There are 12 zodiac animals that depict the Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/, “born like”). They are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, listed in alphabetical order.
At Chinese New Year (in January or February), Chinese zodiac years begin and end. A zodiac animal, each with its own supposed traits, represents each year in the 12-year cycle of the zodiac.
Chinese people hold that a person’s Chinese zodiac sign, which is based on their birth year, is intimately related to their horoscope, personality, and love compatibility.
Here, you may learn everything there is to know about the Chinese zodiac, including how to determine your sign and your horoscope.
In This Article...
How can you determine your lunar sign?
Finding your moon sign is a little trickier than finding your sun sign, which can be done by using the date of your birth.
Your exact date, time, and place of birth are used to calculate your lunar sign, as well as your position in relation to the moon.
It travels fast through the zodiac, spending roughly two to two and a half days in each sign.
Your moon sign is probably different from your sun sign; for example, you may be a Taurus while having a lunar sign in Sagittarius.
A lunar sign is what?
Your moon sign is the zodiac sign that the moon was in when you were born. In contrast to your outwardly facing sun sign, it is the soul of your identity and a significant portion of your emotional side, which you may choose to keep hidden from others.
What is the rise in you?
Your rising or ascendant is the sign that was rising on the eastern horizon when you were born. It offers insight into your abilities, capabilities, and potential coping mechanisms for navigating life. It speaks to the image you present to the worldsome could even call the mask you wear. If you’ve ever thought that people don’t immediately see you as your sun sign, that’s probably because they’re noticing your rising.
What does rising sign and moon sign mean?
When it comes to astrology, you need to become familiar with the sun, moon, and rising stars.
The location of the sun at your birth determines which of the 12 zodiac signs you will fall under. Your emotional characteristics are represented by your moon sign, which is the zodiac sign in which the moon was when you were born. The birth chart’s houses are arranged in the following order depending on the rising sign:
- House of Self in the first house (ruled by Aries)
- House of Value: Second House (ruled by Taurus)
- House of Sharing in the Third House (ruled by Gemini)
- Fourth House: House of the Family and the Home (ruled by Cancer)
- House of Pleasure in the Fifth House (ruled by Leo)
- House of Health in the sixth house (ruled by Virgo)
- Balance resides in the seventh house (ruled by Libra)
- House of Transformation in the Eighth (ruled by Scorpio)
- House of Purpose in the Ninth (ruled by Sagittarius)
- House of Enterprise in the Tenth House (ruled by Capricorn)
- House of Blessings in the Eleventh (ruled by Aquarius)
- House of Sacrifice in the Twelfth House (ruled by Pisces)
What is the Virgo Moon?
You are likely to be naturally service-oriented, analytical, and practical if you were born with the Moon in Virgo. Because of your willingness to help others and your aptitude to solve problems, you have a remarkable capability to help others. You need to strike a balance between your mind and body if you want to be happy. You should know when to process information and when to unwind. By taking the basic steps that make your daily experiences more natural and orderly, you’ll likely find that moderation suits you best and puts you on the road to enjoying lifelong good health.
A lunar birthday is what?
Informant Details
TY is a senior studying computer science at Dartmouth College. She currently resides in Texas and is Chinese American. She is a single parent. Although she is familiar with traditional Chinese rites and customs partly because of her parents, who frequently inform her about Chinese customs, she feels Americanized in many of her habits. Her extended family is primarily Chinese.
Data in Context:
Chinese tradition uses a lunar calendar rather than a solar one. This lunar calendar serves as the foundation for the Chinese zodiac categorization system. In a repeating 12-year cycle, one animal and its corresponding characteristics are assigned to each year (ex: the year of the rabbit, the year of the rooster, etc.). One’s animal and accompanying characteristics, which are believed to represent their personality qualities, are determined by the lunar year of their birth. Noodles are a traditional meal that symbolizes longevity, and red is a color that has historically been linked to good luck in Chinese culture.
Social Context: TY’s Chinese parents taught her about this custom. Due to the significance of the lunar calendar and zodiac in Chinese culture, it is customary for one’s birthday to occur during the lunar year in which they were born every 12 years. Meals with one’s immediate and extended families are part of birthday celebrations for the lunar year. Instead of friends, family is the main focus of these gatherings. Even more significance is attached to turning 60. This birthday marks a significant turning point because it marks the start of a new decade and a lunar birthday. The passage into old age is commemorated by this birthday, and the birthday person is given thoughtful gifts.
Item:
The birthday person wears red for good luck and enjoys noodles at a festive supper with family on their lunar year birthday. The noodles are a representation of longevity and good health. At the event, people also eat things like sticky rice and bun pastries.
Describe the lunar birthday.
Informant Data
At Dartmouth College, TY is a senior studying computer science. She was born in China and now resides in Texas. It’s just her and her. She is familiar with traditional Chinese rites and customs primarily because of her parents, who frequently talk to her about Chinese customs, yet she feels Americanized in many of her habits. Her large family is based in China.
Added context:
Chinese tradition follows a lunar calendar as opposed to a solar one. On this lunar calendar, the Chinese zodiac categorization scheme is built. A repeating 12-year cycle assigns one animal and that animal’s characteristics to each year (ex: the year of the rabbit, the year of the rooster, etc.). One’s animal and related characteristics, which are believed to represent their personality traits, are determined by the lunar year of birth. Additionally, noodles are a traditional meal that represents longevity in Chinese culture, and red is a color that has historically been connected to good luck.
Social Context: TY’s Chinese parents informed her of this tradition. Due to the significance of the lunar calendar and zodiac in Chinese culture, every 12 years, a person’s birthday falls during the lunar year of their birth, which lends this birthday a unique significance. Meals with one’s family and extended relatives are part of the celebrations on one’s lunar year birthday. During these ceremonies, family is prioritized above friends. The 60th birthday is considerably more significant. Being a lunar birthday and the start of a new decade, this birthday marks a significant turning point. The celebration of this birthday marks the beginning of old age, and the birthday person is given thoughtful gifts.
Item:
A lunar-year birthday is celebrated with a feast with family, red clothing for good luck, and eating noodles. A long life and good health are represented by the noodles. At the event, food such as sticky rice and bun pastries are also consumed.