The origin and saying of the Chinese zodiac
The origin of the Chinese zodiac
The origin of the Chinese zodiac can be traced back to ancient times. Although there are many theories about the specific origin time, most studies believe that the system took shape in the Western Zhou Dynasty. According to ancient books such as Huainan Zi, the Book of Mountains and Seas and the Book of Changes, as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, China had a calendar system that divided a year into 12 periods and symbolized 12 animals, which was the earliest zodiac system. Later, this system was gradually developed and perfected during the Han Dynasty, forming the 12 animals we know today.
The origin of the zodiac is related to an animal competition initiated by the Yellow Emperor. The Yellow Emperor selected 12 animals for the competition, and finally decided that the top 12 animals represented the different years of the Chinese zodiac, respectively, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig. Although legendary, this statement also reflects the ancient people’s worship of animals and the way they divided time.
The character and compatibility of the 12 Zodiac signs
Each animal in the zodiac has its own unique symbolic meaning and personality traits. For example, the rat represents resourcefulness, intelligence, and caution. Cattle represent steadfast, steady, diligent; The tiger represents bravery, determination and confidence; Rabbit represents gentle, kind, cautious; The dragon stands for majesty, confidence and determination; The snake represents mystery, wisdom and subtlety; The horse represents enthusiasm, openness and freedom; Sheep represent kindness, tolerance, humility; The monkey represents wit, intelligence and liveliness; Chicken represents diligence, conscientiousness and responsibility; Dogs represent loyalty, bravery and kindness; The pig represents simple, kind and honest.
In terms of compatibility, the pairing between the twelve zodiac signs is not absolute, as each person’s personality and destiny are affected by multiple factors. However, according to the traditional concept of zodiac pairing, there may be better compatibility between certain zodiac signs. For example, tiger people are naturally domineering and like challenges and risks, while Rat people are very careful and understanding, and the two have a certain complement in character. This complementarity helps them to support each other in life and overcome various difficulties together.
Of course, zodiac pairing is just a traditional concept, it does not completely determine a person’s fate and personality. In modern society, we should view the relationship between people with a more open and inclusive mind, respecting each person’s personality and differences.
About the fortune-telling Chinese zodiac
In traditional Chinese culture, the zodiac is associated with fortune-telling. People often use their zodiac signs to predict their fortunes and fates. However, it should be emphasized that fortune telling is a traditional belief and cultural phenomenon, and it has no scientific basis. Therefore, in dealing with the issue of fortune telling, we should maintain a rational and objective attitude, and do not be too superstitious or rely on it to decide their lives and decisions.
The zodiac chart in recent years
The rat 鼠 (shǔ) 1924年、1936年、1948年、1960年、1972年、1984年、1996年、2008年、2020年、2032年
niu 牛 (niú) 1925年, 1937年, 1949年, 1961年, 1973年, 1985年, 1997年, 2009年, 2021年, 2033年
Tiger 虎 (hǔ) 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Rabbit 兔 (tù) 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
long 龍 (lóng) 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Snake 蛇 (shé) 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Ma 马 (mǎ) 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
yang 羊 (yáng) 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
Monkey 猴 1932年, 1944年, 1956年, 1968年, 1980年, 1992年, 2004年, 2016年, 2028年, 2040年
Rooster 鸡 (jī) 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Dog 狗 (gǒu) 1934年、1946年、1958年、1970年、1982年、1994年、2006年、2018年、2030年、2042年
Pig 猪 (zhū) 1935年, 1947年, 1959年, 1971年, 1983年, 1995年, 2007年, 2019年, 2031年, 2043年