From Travel.asianfanatics.net

Contents 1 Chinese Calendar 2 The Story of the Animal Signs 2.1 Version 1 2.2 Version 2 2.3 Version 3 2.4 Version 4 3 The Yearly Animal Signs and Their Characteristics 3.1 Rat 3.2 Cow/Ox 3.3 The Tiger 3.4 The Rabbit 3.5 The Dragon 3.6 The Snake 3.7 The Horse 3.8 The Goat 3.9 The Monkey 3.10 The Rooster 3.11 The Dog 3.12 The Pig 4 The Five Elements and Their Characteristics 4.1 Wood 4.2 Earth 4.3 Metal 4.4 Fire 4.5 Water 5 Yin and Yang: The Need for Balance

[edit] Chinese Calendar

In order to truly understand Chinese astrology, we first must look at the Chinese calendar - or calendars as they use both a Lunar and a Solar calendar.

The Chinese blend a combination of the solar and lunar calendar- and use both in various applications of astrology. Popular astrology uses the lunar calendar, which is why we have the Chinese New year starting on different days every year. Most Feng Shui astrology (including 4 Pillars analysis) uses the solar calendar.

Evidence of the earliest calendars was dated to the Shang Dynasty (1800-1200 BCE) and was inscribed on Oracle bones. This calendar established the solar year at 365 1/4 days and lunation at 29 1/2 days.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Winter Solstice must occur in the 11th month of the year, and the Chinese New Year on the second new moon after the solstice. Chinese years, months, and days are also assigned a name based upon the Chinese system of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in both solar and lunar calendars. In this cyclical system, each year, month, and day is associated with one of the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches. A week is counted off by these 10 days or stems, and also by 12 days, or branches. Each successive time period will have a new Stem and Branch, until one has been going through the Stems 6 times and the Branches 5 times, to give a total of 60 unique combinations.

In the case of years and dates, the Stem and Branch method gives a continuous cycle for thousands of years. This is similar for months, but in the case of a leap month, it is assigned its previous month's Branch/Stem combination with the leap designation added. A leap month is added to compensate for the facts that there isn't an even number of days in a moon cycle, there isn't an even number of moon cycles in a year, and there are at least three ways of measuring the length of a moon cycle!

The Chinese also divide time differently; a day consists of 12, 120 minute hours.

The solar calendar is called the Hsia calendar, and is used by the farmers as the Sun rules the seasons. The solar calendar breaks down the year into 24 "mini-seasons" or ch'i chieh. These subdivisions relate to the equinoxes and solstices.

[edit] The Story of the Animal Signs

The exact origins of the twelve animal system remain unknown. There are several stories you can hear.

[edit] Version 1

Once upon a time, the Jade King was bored, having nothing to do in Heaven. He did not see what was happening on Earth, as he had servants satiating his every wish and desire. He decided that he wanted to see the animals that inhabited the earth so he sent word to his advisors to bring him twelve animals (which he considered to be a good sampling.) The advisor first sent an invitation to the Rat, telling him to also bring the cat. The Rat's jealousy prevented the cat from actually receiving the invitation.

Further invitations were sent on to the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster and the Dog, asking for their presence at the palace the following day. When they lined up in front of the king, he found that they numbered only eleven, instead of twelve as he had requested. The king sent his servant down to Earth to retrieve a twelfth animal. The servant ran into a man carrying a Pig, and he hastily grabbed it and delivered it to the king.

The animals stood in front of the king in no particular order. The Rat, being smaller than the rest, hopped on the Ox's back and proceeded to play the flute. The king was very impressed by this display. He gave the Rat first place. Second place was given to the Ox for its good sportsmanship, and third was given to the Tiger, who appeared so courageous. The Rabbit was given fourth place, the Dragon fifth, the Snake sixth, the Horse seventh, the Ram eighth, the Monkey ninth, the Rooster tenth and the Dog eleventh. By default, and due to the king's just nature, twelfth place went to the Pig. After the ceremony concluded, the cat (who missed the invitation) begged the king to reconsider. He was told it was too late.

[edit] Version 2

Legend has it that Chinese Astrology and the order of the twelve animals that define it was determined thousands of years ago by Lord Buddha himself. According to ancient scripts, Buddha realised that the Chinese nation needed a reorganisation. So on the occasion of the Chinese New Year (which occurs on different dates from mid-January to mid-February), Buddha called upon the entire animal kingdom for a meeting. But only twelve animals (rat, buffalo, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and boar) showed up for this meeting.

Buddha then honoured them in the order of their arrival by endowing upon them with a year of their own. From then on, each successive year of the Chinese calendar bore that character of the animal that gave it a name and so, those born in specific animal years are marked by the nature of their natal animal.

[edit] Version 3

According to Chinese legend, the order of the twelve signs was determined by Buddha, upon celebration of the Chinese New Year (which falls on different dates, from mid-January to mid-February.) The Buddha invited all of the animals in the kingdom together for a meeting, but only 12 creatures attended. The first animal to arrive was the talkative Rat (who was aggressive enough to jump off the back of the Ox in order to be the #1 arrival) next in place #2, came the serious, enduring and hard-working Ox with the honorable Tiger, and cautious Cat. The outspoken Dragon joined the others, along with the philosophical Snake. The physically active Horse arrived with the artistic Goat. The spirited Monkey and the showy Rooster came as well. The last to join the others was the watchful Dog and the meticulous, resigned Pig. Buddha gave each animal a year of its own, bestowing the nature and characteristics of each to those born in that animals year.

[edit] Version 4

Once upon a time, the Jade King was bored, having nothing to do in Heaven. He sent out invitations to different animals for a race. The Jade King will give each animal a year for the first 12 animals who crosses the line. The race started smoothly. As the rat and the cat are very intelligent, they asked the cow if they can ride on his back. The rat, jealous of the cat, pushed down the cat, who was taking a nap, from the cow's back when they were crossing the river. Then before the finish line, the rat jumped off the cow's back and arrived first. From that moment, that's why cats don't like rats.

[edit] The Yearly Animal Signs and Their Characteristics

[edit] Rat

Asian cultures do not denigrate the humble rodent as we do in the West, the rat is seen as a very clever and intelligent animal. Rats are quick witted and nimble. They are very expressive and aggressive, and confident, strong business people. They are most loyal to their few friends, and make devoted family members.

[edit] Cow/Ox

Oxen are very stable, persistent and stubborn people with more strength and fortitude than any other sign. They have remarkable memories and are highly creative. They are not the most social, and prefer being with a few friends rather than at large gatherings. They are also patient and very loyal to those close to them.

[edit] The Tiger

Flamboyant and aggressive, the Tiger is also charming and hard to resist. Tigers are always in a hurry, pursuing some cause, or passionately involved with a latest interest. Tigers are born leaders, but need to learn moderation in all things. They can have bad tempers and need to learn to control their passions.

[edit] The Rabbit

Whereas the Tiger conquers by force, the Rabbit conquers by diplomacy. A Rabbit is very calm, kind, and sweet and has many friends. He detests confrontations, and may also be insecure and afraid of expressing himself. Rabbits are very deep emotionally, and have a strong artistic or poetic streak.

[edit] The Dragon

The natural sign of nobility to the Chinese people, Dragons are noble in nature and commanding in presence. They are aggressive, determined, self-confident and dominant, and can also be snobs if they choose to. They love power, but usually handle it well. Most Chinese parents aspire to have a Dragon child - as they are good luck.

[edit] The Snake

Despite the Western negative connotations - the Asian snake is a charming intellectual, full of grace and intelligence. He is never loud, but very diplomatic and graceful. Snakes are philosophers and deep thinkers. A bit lazy, the snake enjoys luxury and has an excellent sense of humor.

[edit] The Horse

Born to run, Horses are active, physical people with lots of energy. They are very productive, hard working people as well. Horses love social events, and love the spotlight. Innately rebellious, they hate to be pressured or told what to do. The horse is cunning and full of "street-smarts". He is also hot-blooded and hot tempered.

[edit] The Goat

The most creative of all the signs, the Goat is also the most insecure. Goats are gentle, artistic, romantic and fond of nature. They are not the most organized people, but tend to succeed in creative pursuits. They tend to be charming dreamers that shy away from confrontations and heavy decision making.

[edit] The Monkey

The most fun-loving of all the signs, the Monkey loves to be the center of attention. Clever and cheerful, he can also be opportunistic and a bit selfish. Monkeys are great at problem solving and enjoy listening to the problems of their friends. They also cannot hide how they are feeling, and tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

[edit] The Rooster

The perceptive rooster misses nothing, and because of his strong analytical skills and fierce determination, makes a great business person. Forthright and straightforward, he does not play games, rather "what you see is what you get". Roosters have strong emotional natures and are fond of social activity.

[edit] The Dog

Faithful, loyal and sincere, the Dog is the most honest friend to have. He reveres duty, tradition, and honor. He shows great courage in adversity, is very reliable, and is a great listener. He can also be very righteous and judgmental under adverse circumstances.

[edit] The Pig

Probably the most generous and honorable sign of the Chinese zodiac, Pigs are highly intelligent and have hearts of gold. Sadly, they can be taken advantage of by others not so generous. Pigs love luxury and have impeccable manners. They also can tend to see things through rose colored glasses.

[edit] The Five Elements and Their Characteristics

Another extremely important concept in Chinese astrology is the concept of the five elements - wood, earth, fire, water and metal. This differs from the Western concept of the elements, which is air, fire, water and earth. Elemental representations are used extensively in Feng Shui as "cures", and each animal sign is accompanied by a yearly element as well.

[edit] Wood

The wood element represents the creative force of nature and all things green and growing. It is associated with Spring and new life, and the colors green and blue. Wood people are creative, strong and resilient - seeking growth and new creation in all that they do. All flowers, plants, trees, and things made of wood represent this element. The natural shape representing wood is rectangular.

[edit] Earth

The earth element nurtures all that we do, and represents solidity and grounding. Earth people are firm and resolute - we can say they are "down to Earth" - just like in Western astrology. They are also practical, hard working and very conservative. The color for earth is yellow, just like the loess soil of central China. Natural stones, rocks, tiles, bricks, and flat or rectangular shapes represent the earth element.

[edit] Metal

Metal symbolizes autumn, and the tools used in the harvest and reaping of produce. The evening also represents the metal element - with the golden sunset. Metal people are forceful, strong and determined - and can often be driven by a need to succeed. All round shapes, knives, jewelry, and tools represent the metal element.

[edit] Fire

Fire is very similar to the Western astrological definition, and symbolizes the life force. It is an element of summer, and of the south. Optimism, enthusiasm and motivation are governed by fire, as is anger and war. Fire people are quite intelligent, impulsive, fervent, and dynamic - true leaders. The colors of Fire are orange and red, and the shape associated with fire is triangular. Stoves, candles, and hearths all represent the fire element.

[edit] Water

Also similar to the Western definition, water represents emotions and emotional depth. Water is considered cleansing in Chinese astrology, and governs all forms of communications and travel as well. Water people are fluent, have deep feelings and often strong intuitions or psychic powers as well. The colors of water are blue and black, and this element is represented by any irregular or wavy shape. Fountains, fish ponds, aquariums, and tinkling bells all represent the water element.

[edit] Yin and Yang: The Need for Balance

The concept of yin and yang is central to Chinese astrology; each year not only has an animal and an element - but also a yin or yang polarity. Chinese astrology emphasizes the concept of balance - one way of calculating your "lucky" element is to look at your 4 Pillars chart (which we will examine in detail in the next lesson) and determine which element you are most lacking. This becomes the element you most need to bring into your life.

Nowhere is the concept of balance more graphically illustrated than in the concepts of yin and yang. Polar opposites, no yin can exist without yang and vice versa. Everything negative that happens to an individual is attributed to a lack of balance between yin and yang and the five elements, and everything that goes right, because a proper balance has been achieved. All changes in the universe occur through the workings of Yin and Yang, and the five elements as they flow through their creative and destructive cycles. This principle correlates with what we learn in modern science - all systems tend towards an equilibrium and will act to return to it if disturbed.

In Chinese literature, the Sun is known as the Great Yang and the Moon, the Great Yin. Yang represents the masculine principle, and signifies activity, aggressiveness, heat, hardness, and things that are illuminated and evident. Yin represents the feminine principle, and signifies things that are dark, hidden, passive, receptive, yielding, cool, and soft. Light is considered yang, and shadow, yin.

Six animals of the Chinese zodiac are naturally yang, and six are naturally yin. A normally yin animal will manifest more aggressively if found in a yang year. For example, the sign of the Goat is normally yin, but as there are yang goat years there are more assertive goat people to be found. Likewise, a yin Tiger or Dragon will be more subdued than the typical yang Tiger or Dragon.

Each element can also be either Yin or Yang - for example, yin metal would be soft and pliable like silver while yang metal would be hard like steel. In "real" Feng Shui - it is necessary to add elemental representations of the right polarity as well to correct imbalances. Feng Shui books tell us that the reason many people remain single is because they have too many representations of one or the other polarity in their home decor (Ex. the single female with ALL flower paintings in the bedroom). A few more examples of items that represent each elemental polarity are:

• Yin Wood - Dried plants, bamboo, paper
• Yang Wood - Plants that are green and healthy
• Yin Water- Paintings of water, wavy shaped curtains
• Yang Water -Fish tanks, fountains
• Yin Metal - Silver, trinkets, jewelry
• Yang Metal- Knives, swords, steel
• Yin Fire - Candles, soft lighting, clove and cinnamon incense
• Yang Fire - Fireplaces, stoves, ovens
• Yin Earth - Semiprecious and precious stones, dirt
• Yang Earth - Rocks, tile, brick