Background
The Chinese lunar year does not begin on the 1st of January but on a date which starts from the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, so it varies from year to year. Thus someone born on 5th February 1983 according to the Wester Calendar would actually be born in 1982 according to the Chinese lunar calendar, because the first day of 1983 is 13th February.
The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar. Some numerologists think the Chinese zodiac starts from the beginning of spring. Lichun is the first of the twenty-four solar terms. The twenty-four solar terms are divided according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic (that is, the orbit of the earth around the sun). Most people think the Chinese zodiac starts from the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar.
The Chinese zodiac is represented by 12 zodiac signs/animals. They are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. It’s somehow similar to western astrology. The two systems have the same number of signs: 12. The Western signs are Ram, Bull, Twins, Crab, Lion, Virgin, Scales, Scorpion, Centaur, Sea-Goat, Water Bearer, and Fish.
You can check your zodiac animal with the following converter by typing your birthday:
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Chinese zodiac signs are divided on a year-by-year basis, while western signs are divided per month. This means that the Chinese believe that people who were born in the same year have similar traits, while Westerners believe that those born in the same month-long time frame have similar traits.
Here you can learn all about the Chinese zodiac, including how to identify your Chinese zodiac sign. Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign.
Each zodiac sign has a wealth of legends, which has gradually become a folk belief of the Chinese people. The twelve zodiac signs are matched with the five elements, and together with the mutual growth and mutual restraint of the five elements, a kind of image philosophy of folk culture has gradually formed, which is widely used in prediction, life, marriage, luck, etc.
There are also some customs and habits in various places, such as looking at the zodiac signs of both men and women when marrying, and nowadays more people regard the zodiac as the mascot of the Spring Festival, which has become an important part of entertainment and cultural activities.
Why are there twelve zodiac signs instead of ten or eight? In fact, this is determined according to the twelve earthly branches. According to legend, it was invented by king Xuanyuan.
the Heavenly Stems are ten: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui; the earthly branches are twelve: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are referred to as Gan-Zhi for short, because the first of the Heavenly Stems is Jia, and the first of the Earthly Branches is Zi, also called Jiazi.
1. THE RAT
People born in the Year of the Rat is an opportunist with an eye for a bargain. Rats tend to collect but are unwilling to pay too much for anything.
They are more lively, quick-witted and passionate, but also a little timid, and like to stand on the cusp of the storm, appear in a conspicuous place, and stand out from the crowd. But because of this, it is often easy to be targeted. Rat people seem sociable and gregarious yet underneath they can be miserly and stingy. They are capable of deep emotions despite their cool exteriors.
Characteristics
① Positive attitude, diligent work, witty mind and dexterous hands and feet.
② Treat people kindly, have self-discipline, and be considerate of others when encountering problems.
③ Strong adaptability, good at making friends in all aspects.
④ Affectionate and affectionate, slightly introverted, lively in action, and warm to others.
⑤ Observation is meticulous, and the way of thinking is organized.
Weaknesses
a little timid, suspicious and conservative, short-sighted on individual issues, and lack of depth of understanding.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rat:
Thales 585 BC, the first philosopher of the West.
Galileo 1564-1642, Italian physicist.
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck 1744-1829, French biologist, pioneer of the theory of evolution.
2. The OX
People born in the Year of the Ox are honest, solid and dependable. Most of them are hard-working, but they are usually stubborn. People born in the year of Ox are described as those who can’t turn corners. They are not demonstrative or romantic and are not easily influenced by others’ ideas. Loyalty is part of their nature, but if crossed or deceived they will never forget. Ox people have patience, but if its limits once roused, their temper is hard to control.
Characteristics
① Diligent work and strong enterprising spirit;
② Honest and honest, pragmatic, a strong sense of responsibility, endurance;
③ Have a sense of justice and love to fight injustice;
④ Diligent and thrifty housekeeping and stability.
Weaknesses
a little stubborn, lack of accommodation; sometimes subjective and arbitrary.
Famous people born in the Year of the Ox:
Plato (428-348 BC), a Greek philosopher, laid the basic trend of Western thought.
Alhazen 965-1039, Arab physicist.
Paracelsus 1493-1541, German-Swiss physician and alchemist.
3. The tiger
People born in the Year of the Tiger are dynamic and more powerful and imposing. Tiger people are also entrepreneurial types. One mountain does not allow two tigers, which also means that tigers love to compare. Either stronger or weaker than people, just unwilling to be on an equal footing with others. Tigers are egotistic, do not like failure and need to be admired. Tiger people can be generous and warm, but will also sometimes show their claws.
Characteristics
① Energetic and ambitious;
② Dare to think and act, to be brave to open up;
③ Enthusiastic and generous, tenacious and self-confident, self-willed.
④ Have a sense of justice and be willing to help others.
Weaknesses
Emotional, self-righteous, a little arrogant and self-willed.
Famous people born in the Year of the Tiger:
Al-Battani 858-929, Arab astronomer.
Agricola (1494-1555), German physician and mineralogist, author of On Metals.
Harvey (1578-1657), a British physician, discovered blood circulation.
4. The Rabbit
People born in the Year of the Rabbit is a born diplomats and cannot bear conflict. There is no doubt that rabbits are also timid, and often start without thinking. Rabbits are also very smart. The cunning rabbit’s three kilns mean being smart, and most rabbits have the opportunity to become rent collectors because they have so many houses. It is difficult to gauge what Rabbits are thinking and they can often appear to be constantly daydreaming, though in reality, they may be planning their next strategy. The rabbit is the calmest unless their space is invaded. Rabbit people prefer to keep away from the spotlight where possible and to enjoy the little things of life.
Characteristics
① Tenderness, kindness, optimism, and delicate feelings;
② Smart and flexible, considerate of others;
③ Elegant temperament and delicate thinking;
④ Be patient and humble, not arguing.
Weaknesses
a bit vanity, sometimes unstable temperament, easy to be impatient, and often satisfied with the status quo.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit:
Pythagoras (570-497 BC), the first mathematician in the West.
Roger Bacon 1219-1292, pioneer of modern experimental science.
Trevithick (1771-1833), a British engineer, invented the first steam locomotive.
5. The Dragon
People born in the Year of the Dragon are authority figures. Most of them are also bigwigs. Of the twelve zodiac animals, only the dragon is a fictional animal. Since ancient times, Chinese people have called dragons, phoenixes, unicorns and tortoises the “Four Spirits” and considered them to be the most auspicious animals. The dragon has a long face like a horse, a body like a snake, eighty-one scales on its back, and limbs like chicken feet. It can both fly in the air and dive.
People born in the Year of the Dragon have mysterious and unpredictable characteristics like the dragon, so their personalities are elusive. Dragon people are ambitious dreamers. They like adventure and pursue a romantic life. Although they are always at the centre of things, they tend to be loners and are prone to stress when life becomes difficult. Dragon people are always available to help others, but their pride makes it difficult for them to accept help in return.
Characteristics
① Go forward bravely and have a strong enterprising spirit;
② Concentrate on and be determined and willing to work.
③ Filial piety, generosity, good at financial management;
④ Smart, talented and high-spirited.
Weaknesses
Sometimes irritable, domineering, subjective and stubborn, appearing to be aggressive and not admit defeat.
Famous people born in the Year of the Dragon:
Avicenna 980-1037, the master of Arabic medicine.
Coulomb (1736-1806), a French physicist, discovered Coulomb’s law.
Lagrange (Lagrange) 1736-1813, French mathematician, master of analytical mechanics.
Watt 1736-1819, British inventor.
6. The Snake
People born in the Year of the Snake are mysterious, charming, and ruthless, and when a target appears, they are absolutely possessive. Snake people dare to love and hate, when they hate someone, they can hate them to death. It’s hard for snake people to forgive and will never forget a slight. Snakes will bite back with deadly accuracy until the time is right.
Snake people are elegant and sophisticated. They are connoisseurs of the good things in life. Snake people‘s intuition makes them sense the motives of others and can sum up situations accurately.
Most people don’t know what the snake is thinking, just like it walks, it bends and bends, there are no rules, but it also means that they are very flexible.
Characteristics
① Concentrate and be conscientious and responsible;
② Ingenuity and quick thinking;
③ Energetic, easy-going and cheerful;
④ The surface is calm, sometimes the mouth is quick.
Weaknesses
Sometimes unsteady, narrow-minded, sometimes “on the horns”, suspicious temperament, less trusting of others.
Famous people born in the Year of the Snake:
Hippocrates (460-370 BC), the father of Western medicine.
Galen (129-199), Roman physician, master of Greek medicine.
Copernicus (1473-1543), Polish astronomer, author of “On the Movement of the Celestial Sphere”.
7. The Horse
People born in the Year of the Horse are ambitious, confident and ever-active. Horses are unwilling to admit defeat, so they can motivate themselves to strive actively in everything. They will work tirelessly until a project is completed. The biggest function of a horse is to run and conquer the world. So usually horse people should leave their hometown for the best development.
Horse people can be impatient and have explosive tempers. They cannot last, it is difficult for horses to keep secrets, and it is easy to change the girl(/boy)friend.
Horses also represent wisdom. The older you get, the wiser you become and the richer your life experience will be.
Characteristics
① Energetic, resolute and decisive;
② Good and evil are clear, honest and enthusiastic;
③ Able to speak well, not be afraid of difficulties, and move forward courageously.
Weaknesses
lack of calm and sometimes impatient, stubborn personality.
Famous people born in the Year of the Horse:
Averroes 1126-1198, Arab physician and philosopher, organizer and commentator of Aristotle’s writings.
Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), Danish astronomer.
Herschel 1738-1822, a German-British astronomer, discovered Uranus.
8. The Goat
People born in the Year of the Goat are peace-lovers, emotional and compassionate. Goat is the most affectionate zodiac sign. People born in this year are called philanthropists, they are often upright, kind, and easily infected by the misfortunes of others. They are docile and tend to be shy and vulnerable to criticism.
It is said that people born in winter in the Year of the Goat will encounter many difficulties in their life because winter lack food for goat. During this season, goats will starve.
Goat people have an excellent destiny and are usually lucky. People are often willing to help goat people. Goat people are generally popular and are usually well cared for by others.
Characteristics
① Strong desire for research and creativity;
② Kindness, tolerance, obedience;
③ Be patient and don’t make trouble. Adapt quickly to the environment.
Weaknesses
Emotional, poor subjectivity, indecision.
Famous people born in the Year of the Goat:
Pliny 23-79 years, Roman naturalist, author of “Natural History”.
Kepler 1571-1630, German astronomer.
Newton 1643-1727, British physicist.
9. The Monkey
People born in the Year of the Monkey are intelligent, life-loving, energetic, curious about new worlds, adventurous, exciting, and always have new discoveries. Monkey people are full of energy and are always active. They are cheerful and optimistic, full of humour, more than life, but less serious. Monkey people usually have a free and easy life and live a long and happy life. Monkeys tend to be oblivious of other people and of the effect their own actions may have on them. Coddling their children may be their weakness.
Characteristics
① Enterprising, like competition;
② Versatile and versatile;
③ A little vanity, romantic life, unconstrained;
④ Be able to get along well with people and be good at socializing.
Weaknesses
jealous, frivolous, changeable temperament, lack of integrity.
Famous people born in the Year of the Monkey:
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance science and art all-rounder.
Bruno 1548-1600, Italian thinker, communicator of Copernicus doctrine.
Descartes 1596-1650, French philosopher, mathematician, physicist, and founder of modern philosophy.
10. The Rooster
People born in the Year of the Rooster is a social expert. They can live in harmony with new acquaintances, and get along well with all the people. Roosters people shine in situations where they are able to be the centre of attention. Rooster people are good at seeing through the minds of others and have a keen reaction. No matter what emergencies and incidents are encountered, they can immediately come up with relevant countermeasures. People born in the year of the rooster have a flexible mind but are too impatient to do anything. They are confident and extremely strong-willed and full of energy. Rooster people love beauty, especially women, they pay great attention to dress, they are very sensitive to colour, and they are outstanding in colour matching.
Characteristics
① Energetic, good at speaking;
② Investigation and research, pay attention to efficiency;
③ Decisive, keen, and good at expressing himself;
④ Forge ahead bravely, be strong-willed, and always want to be a blockbuster.
Weaknesses
Weird temper, argumentative, stubborn, slightly selfish.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rooster:
Aristotle (384-322 BC), a Greek philosopher, the first encyclopaedic thinker.
Euclid around 300 BC, the master of Greek geometry, author of “Elements of Geometry”.
Eratosthenes 276-194 BC, father of Western geography.
Celsius circa 1 AD, Roman encyclopaedic scholar.
Generally speaking, zodiac sign of rooster has the most celebrities.
11. The Dog
People born in the Year of the Dog are intelligent and very conservative, cautious. so it takes a while to become close friends with others, but once they identify someone, they will maintain a certain relationship with sincerity. Dogs are loyal to their friends and they always listen to the problems of others. Dog people have a strong sense of justice. But he will do anything for the person he loves. Dog people can be hard workers but are not all that interested in accumulating wealth for themselves.
Characteristics
① Firm will, faithful and reliable;
② Justice, fairness and agility;
③ Smart, knowledgeable, organized;
④ Be used by others, be obedient and bear hardships, and pay attention to reality.
Weaknesses
Sometimes impatient, blindly inclined, stubborn, reckless, may lose principal due to petty profit
Famous people born in the Year of the Dog:
Archimedes (287-212 BC), the greatest mathematical scientist in the ancient world.
Vesalius (1514-1564), Belgian physiologist, author of “The Structure of the Human Body”.
Franklin (1706-1790), an American statesman, leader of the Revolutionary War, and a famous electrician.
12. The Pig
People born in the zodiac sign of the Pig are generally calm-minded, honest and generous. No matter how difficult problems they encounter, they are always attentive, so they can handle things properly. Pig people is everybody’s friend and prefer to think well of people. They are more enthusiastic in dealing with people, so they usually have many friends. When they encounter difficulties, there will be a group of friends to help them. Pigs love the social scene and are popular. They always share with their friends and trust that their friends will make allowances in return.
Pig people are strong, warm, and usually wealthy. Over-indulgence may be their greatest weakness. Most of them like a luxury, they indulge in the comfort of life, showing their high taste everywhere.
Characteristics
① Sincere, honest and compassionate;
② Energetic, honest to others;
③ Concentrate on one’s mind and be enthusiastic about everything;
④ Trust others, be cheerful and optimistic.
Weaknesses
Emotional, stubborn and conservative, short-sighted, and sometimes unstable.
Famous people born in the Year of the Pig:
Hooke (1635-1703), a British physicist, and microbiologist.
Linne (1707-1778), Swedish biologist, author of “Natural Systems”.
Buffon (1707-1788), French naturalist, author of “Natural History”.