Each year in the lunar calendar is named after a Chinese mythology creature. Rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig are the zodiac animals that follow each other in a set order and are repeated every 12 years. The animals hold a race to decide their order in a folklore story that explains the cycle’s origins. The rat comes in first by hopping on the back of the ox, then leaping ahead at the last second. The tradition of matching an animal with a year in a 12-year cycle dates back to the Han period (201 BC 220 AD), and there are numerous legends and folktales around the 12 zodiac animals, which are frequently portrayed in East Asian art and design. In our collection, we have a series of Chinese figures that depict the zodiac animals with human bodies but animal heads. During the Tang era, this method of presenting them gained widespread (8th century).
What are the 12 signs of the moon?
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 intimately linked to his or her Chinese zodiac sign, which is decided by the year of birth.
Here you may learn everything there is to know about the Chinese zodiac, including how to determine your Chinese zodiac sign and horoscope.
How do I find out what my Chinese zodiac sign is?
Read about the remaining of your year of birth after you’ve divided it by 12. If the year’s number can be split without leaving a remainder, the remainder should be 0. Each of the remaining numbers corresponds to a different animal sign.