The Chinese zodiac, known as shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/, ‘born resembling’), is made up of 12 animals. The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig are the animals in order.
At Chinese New Year (in January/February), the Chinese zodiac years begin and end. Each year of the 12-year zodiac cycle is symbolized by a zodiac animal, each with its own set of purported characteristics.
People in China believe that a person’s horoscope, personality, and love compatibility are all linked to his or her Chinese zodiac sign, which is decided by his or her birth year.
You can learn everything there is to know about the Chinese zodiac, including how to determine your Chinese zodiac sign and horoscope.
In This Article...
What is the spirit animal of Ophiuchus?
Were you born between the 30th of November and the 18th of December?
On your birthday, the sun will most likely pass in front of the constellation Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer.
I’m almost expecting to hear someone say:
You’re entirely correct. Because Ophiuchus is a constellation rather than a zodiac sign, this is the case. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between astrological signs and astronomical constellations, when and where to look for Ophiuchus, the deep-sky gems it holds, its mythology, science, and more.
Signs versus constellations
On August and September evenings, the Serpent Bearer stands tall in the south to southwest sky from Northern Hemisphere latitudes. Ophiuchus is closer to above from the Southern Hemisphere. Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpionis, is also close by.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) drew up the official boundary lines for all 88 constellations in the 1930s. Rasalhague, Ophiuchus’ brightest star, and Antares, Scorpius’ brightest star, are labeled in the photo below of the constellation Ophiuchus. Rasalhague is a bright star that marks Ophiuchus’ head, although it pales in comparison to Antares, the star that depicts the Scorpion’s beating heart.
Ophiuchus is in a bad way. Despite the fact that the ecliptic passes through him, no one ever claims him as a birth sign. After all, the zodiac band stretches 8 degrees north and south of the ecliptic, with a total width of 16 degrees. The constellations aren’t evenly distributed along this area in our sky, either. Everyone who reads astrological advice online is familiar with the zodiac signs. There are 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and so forth. However, there is no Ophiuchus.
However, the moon and planets pass through Ophiuchus on a regular basis. Likewise, the sun. From roughly November 30 to December 18, the sun is in front of Ophiuchus.
Around November 21, or anytime the sun is exactly 30 degrees west of the December solstice point, the sun is said to enter the sign of Sagittarius. On the December 21 solstice, the sun enters the sign of Capricorn. So, regardless of the sun shining in front of the constellation Ophiuchus from November 30 to December 18, the sun passes through the sign Sagittarius for the month leading up to the December solstice.
By the way, in around 72 years, the December solstice point advances one degree westward in front of the zodiacal constellationsor backdrop stars. By the year 2269, the December solstice point will have finally moved into the constellation Ophiuchus.
When and where to locate Ophiuchus
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is the ideal time to see Ophiuchus (Southern Hemisphere winter). Late July and early August in the Northern Hemisphere show this constellation high in the southern sky during twilight and early evening. On fall evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, it can be visible in the southwest sky.
This relatively large constellation lies to the north of Scorpius the Scorpion and to the south of Hercules the Hero in the sky. If you’re familiar with the brightest star in Scorpius, Antares, try star-hopping to Ophiuchus from this crimson beauty. The star Rasalhague appears on Ophiuchus’ skull (Alpha Ophiuchi).
In tradition and in the sky, Ophiuchus is associated with the Serpent constellation.
If you have a dark sky, you might notice that this is one constellation that looks exactly how it should: a large man holding a snake.
Ophiuchus is derived from two Greek words that signify serpent and holding.
Deep-sky objects in Ophiuchus
Take your binoculars and scan Ophiuchus, which is in the Milky Way’s band and hence offers many deep-sky wonders.Ophiuchus, for example, has numerous globular clusters. M10 and M12 are the two simplest globular clusters to see with conventional binoculars, as seen in the chart above. They seem as weak puffs of light via binoculars, but with a telescope, you can see these globular clusters for what they are. They’re massive stellar metropolis with hundreds of thousands of stars that span a hundred to a few hundred light-years in diameter.
The Pipe Nebula, a massive interstellar cloud of gas and dust spreading across nearly 7 degrees of sky, is another big deep-sky favorite. That’s about the width of three to four fingers at arm’s length. This dark nebula is located in southern Ophiuchus at a distance of 600 to 700 light-years and can be viewed with the naked eye in a dark, transparent sky. The Pipe Nebula is located to the east of Antares and to the north of Shaula and Lesath. These two stars (but not the Pipe Nebula) are depicted on the chart above.
Ophiuchus in myth and star lore
Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the Greek deity of medicine and doctors, in Greek mythology. He is always shown with a large serpent or snake in his hand. A snake’s venom can either kill or cure, depending on how it’s utilized. Asclepius is claimed to have manufactured a healing elixir from Serpens the Serpent’s venom, Gorgon’s blood, and an unknown herb. Until the god of the underworld, Pluto, appealed to the king of the gods, this potion granted humanity immortality. Pluto urged Zeus to rethink the consequences of death’s death.
We have no idea how Pluto made his case. Maybe he just said that what never lives never dies, and that no mortal can have one without the other. Sophocles may have summed up the myth’s core theme when he said:
It is preferable to die and sleep the never-waking slumber than to live after the soul’s life has passed.
In his Four Quartets, poet T.S. Eliot may have mirrored the notion of the ever-living story:
We perish in the company of the dying:
We are born with the dead in our midst:
In any case, according to legend, Zeus seized the elixir, exiled Asclepius from Earth, and enshrined the great physician in the celestial realms. Today, the Staff of Asclepius, a symbol of the World Health Organization and other medical organizations, pays homage to this myth and mirrors the magnificent celestial shape of Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer constellation.
Ophiuchus in history and science
A supernova explosion of a star within our own Milky Way galaxy hasn’t been seen in almost 400 years. However, in the year 1604, a supernova known as Kepler’s Supernova blasted into the scene, allowing for 18 months of naked-eye sight. It sparkled in the southern hemisphere of Ophiuchus, not far from the Pipe Nebula.
Tycho’s Supernova, which lighted up Cassiopeia in 1572, was followed by Kepler’s Supernova in 1604. The Aristotelian notion of an unchangeable world outside the orbit of the moon was shattered by these supernovae, which sent shock waves through Europe’s elite. Tycho Brahe measured the 1572 supernova’s parallax, proving that it was not an atmospheric phenomenon. In reality, the supernova flashed well beyond the orbit of the moon. Shortly after, in 1604, Kepler’s Supernova seemed to hammer home the point once more.
Furthermore, in 1577, Tycho Brahe estimated the distance of a comet and discovered that it was also farther away than the moon. Aristotelians wanted to believe comets were gases burning in the atmosphere, but Tycho disproved Aristotle’s unchanging universe theory once more.
Bottom line: For nearly two weeks each year, the sun passes through the constellation Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer, making Ophiuchus an unofficial member of the zodiac. Learn the difference between astrological signs and astronomy constellations, as well as how to find Ophiuchus.
What animal is the birth animal for the year 2020?
Traditional Chinese chronology is related with the Chinese zodiac, which is a 60-year calendrical cycle made up of the 12 Earthly Branches (12 words corresponding to 12 animals, months, and hours) and the 10 Heavenly Stems. The Rat, according to this, signifies the Earthly Branch Zi and the hours of midnight (11pm1am). Furthermore, a Rat is Yang in the Chinese Yin and Yang theory. If you were born in January or February of one of the years listed above, you may be a Rat or a Pig.
What is the Chinese astrological sign for the year 2021?
The Ox’s most significant years are now 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, and 1937. Every 12 years, an Ox year occurs. In the Chinese Zodiac, the zodiac sign Ox is positioned second.
What animal represents each of the 12 zodiac signs?
Astrology is undoubtedly one of the oldest ideologies still practiced in China. Some say it’s almost 3,000 years old, but a recent analysis of more esoteric ideas places it even further back in human history’s murky past. Astrology has been used to foretell what would happen to countries, the result of battles, economic trends, and much more since ancient China.
The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 signs, each of which represents a different animal. According to one Chinese mythology, the semi-mythical Yellow Emperor created the animal signs in 2637 B.C. According to another tradition, before departing from Earth, the Lord Buddha summoned all of the animals to come to him. Only 12 creatures came to say their goodbyes. As a reward, he named each of them a year after the other, in the order in which they arrived. The Rat was the first animal to appear, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. As a result, we now have 12 indicators.
These 12 Animal Signs, each with its own year in the cycle, form the basis of the Chinese horoscope. Your life is profoundly influenced by the animal ruling year in which you were born. “This is the animal that hides in your heart,” the Chinese say.
THE PIG
With immense inner power, he is studious and gallant. Will not back down from his objectives. Quiet, yet always up to date. He has a small circle of friends, but he is always nice, affectionate, and devoted. Rabbits and lambs are both compatible with this product. If the Pig’s instincts are followed, the rest of the year will be fruitful in terms of fortune and luck.
THE DOG
The best qualities of human nature are possessed by those born in the Year of the Dog. They have a strong sense of loyalty, are trustworthy, and inspire others’ trust through knowing how to keep secrets. Dog People, on the other hand, are somewhat egotistical, obstinate, and quirky. They don’t care about money, yet they constantly appear to have it. At parties, they might be emotionally cold and aloof. They have a tendency to criticize everything and are known for their sharp tongues. Dog owners make excellent leaders. They get along with people born in the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit years.
THE ROOSTER
People born in the Year of the Rooster are capable, talented, and insightful thinkers. They enjoy being busy and are dedicated beyond their skills, and they are devastated if they fail. People born in the Year of the Rooster are frequently quirky, and their relationships with others are sometimes strained. They are constantly convinced that they are correct, and they are generally correct! They are typically loners, and despite their outward appearance of adventure, they are shy. The emotions of Roosters, like their fortunes, swing from high to low. They can be egotistical and outspoken, but they are always fascinating and courageous. They get along best with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.
THE MONKEY
The erratic geniuses of the cycle are those born in the Year of the Monkey. They are incredibly innovative and original, and they can solve the most difficult difficulties with ease. Clever, skilled, and adaptable, they are remarkably inventive and original, and they can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few disciplines in which Monkeys would fail, but they have an unsettling propensity of being overly nice. They want to get things done right away, and if they can’t get started right away, they feel disheartened and abandon their tasks. Despite their ability to make decisions, they have a tendency to look down on others. Monkeys are intelligent, have a strong drive for information, and have exceptional memories. Monkeys have a strong will, but their rage dissipates rapidly. They get along best with the Dragon and Rat.
Is Ophiuchus an uncommon species?
Aries is the second rarest zodiac sign, followed by Sagittarius, both of which are fire signs, according to Stardust.
According to Stardust, the first sign of the zodiac is Aries, which has a spark of creativity that “gets everyone going and moving.” According to Stardust, Sagittarius, the third rarest zodiac sign, “falls during the autumn season and are renowned to be adventurous and free-spirited.”
Is Ophiuchus a bad fairy tale character?
Ophiuchus is a vicious individual who enjoys hurting healthy people, as proven by her recurrent torturing of Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla with various medical tools. She also displays a smidgeon of arrogance, claiming to be the “administration” of Astral Spirytus and using her position to try to put Natsu down. When she assumes her actual form, however, she becomes much more serious and mysterious, and adopts an awful, dark tone that is dramatically different from her nurse image.
She ends her statements in her nurse persona with the suffix “-densu,” which is derived from the term “nurse.”
What year does the metal Rat belong to?
The Chinese zodiac is based on the traditional five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, and rotates through a 12-year cycle of animals. The Year of the Metal Rat is 2020. The rat is thought to herald in a period of new beginnings because it is the first animal in the cycle. Those born in the year are thought to be intelligent, quick-witted, adaptable, and outgoing. The lunar new year occurs on January 25, 2020, and kicks off the Spring Festival season, which lasts until the nightfall of the Lantern Festival, fifteen days later. The ancient Chinese way of counting years, which dates back to 1000 BCE, is based on Jupiter’s sixty-year revolution around the sun (known as the “year star”).
Is 2021 the Year of the Rat a lucky year?
The year 2021 is an Ox year, and the fortunes of Rat people (those born in a Rat year) are quite fortunate. The fortunes of Rat individuals will be extremely smooth since the zodiac Rat and the zodiac Ox have a favorable relationship. Rats can obtain aid from others this year, regardless of whether they are having challenges in their employment or education.
The good career luck, on the other hand, means that Rats’ workload will expand. Due to high-intensity employment and academic pressure, those born under the sign of the Rat must be cautious about their health in 2021.
Rat people’s emotional lives will be relatively steady this year, despite the lack of romantic luck. With other areas of luck usually good, Rat people’s emotional lives will be relatively stable. Rats can be happy as long as they are their natural selves.
CareerRats’ 2021 Horoscope
Rats’ professional prospects are gradually improving in 2021, and there will be several options for advancement. Even if they are briefly perplexed and powerless, there will be those who can guide them.
As a result, Rats, if you confidently allow your hands and feet to work hard this year while not worrying about your head, you should be able to seize favorable opportunities on time.
Dominant and invigorating lucky colors for 2021: white, gray and silver
Metal, the major element of the Chinese year 2021, represents resistance, collective interests, determination, and persistence, according to Chinese astrology and Feng Shui. Metal is more closely associated with incisiveness, instinct, money, independence, and wealth in the Yin polarity. White, gray, and gold are the hues most typically associated with the Metal element, according to Wu Xing’s teachings. The gray and silver tones, on the other hand, represent the Metal element in its Yin form.