiāngān ) and the twelve Earthly Branches ( Chinese : 地支 ; pinyin : dìzhī ) which make up the 60 Stem-Branches ( Chinese : 干支 ; pinyin : gānzhī ) in a sexagenary cycle. ( 干支 ) in Pinyin Although it
1170-439: Is related to the attributes of their zodiac animal. Originating from China , the zodiac and its variations remain popular in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries , such as Japan , South Korea , Vietnam , Singapore , Nepal , Bhutan , Cambodia , and Thailand . Identifying this scheme as a " zodiac " reflects superficial similarities to the Western zodiac : both divide time cycles into twelve parts, label
1235-521: Is still กุน (gu̜n) , retaining the actual word for elephant in the zodiac. 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. The Bulgar calendar used from the 2nd century and that has been only partially reconstructed uses a similar sixty-year cycle of twelve animal-named years groups. The Old Mongol calendar uses
1300-556: Is usually translated as 'element', the Chinese word xing literally means something like 'changing states of being', 'permutations' or 'metamorphoses of being'. In fact, Sinologists cannot agree on one single translation. The Chinese notion of 'element' is therefore quite different from the Western one. In the west, India Vedic, and Japanese Go dai elements were seen as the basic building blocks of matter and static or stationary. The Chinese 'elements', by contrast, were seen as ever changing, and
1365-472: 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. Many stories and fables explain the beginning of the zodiac . Since the Han dynasty , the twelve Earthly Branches have been used to record
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#17328758592681430-736: The Goat (which would be yagi ), and the Wild boar ( inoshishi , i ) instead of the Pig ( buta ). Since 1873, the Japanese have celebrated the beginning of the new year on 1 January as per the Gregorian calendar . 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
1495-540: The Ox , Snake , and Rooster . These three signs are said to possess endurance and application, with a slow accumulation of energy. They are meticulous at planning but tend to hold fixed opinions. The three are described as intelligent, hard-working, modest, industrious, loyal, philosophical, patient, good-hearted, and morally upright. However, they can also exhibit traits such as being self-righteous, egotistical, vain, judgmental, narrow-minded, and petty. The third Trine consists of
1560-544: The Rabbit , Goat , and Pig . These three signs are said to have a calm nature and a somewhat reasonable approach. They seek aesthetic beauty, are artistic, well-mannered, and compassionate, yet they can also be detached and resigned to their condition. The three are described as caring, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent. However, they can also exhibit traits such as being naive, pedantic, insecure, selfish, indecisive, and pessimistic. As
1625-485: The Tiger , Horse , and Dog . These three signs are said to seek true love, pursue humanitarian causes, and be idealistic and independent, but they tend to be impulsive. They are described as productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic, honorable, loyal, and protective. However, they can also display traits such as being rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, anxious, disagreeable, and stubborn. The fourth Trine consists of
1690-465: The Heavenly Stems cycle, resulting in a repeating cycle of five years of the rat (over a sixty-year period), 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 ( 火 huǒ ), Water ( 水 shuǐ ), Wood ( 木 mù ), Metal ( 金 jīn ), and Earth ( 土 tǔ ). In Chinese tradition, the first year
1755-537: 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
1820-666: 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 ). 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 . The Thai zodiac includes
1885-608: The Rabbit . The Cambodian zodiac is exactly identical to that of the Chinese although the dragon is interchangeable with the Neak ( nāga ) Cambodian sea snake. 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. The Cham zodiac uses the same order as the Chinese zodiac, but replaces
1950-574: The Summer Triangle is the trio of the cowherd ( Altair ), the weaving maiden fairy ( Vega ), and the "tai bai" fairy ( Deneb ). The two forbidden lovers were separated by the silvery river (the Milky Way ). Each year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar, the birds form a bridge across the Milky Way. The cowherd carries their two sons (the two stars on each side of Altair ) across
2015-466: The start of spring . There are theories that suggest the twelve animals were chosen for their symbolic traits, based on their revered status in traditional Chinese culture. The selection process varied regionally before being standardized in the Han Dynasty (Cao, 2008). This standardization connected these animals into a cyclical timekeeping system, which is seen as a way to reflect personality traits and
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2080-399: The "Year of the Rat", while bearing the following elemental sign: The following is a chart of the dates of the Gregorian calendar . In traditional Chinese astrology as well as traditional Chinese astronomy the sky was mapped into various asterisms or what are sometimes referred to as Chinese constellations . This is actually more similar to the zodiac of Western astrology than is
2145-505: The 12-animal cycle. The stars along the plane of the ecliptic were divided into groups known as the Twenty-Eight Mansions . Because the moon during its monthly cycle could be observed to appear to move from one mansion (or "camp") into the next each night in turn, they are also known as Lunar Mansions. Traditionally, these mansions were divided into four groups of seven each, and associated with one of four spiritual entities . The rat
2210-609: 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. A common way to explore zodiac compatibility
2275-505: The Jade Emperor's judgment. The zodiacal rat is known in other cultures besides China, in Asia and beyond. Generally, the rat/mouse is the first of a twelve-year animal cycle, although some of the other animals tend to vary. In Japan, the rat is known as nezumi , and is the first in a twelve-year zodiacal cycle of animals. The Year of the Rat and the years of the subsequent other zodiacal animals
2340-1065: 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. The Tibetan calendar replaces the Rooster with the bird . Chinese astrology Chinese astrology is based on traditional Chinese astronomy and the Chinese calendar . Chinese astrology flourished during the Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD). Chinese astrology has
2405-528: The Ox that it could hear the Rat sing, 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 ,
2470-469: 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,
2535-736: 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. Another popular cultural reason is that the ancient word for rabbit (Mao) sounds like cat (Meo). 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
2600-413: The animal signs assigned by year represent self-presentation or perception by others. 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
2665-482: The belt of Orion is known as Shen ( 参 ; 參 ; shēn ), or the "Happiness, Fortune, Longevity" trio of demigods. The seven northern constellations are referred to as Xuan Wu ( 玄武 ; xuánwǔ ). Xuan Wu is also known as the spirit of the northern sky or the spirit of water in Taoist belief. In addition to astrological readings of the heavenly bodies, the stars in the sky form the basis of many fairy tales . For example,
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2730-421: The bridge to reunite with their fairy mother. The tai bai fairy acts as the chaperone of these two immortal lovers. Chinese astrology has a close relation with Chinese philosophy. The core values and concepts of Chinese philosophy originate from Taoism. 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 1924–1983). This
2795-414: The broader 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. However, according to historical records and research, the Chinese zodiac appeared after the establishment of the "Ganji Chronicle Law", and each of
2860-440: The first possible replacement animal which they encountered, (a pig ). After the start of the competition, the rat achieved first place by performing on the flute while upon the back of the ox . Impressed, the Jade Emperor placed the rat at the beginning of the twelve-year cycle (and the ox second, for being so generous as to allow the rat to play the flute upon the ox's back). Then the other animals were placed in order according to
2925-483: The majority of those parts with animals, and are used to ascribe a person's personality or events in their life to the person's particular relationship to the cycle. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in a cycle are not only used to represent years in China but are also believed to influence people's personalities, careers, compatibility, marriages, and fortunes. For the starting date of a zodiac year, there are two schools of thought in Chinese astrology : Chinese New Year or
2990-430: The order of the animals in the twelve-year cycle was due to a competition between animal candidates, held by the ruler of Heaven , Earth , and Hell — the Jade Emperor . According to one version of this tale, the emperor's advisors selected twelve candidates from among the animal types, including the rat and the cat. The winner was to be selected based upon merit, as to personal appearance, lifestyle, and contributions to
3055-527: 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 and literature and, unlike all other countries who follow
3120-479: The philosophical principles of Chinese medicine and divination, astrology and alchemy. The five classical planets are associated with the wuxing : According to Chinese astrology, a person's fate can be determined by the position of the major planets at the person's birth along with the positions of the Sun, Moon, comets, the person's time of birth, and zodiac sign . The system of the twelve-year cycle of animal signs
3185-431: 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. Another version of the folktale tells that the Rat deceived the Ox into letting it jump on its back by promising
3250-407: The rat is associated with various beliefs about prognostications for the upcoming year, lucky numbers, lucky colors, auspicious romantic connections, similarities between persons born in those years, correlations between Chinese astrology and Western astrology and the like. Traditional Chinese astrology and horoscope has paid much more attention to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches than to
3315-510: 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
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#17328758592683380-464: The sign of the Rat . 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 ). 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. In Chinese astrology
3445-562: The terms were ancient pre-Shang borrowings from Austroasiatic languages spoken in the Yangtze River region. 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 their sign, the current sign of the year, and the person's generational disposition (teens, mid-20s, and so on). For example,
3510-403: The time of day. However, for entertainment and convenience, 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. 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. An ancient folktale called "The Great Race" tells of
3575-453: The transliteration of xing is simply 'the five changes' and in traditional Chinese medicine are commonly referred to as phrases. Things seen as associated to each xing are listed below. (Inter-promoting, begetting, engendering, mothering or enhancing cycle) Generating: Wood fuels Fire to burn; Fire creates Earth (ash); Earth produces minerals, Metal; Metal creates Water from condensation; Water nourishes Wood to grow. The regulating cycle
3640-478: 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
3705-460: The twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac , with similar symbolic motif and astrological significance. The first of the twelve double hours encompasses midnight, at the middle of the double hour, corresponding with 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with midnight being the midpoint of the first double-hour, which is the Hour of the Rat, or the hour zǐ ( 子 ). In popular culture, the zodiacal idea of year of
3770-467: The world. Before the competition, the cat asked the rat for a wake up call in order to get to the show on time; however, the rat apprehensive of the competition, especially as to the cat's apparent beauty, did not wake the cat, who then overslept (and, ever afterwards, the embittered cat became a ratter and a mouser). The Jade Emperor mystified as to why there were only eleven candidate animals to show up inquired of his servants. These servants hastily acquired
3835-513: 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. "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. The zodiac traditionally begins with
3900-408: The zoology or symbolism of the 12 animals; rather the reference to the animals was more of a way of horology , keeping track of time. Nevertheless, modern times have shown an increased interest in the zodiacal animals, with a great deal of popular interest, in various places of the world. In any case, the rat has long been associated with keen and quick intelligence. A popular modern story has it that
3965-526: 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
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#17328758592684030-523: Was built from observations of the orbit of Jupiter (the Year Star; simplified Chinese : 岁星 ; traditional Chinese : 歳星 ; pinyin : Suìxīng ). Following the orbit of Jupiter around the Sun, Chinese astronomers divided the celestial circle into 12 sections, and rounded it to 12 years (from 11.86). Jupiter is associated with the constellation Sheti ( 摄提 ; 攝提 - Boötes ) and is sometimes called Sheti. A system of computing one's predestined fate
4095-495: Was elaborated during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) and flourished during the Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD). During the Han period, the familiar elements of traditional Chinese culture—the yin-yang philosophy, the theory and technology of the five elements ( Wuxing ), the concepts of heaven and earth, and Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian morality—were brought together to formalize
4160-526: 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
4225-546: Was the equivalent of 2637 BCE (although others give other dates). The Prime Minister of the first emperor, Huangdi (also known as the Yellow Emperor), is said in this year to have worked out the sixty-year zodiacal cycle. Part of this achievement was the discovery and incorporation of the nineteen-year so-called Metonic cycle which correlates lunar and solar dates, as part of the system (using leap months). People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in
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