Have you ever ever had one of many scroll calendars that Chinese language banks and eating places give out round Chinese language New Yr?
The calendars at all times have an advert for the enterprise on the backside and a gorgeous image on the high. Additionally they present all twelve of the Chinese language zodiac indicators together with the times of the lunar new yr in Mandarin Chinese language.
The lunar new yr decides your Chinese language zodiac animal, and your zodiac animal determines your character traits, fortunate symbols, and attributes. Individuals around the globe use Chinese language zodiac indicators to grasp their persona, predict relationship compatibility, and inform fortunes.
All it is advisable to uncover your zodiac signal is your birthday!
Right here is your full newbie’s information to understanding the Chinese language zodiac indicators…
What Are the Twelve Chinese language Zodiac Animals?
We all know that the Chinese language zodiac indicators have been round for greater than 2,000 years since earlier than the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC) because of historic books. It’s more durable to seek out the origin of the Chinese language zodiac animals, as a result of there are lots of completely different tales that designate how the zodiac cycle got here to be.
In elementary college, my classmates and I had been all taught the parable of the Nice Race, which is the story of how the heavenly Jade Emperor referred to as animals in China to participate in a race. The winners would turn into guards and symbols within the Chinese language zodiac.
The Chinese language zodiac thus follows the order wherein the animals completed the race, and the zodiac animals repeat each twelve years.
Discover Out Your Chinese language Zodiac Signal
The Chinese language zodiac referred to as 生肖 (shēng xiào) in Mandarin Chinese language and means “born resembling.” The concept is that folks could have traits which can be just like the animal of their zodiac beginning yr.
Many international locations in Asia, comparable to Cambodia and Singapore, use the Chinese language zodiac. International locations like Vietnam and Japan have tailored it for their very own use. Curious in regards to the Japanese zodiac? Try the Japanese zodiac indicators right here!
Your “origin of life yr” or 本命年 (běn mìng nián) decides your zodiac animal signal. The particular dates of the Chinese language New Yr change yearly, so double-check your zodiac signal when you have a birthday in January or February. The twelve Chinese language zodiac indicators so as and their related traits are:
Rat
Chinese language Phrase: 鼠 (shǔ)
Years: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Traits: optimistic, nosy, sentimental, adaptable, and sort
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: black, blue, and inexperienced
Fortunate Numbers: 4 and 9
Observe: The Chinese language character 鼠 can imply both “rat” or “mouse.”
Ox
Chinese language Phrase: 牛 (niú)
Years: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Traits: diligent, severe, loyal, sincere, and cussed
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: espresso, yellow, and orange
Fortunate Numbers: 1 and 4
- Observe: The Chinese language character 牛 can imply “ox,” “bull,” or “cow.”
Tiger
Chinese language Phrase: 虎 (hǔ)
Years: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Traits: formidable, enthusiastic, conceited, full of life, and decided
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: blue, grey, white, and orange
Fortunate Numbers: 1, 3, and 4
Rabbit
Chinese language Phrase: 兔 (tù)
Years: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Traits: light, reserved, variety, delicate, and considerate
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: purple, pink, purple, and blue
Fortunate Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Observe: The Chinese language character 兔 can imply both “hare” or “rabbit.”
Dragon
Chinese language Phrase: 龍 (lóng)
Simplified Chinese language: 龙 (lóng)
Years: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Traits: demanding, accountable, daring, honest, and temperamental
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: gold, silver, and grey
Fortunate Numbers: 1, 6, and seven
Snake
Chinese language Phrase: 蛇 (shé)
Years: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Traits: energetic, easy-going, secretive, passionate, and crafty
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: purple, mild yellow, and black
Fortunate Numbers: 2, 8, and 9
Observe: The Chinese language character 蛇 can even imply “serpent.”
Horse
Chinese language Phrase: 馬 (mǎ)
Simplified Chinese language: 马 (mǎ)
Years: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Traits: resolute, decisive, impatient, cheerful, and opinionated
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: inexperienced, purple, and purple
Fortunate Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Goat
Chinese language Phrase: 羊 (yáng)
Years: 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Traits: artistic, melancholy, tolerant, affected person, and indecisive
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: inexperienced, purple, and purple
Fortunate Numbers: 2, 8, and 9
Observe: The Chinese language character 羊 can imply “sheep,” “ram,” or “goat.”
Monkey
Chinese language Phrase: 猴 (hóu)
Years: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Traits: jealous, assured, useless, gifted, and intelligent
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: white, gold, and blue
Fortunate Numbers: 1, 7, and eight
Rooster
Chinese language Phrase: 雞 (jī)
Simplified Chinese language: 鸡 (jī)
Years: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Traits: aggressive, eager, argumentative, organized, and caring
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: gold, brown, and yellow-brown
Fortunate Numbers: 5, 7, and eight
Observe: The character 雞/鸡 can imply “hen,” “rooster,” or “hen.”
Canine
Chinese language Phrase: 狗 (gǒu)
Years: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Traits: dependable, clever, anxious, studious, and pessimistic
Attribute: yang
Fortunate Colours: inexperienced, purple, and purple
Fortunate Numbers: 3, 4, and 9
Pig
Chinese language Phrase: 豬 (zhū)
Simplified Chinese language: 猪 (zhū)
Years: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Traits: compassionate, calm, emotional, hardworking, and gullible
Attribute: yin
Fortunate Colours: yellow, grey, and occasional
Fortunate Numbers: 2, 5, and eight
What About Zodiac Traits and Blood Sorts?
Each zodiac signal has traits that change, and attributes that keep the identical.
Fastened attributes embrace symbolic components, fortunate symbols, and harmonic attributes. Altering attributes embrace character traits, blood sort, and time of beginning.
Fastened attributes would be the identical for everybody born in the identical zodiac yr. Altering attributes will end in variations between folks with the identical zodiac signal.
Individuals disagree on altering attributes extra usually.
For instance, I’ve two variations of the scroll calendar I discussed earlier. The primary model, “Scroll Calendar of the Rabbit,” describes the rabbit as “tender and wonderful.” The second model, “Scroll Calendar of the Horse,” describes the identical zodiac signal as “prudent and planning.”
Character traits differ on account of translation selections however can even change relying on components within the surroundings. Let’s say you’re formidable by nature as a tiger, however you’ve already watched your relative’s enterprise fail. You could be extra cautious than anticipated when beginning your individual enterprise because of this.
Blood varieties have an effect on how clear your character traits are. For instance, in case your zodiac signal is canine and you’ve got blood sort A, you’re prone to be additional sincere and frank. When you’ve got blood sort B and your zodiac signal continues to be a canine, then you’re as a substitute additional persistent.
If you happen to’d prefer to study extra about blood sort compatibility, the educational web site Yoyo Chinese language posted an article with good explanations and audio clips.
What About Zodiac Parts and Attributes?
Typically, folks agree on fastened attributes. The standard philosophy of 風水 (fēng shuǐ), which means “wind-water,” decide the yin and yang attributes of every Chinese language zodiac signal. These attributes break up based on the variety of your animal’s hooves or claws.
If the ensuing quantity is odd, the animal signal is yang. If the ensuing quantity is even, the animal signal is yin. 太極 (tài jí), higher identified in English as “Tai Chi,” refers to order within the universe when the opposites (yin and yang) unite.
The “5 phases” or 五行 (wǔ xíng) of the Chinese language zodiac are additionally fastened. They clarify how vitality flows within the universe between the classical components of wooden, fireplace, earth, steel, and water. Individuals who follow Feng Shui use this data to reorder vitality to assist others or make cures.
To search out out what your factor is, first decide the final variety of your beginning yr.
In case your beginning yr ends in a…
- 0 or 1 – Your factor is steel.
- 2 or 3 – Your factor is water.
- 4 or 5 – Your factor is wooden.
- 6 or 7 – Your factor is fireplace.
- 8 or 9 – Your factor is earth.
Discuss About Your Western Zodiac Signal
The Chinese language zodiac receives extra consideration than the Western zodiac, however the Western zodiac nonetheless has its place in Chinese language tradition.
Western zodiac indicators comply with the Gregorian calendar and rotate month-to-month. Written as 星座運勢 with conventional characters or 星座运势 with simplified characters, western-style horoscopes referred to as xīng zuò yùn shì help constellations.
Capricorn
Chinese language Phrase: 摩羯 (mó jié)
Which means: “scour gelded ram”
Date of Beginning: December 22 – January 19
Traits: sincere, dependable, detached, and affected person
Aquarius
Chinese language Phrase: 寶瓶 (bǎo píng)
Simplified Chinese language: 宝瓶 (bǎo píng)
Which means: “treasure bottle”
Date of Beginning: January 20 – February 18
Traits: eloquent, pleasant, observant, and personal
Pisces
Chinese language Phrase: 雙魚 (shuāng yú)
Simplified Chinese language: 双鱼 (shuāng yú)
Which means: “double fish”
Date of Beginning: February 19 – March 20
Traits: light, honest, frank, and devoted
Aries
Chinese language Phrase: 白羊 (bái yáng)
Which means: “white sheep/goat”
Date of Beginning: March 21 – April 19
Traits: decisive, willful, robust, and idealistic
Taurus
Chinese language Phrase: 金牛 (jīn niú)
Which means: “gold bull”
Date of Beginning: April 20 – Could 20
Traits: secure, cautious, cussed, and expressive
Gemini
Chinese language Phrase: 雙子 (shuāng zǐ)
Simplified Chinese language: 双子 (shuāng zǐ)
Which means: “double little one”
Date of Beginning: Could 21 – June 21
Traits: alert, stressed, complacent, and witty
Most cancers
Chinese language Phrase: 巨蟹 (jù xiè)
Which means: “large crab”
Date of Beginning: June 22 – July 22
Traits: considerate, variety, light, and decided
Leo
Chinese language Phrase: 獅子 (shī zǐ)
Simplified Chinese language: 狮子 (shī zǐ)
Which means: “lion”
Date of Beginning: July 23 – August 22
Traits: variety, upright, brilliant, and spontaneous
Virgo
Chinese language Phrase: 室女 (shì nǚ)
Which means: “room lady”
Date of Beginning: August 23 – September 22
Traits: perfectionist, clever, mysterious, and restrained
Libra
Chinese language Phrase: 天秤 (tiān chèng)
Which means: “sky scale”
Date of Beginning: September 23 – October 23
Traits: balanced, honest, vigorous, and noble
Scorpio
Chinese language Phrase: 天蠍 (tiān xiē)
Simplified Chinese language: 天蝎 (tiān xiē)
Which means: “sky scorpion”
Date of Beginning: October 24 – November 22
Traits: sensible, clever, emotional, and enduring
Sagittarius
Chinese language Phrase: 人馬 (rén mǎ)
Simplified Chinese language: 人马 (rén mǎ)
Which means: “human horse”
Date of Beginning: November 23 – December 21
Traits: detailed, opinionated, optimistic, and peaceable
Discussing Your Zodiac Indicators in Chinese language
Now, let’s follow a dialog involving the zodiac indicators!
You might be out sightseeing along with your buddy 可欣 (kě xīn), and also you two are looking for garments that go well with her. You might be each having a tough time selecting good garments, so that you resolve to search for some that showcase constructive character traits.
The ensuing dialog, written with conventional Chinese language characters, goes:
You:
可欣，你的生肖究竟属什么？
Kě Xīn, nǐ de shēng xiào jiū jìng shǔ shén me?
“Kexin, what zodiac animal do you truly belong to?”
Kě xīn:
我属鼠。
Wǒ shǔ shǔ.
“I belong to the rat.”
You:
老鼠通常是善良而樂觀的。
Lǎo shǔ tōng cháng shì shàn liáng ér lè guān de.
“Rats are often kind-hearted and in addition optimistic.”
也許我們可以嘗試一些淺色的東西?
Yě xǔ wǒ males kě yǐ cháng shì yī xiē qiǎn sè de dōng xī?
“Possibly we will attempt some light-colored issues?”
Kě xīn:
也許。
Yě xǔ.
“Possibly.”
Phrasebook for Zodiac Signal Conversations
How about discussing the Chinese language zodiac indicators extra casually or extra formally? Or asking about somebody’s zodiac signal another way? How do you ask about subsequent yr’s zodiac animal or somebody’s beginning yr?
Learn the phrases beneath!
你的属相是什么？
Nǐ de shǔ xiàng shì shén me?
“What’s your zodiac animal?”
我的属相是。。。
Wǒ de shǔ xiàng shì…
“My zodiac animal is…”
你属什么？
*Nǐ shǔ shén me?”
“What do you belong to?”
2017年是鸡年。
2017 nián shì jī nián.
“2017 is the yr of the rooster.”
2023是兔年。
2023 shì tù nián.
“2023 is a rabbit yr.”
明年是什么年？
Míng nián shì shén me nián?
“What yr is subsequent yr?”
龍年。
Lóng nián.
“Dragon yr.”
今年是我的本命年。
Jīn nián shì wǒ de běn mìng nián.
“This yr is my origin-of-life yr.”
A lot of folks have devoted their lives to learning Chinese language astrology through the years. In consequence, Chinese language astrology is a large topic that covers matters comparable to relationship compatibility and fortunes.
Listed below are some vocabulary phrases that will enable you to navigate the Chinese language astrological world:
- 陰陽論 (yīn yáng lùn) – yin-yang principle; expresses the concept that “opposites stability on this world”
- 六合 (liù hé) – most appropriate pairs
- 三合 (sān hé) – subsequent most appropriate indicators
- 星座 (xīng zuò) – constellation; horoscope
- 地支 (dì zhī) – the unique time period for the Chinese language zodiac indicators; means “earthly branches”
- 血型 (xuè xíng) – blood sort
- 五行属性 (wǔ xíng shǔ xìng) – 5 factor attribute
- 水 (shuǐ) – water
- 木 (mù) – wooden
- 火 (huǒ) – fireplace
- 土 (tǔ) – earth
- 金 (jīn) – steel
- 算命 (suàn mìng) – fortune telling
- 預測 [traditional] / 預測 [simplified] (yù cè) – to forecast; to foretell
Chinese language New Yr Traditions
The Chinese language New Yr offers you an opportunity to follow what you’ve discovered in regards to the Chinese language zodiac indicators. It additionally brings you yearly duties and enjoyable actions, comparable to cooking rice, worshiping ancestors, and shopping for New Yr items. It’s additionally necessary to verify the kids keep keen to assist and benefit from the celebrations.
After I taught world cultures to center college college students, we studied continents, international locations, and nations. After we moved on to Chinese language cultural traditions, college students of all ages wished to assist and participate within the new yr celebrations any means they may.
For instance, they embellished the room, cooked conventional meals, and practiced Chinese language calligraphy. Nonetheless, they favored dragon dances, lantern festivals, cooking, and fireworks. If you happen to’re concerned about wishing somebody a contented lunar yr in Chinese language, discover out extra right here.
Youthful ages take pleasure in flipping by way of pop-up books and visiting temples when given the possibility. Older youngsters usually love the Chinese language zodiac indicators and studying in regards to the historical past of joss paper. Strive introducing it to them as “ghost cash,” and see their faces mild up.
Harry’s Kitchen in Hong Kong affords nice parent-child baking challenges for those who’re concerned about exploring conventional Chinese language meals. Even for those who’re not in Hong Kong, it’s changing into simpler to seek out substances wherever you’re on the planet because of on-line buying websites and unique shops.
How Do the Chinese language Zodiac Indicators Have an effect on Me?
Chinese language zodiac indicators are a giant a part of lunar new yr celebrations, however their contributions aren’t restricted to actions and self-discovery. Your Chinese language zodiac signal can affect how others see you and the way you see your self, so some indicators are extra desired than others. As a consequence of superstition, the dragon is extra most well-liked whereas the goat is much less favored.
But, an historic saying goes “不坐没有老鼠的船” (bù zuò méi yǒu lǎo shǔ de chuán) which implies “don’t go on a ship with out rats.” This refers to how folks born within the yr of the rat often have nice foresight. Legend additionally states that the moon goddess Chang’e stored a pet rabbit – the Jade Rabbit – as a result of solely it was selfless sufficient to earn a spot by her facet.
So what’s the underside line? Every zodiac signal has its personal benefits and drawbacks. We’re all completely different, and it takes a crew to make the world work in any case!
However the subsequent time you’re speaking in regards to the Chinese language zodiac indicators, you’ll be able to impress Chinese language locals along with your deep data of astrology.
新年快樂!
Xīn nián kuài lè!
Comfortable New Yr!
