Chinese zodiac facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chinese zodiac
Chinese	生肖
Hanyu Pinyin	shēngxiào
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin shēngxiào Bopomofo ㄕㄥ ㄒㄧㄠ Gwoyeu Romatzyh shengshiau Wade–Giles sheng1-hsiao1 Wu Romanization sen平-siau去 Hakka Romanization sensiau Yue: Cantonese Jyutping saang1-ciu3 Southern Min Hokkien POJ singsiàu Eastern Min Fuzhou BUC săng-ngá
Alternative Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	属相
Traditional Chinese	屬相
Hanyu Pinyin	shǔxiàng
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin shǔxiàng Bopomofo ㄕㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄤ Gwoyeu Romatzyh shuushiang Wade–Giles shu3-hsiang1 Wu Romanization zoh入-sian平 Yue: Cantonese Jyutping suk6-soeng3 Southern Min Hokkien POJ sio̍ksiùnn

The Chinese zodiac is a special system from China. It uses the Chinese calendar to give an animal to each year. There are twelve animals, and they repeat in a cycle.

In Chinese culture, the zodiac is very important. Many people believe your personality is linked to your zodiac animal. This system started in China. Now, it's popular in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries. These include Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The Chinese zodiac is a bit like the Western zodiac. Both have twelve parts. Most parts are named after animals. Both also link a person's personality to their sign. But there are key differences. The Chinese zodiac animals represent years, not months. They are also believed to affect your personality, career, and even marriage.

The Chinese zodiac year starts on one of two dates. It can begin on Chinese New Year. Or it can start on the first day of spring. This is called Start of Spring.

The animals of the Chinese zodiac are not linked to constellations. It uses the Chinese calendar, which follows the moon's cycles. The Western zodiac uses constellations. Also, some Western signs are not animals. The word zodiac comes from an old Greek word meaning "cycle of animals."

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

A stone carving of the Chinese zodiac.

The Chinese zodiac traditionally starts with the Rat. There are twelve animal signs in total. Each animal has its own special traits. These traits include its yin/yang force and nature element.

Many people believe that everyone and every animal has a role. This idea fits with traditional Chinese beliefs. The zodiac is still used today, just like old beliefs mix with new ideas.

Here are the twelve zodiac animals in order:

People often think the year animal is the only sign. But there are also animal signs for months, days, and even hours! These are called "inner animals," "true animals," and "secret animals."

Chinese Calendar and Years

The Chinese zodiac is part of a bigger system called the Four Pillars of Destiny. The year you are born tells about your family and how you relate to older relatives.

You can also guess a person's age using their sign. For example, if you were born in the year of the Tiger, you would be 12, 24, or 36 years old in a Tiger year. In the year of the Rabbit, you would be one year older.

The 60-Year Cycle

The Chinese calendar uses a 60-year cycle. This table shows the cycle from 1924 to 2043. The zodiac year usually starts around February 4th.

Animal Groups (Trines)

The twelve zodiac animals are grouped into four "Trines." Animals in the same Trine are believed to have similar personalities.

First Trine: Rat, Dragon, Monkey

• These signs are often strong and powerful.
• They can be great leaders.
• They are usually smart, kind, charming, and confident.
• Sometimes, they can be tricky, jealous, or aggressive.

Second Trine: Ox, Snake, Rooster

• These signs are known for being patient and hardworking.
• They plan things carefully and stick to their ideas.
• They are often smart, modest, loyal, and good-hearted.
• They can sometimes be stubborn or too proud.

Third Trine: Tiger, Horse, Dog

• These signs look for true love and care about others.
• They are often independent and full of energy.
• They are usually productive, enthusiastic, and loyal.
• Sometimes, they can be quick to act without thinking or easily upset.

Fourth Trine: Rabbit, Goat, Pig

• These signs are usually calm and sensible.
• They love beauty and are artistic and kind.
• They are often caring, helpful, creative, and wise.
• They can sometimes be shy, unsure, or a bit sad.

Zodiac Compatibility

Chinese Zodiac Compatibility-Conflict-Harm Grid in accordance to one's nature, characteristics, and elements

The Chinese zodiac is based on the ancient Five Elements Theory. This theory says that everything in the universe is connected. Each zodiac sign is linked to one of these five elements.

People born under different animal signs are thought to have different personalities. Many people use zodiac compatibility charts. These charts show how well different signs get along. For example, signs that are good matches might have similar interests. Signs that don't get along as well might have different ways of thinking.

Origin Stories of the Zodiac

Many stories and fables explain how the zodiac began. The twelve Earthly Branches were used to mark time. Later, animals were used instead to make it easier to remember. Each animal is linked to a two-hour period of the day.

The Great Race Story

This image depicts a scene from the "Great Race" folk story, in which the Ox carries the Rat across the river.

One popular folk story is called "The Great Race." It says the Jade Emperor wanted to name the calendar years after animals. The order would depend on who reached him first. The animals had to cross a river to get there.

The Cat and the Rat were not good swimmers. They decided to ride on the back of the kind Ox. As they neared the other side, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water. Then, the Rat jumped off the Ox and ran to the Emperor. The Rat became the first animal of the zodiac. The Ox came in second.

The Tiger arrived third. It told the Emperor that strong currents pushed it downstream.

Next came the Rabbit. It explained how it hopped across stones. It almost lost but grabbed a floating log that carried it to shore. The Rabbit became the fourth animal.

The flying Dragon came in fifth. The Emperor asked why it wasn't first. The Dragon said it stopped to bring rain to a village. On its way, it saw the Rabbit struggling and helped it reach shore. The Emperor was impressed by the Dragon's kindness.

Then, the Horse galloped up. But a Snake was hidden on its hoof! The Snake jumped out, scaring the Horse. The Snake got sixth place, and the Horse got seventh.

After that, the Goat, Monkey, and Rooster arrived. They worked together to cross the river. The Rooster found a raft, and the Monkey and Goat pulled it. The Emperor liked their teamwork. The Goat was eighth, the Monkey ninth, and the Rooster tenth.

The Dog came eleventh. Even though it was a good swimmer, it stopped to play in the water. It almost didn't make it to the finish line.

Just as the Emperor was about to end the race, the Pig arrived. The Pig got hungry during the race. It stopped to eat and then fell asleep! After waking up, it finished last, in twelfth place.

The Cat drowned and didn't make it into the zodiac. This story says that's why cats always hunt rats and don't like water.

Other Versions of the Story

Another story says the Rat tricked the Ox by singing to it. Then the Rat jumped off at the finish line. Some versions say the Rat tricked the Cat by hiding on the dog's back. This explains why cats and rats fight.

In Buddhism, a legend says Gautama Buddha called all animals before he left Earth. Only twelve animals came to say goodbye. To thank them, he named a year after each animal in the order they arrived.

Historians believe the cat is not in the Chinese zodiac because cats were not common in China when the zodiac started. They came to China later with Buddhism. However, in Vietnam, the zodiac has a Water Buffalo instead of an Ox, and a Cat instead of a Rabbit.

Zodiac Adaptations in Other Cultures

The Chinese zodiac signs are used in many other cultures. For example, they appear on Korean New Year and Japanese New Year cards. The United States Postal Service even makes stamps for each zodiac year.

The zodiac is also popular in stores. During Chinese New Year, you can find many products with zodiac animals. These include toys, books, and paintings.

The idea of Chinese zodiac coins inspired other countries. Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Mongolia have made similar coins.

Some other Asian countries use the Chinese zodiac. But they might change some of the animals.

Asian Variations

• The Korean zodiac uses a Sheep instead of a Goat.
• The Japanese zodiac uses a Sheep instead of a Goat. It also uses a Wild boar instead of a Pig.
• The Vietnamese zodiac has a Water Buffalo instead of an Ox. It also has a Cat instead of a Rabbit.
• The Cambodian zodiac is similar to the Chinese one. The Dragon can be a Neak (a type of sea snake). The Sheep and Goat can also be swapped.
• The Cham zodiac uses a turtle instead of a Monkey.
• The Malay zodiac uses a mousedeer instead of a Rabbit. It uses a tortoise instead of a Pig. The Dragon is sometimes called a Big Snake.
• The Thai zodiac uses a nāga (a mythical snake) instead of a Dragon. It starts in April, not January or February.
• The Gurung zodiac in Nepal uses a Cow instead of an Ox. It has a Cat instead of a Rabbit. It uses an Eagle instead of a Dragon. It has a Bird instead of a Rooster. It uses a Deer instead of a Pig.
• The Old Mongol calendar uses a Leopard instead of a Tiger. It has a Crocodile instead of a Dragon. It uses a Hen instead of a Rooster.
• The Tibetan calendar uses a bird instead of a Rooster.
• Some Turkic peoples use a Leopard (instead of Tiger), Fish or Crocodile (instead of Dragon), Hedgehog (instead of Monkey), Elephant (instead of Pig), and Camel (instead of Rat).
• In the Persian zodiac, the Dragon is called nahang, meaning "water beast." This can mean crocodiles, hippos, or even whales.
• The Kazakh zodiac uses a snail instead of a Dragon. It uses a leopard instead of a Tiger.
• The Kyrgyz zodiac uses words for Dragon, Monkey, and Tiger that are only found in Chinese zodiac names.

English Animal Names

Sometimes, the English names for the zodiac animals can be confusing. This is because the original Chinese words might not have exact English matches.

• The Chinese word for Rat (鼠) can mean both rat and mouse. Rat is most common.
• The Chinese word for Ox (牛) can mean ox, bull, cow, or buffalo. Ox is most common.
• The Chinese word for Rabbit (卯) can mean rabbit or hare. Hares were more common in ancient China.
• The Chinese word for Snake (蛇) can also mean serpent, a large snake.
• The Chinese word for Goat (羊) can mean goat, sheep, or ram. Goat is most common.
• The Chinese word for Rooster (雞) can mean rooster, chicken, or hen. Rooster is most common.

Images for kids

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  A chart showing good and bad days for bloodletting. It has a sme ba (9 figures for elements) in the middle. It also shows the Chinese bagua (eight trigrams) and the twelve zodiac animals.

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  Soyombo and other Buddhist, Tengrist, and Chinese zodiac symbols in a wall mosaic.

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  Twelve Chinese zodiac jade figurines. From the Capital Museum, Beijing, China.

See also

• Chinese astrology
• Four Pillars of Destiny
• Chinese spiritual world concepts
• Earthly Branches
• Astrology and science
• Chinese New Year