When compiling the Chinese horoscope, the first consideration is the rhythm of the Moon’s, Saturn’s, and Jupiter’s movement across the sky.
There are numerous Chinese legends explaining the origin of the symbols of the Eastern horoscope; one of them is this:
Once, Buddha invited all the animals who wished to come to his birthday celebration (the celebration of the New Year, a banquet, or the day of Buddha’s departure from this world—depending on interpretation). Twelve animals arrived: the weather was cold, and to reach Buddha, they had to swim across a wide river. In the order they arrived, Buddha granted each animal the rule over one year. The first to arrive was the Rat, who received the first year of the 12-year cycle. However, eyewitnesses of this remarkable crossing claim that the Ox was actually the first to reach the opposite bank. The Rat, not wanting to get wet in the cold water, asked the Ox to carry her on his back, and he kindly agreed. While the Ox was shaking himself off to appear presentable before Buddha, the Rat jumped off his back and quickly ran ahead, becoming first. She was rewarded for her ability to take advantage of circumstances. Some time later, part of the audience insisted it was not a rat but a small yet clever Mouse, and that she hadn’t asked the Ox for a ride at all, but had hitched a free ride. The Ox didn’t notice her and was surprised to find himself second in line. The Tiger came shortly after the Ox and received the third year.
Spectators, captivated by the competition between the Ox and the Tiger (who have competed with each other ever since in life), thus failed to notice who arrived fourth—the Cat, the Hare, or the Rabbit. Due to the passage of time, the truth can no longer be established, and different Eastern peoples still retain varying interpretations regarding the ruler of the fourth year. Fifth came the Dragon, sixth was the Snake, seventh—the Horse. Here, a band of fog rolled over the river, and again it was unclear who came eighth—the Goat or the Sheep (according to the Japanese horoscope). Ninth was the Monkey, who only entered the water after being convinced the crossing was safe. Tenth arrived the Rooster, who was delayed because he spent a long time giving detailed instructions to his large family on how they should live in his absence. Eleventh was the Dog. She had numerous household chores since morning and only dashed into the water once she had finished them. It is said she fell ill for a long time afterward. Finally, the last to appear was the Boar (according to other sources, he sent the Pig in his place). Buddha granted him the last year.
The Chinese horoscope includes 12 animals and 5 elements. Multiplying these numbers gives a full cycle of 60 years. Each element is associated with a specific color: Wood—green, Water—blue/black, Metal—white, Earth—ochre, Fire—red.
In Chinese astrology, the hour, day, month, and year of a person’s birth are used to determine their fate.
Thus, in China there are 12 zodiac signs which, unlike the Western zodiac signs corresponding to one month each, rule over an entire lunar year beginning at the end of January or the beginning of February.
The animals of the Chinese Zodiac are:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
In the next article, we will write in detail about these zodiac signs.
