As I write this in 2023, it\u2019s the Year of the Rabbit, at least in Chinese culture. If you thought Western astrology was complicated, then you haven\u2019t yet heard of Chinese astrology. It is a beautiful classification system with a repeating cycle of 12 years according to the Chinese calendar. Every zodiac year or \u2018ben ming nian\u2019 is represented by i) an animal, ii) yin and yang energy, iii) and the 5 Chinese zodiac elements \u2014 Earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. <\/p>\n
Today, we\u2019ll try to unravel how Chinese culture uses animals as zodiacs. \u201cWhat is my zodiac animal and how does it affect my future and personality?\u201d \u2014 We\u2019ll answer all of this, and more.<\/p>\n
12 Animal Signs In The Chinese Zodiac Year \u2014 And The \u2018Great Race\u2019<\/h2>\nWhat are the 12 zodiac sign animals in the Chinese horoscope? Before that, let\u2019s talk about what makes the Chinese system of zodiac signs more complex than the Western one. As we talked about, a person\u2019s \u2018shengxiao\u2019 (\u2018sheng\u2019 is the year of birth, \u2018xiao\u2019 means resemblance) combines the following: The five elements mentioned above, the 12 animals mentioned below, and the concepts of yin-yang<\/a>. This combination predicts their individual personality and prospects. Also, there are lucky years or days (or unlucky) for crops, relationships, to ward off evil spirits, etc. This classification system based on zodiac animals has been adopted in the human history of many Asian countries. <\/p>\nHowever, today, we will only talk about one of the elements: The animals. Here are the 12 animals that represent the Chinese zodiac, in the right order. Each represents a different set of personality traits and Chinese zodiac story.<\/p>\n
\n- Rat<\/li>\n
- Ox (or bull)<\/li>\n
- Tiger<\/li>\n
- Rabbit<\/li>\n
- Dragon<\/li>\n
- Snake<\/li>\n
- Horse<\/li>\n
- Goat (or sheep)<\/li>\n
- Monkey<\/li>\n
- Rooster<\/li>\n
- Dog<\/li>\n
- Pig<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nRelated Reading: <\/strong>10 Signs You Are In A Spiritual Relationship With Someone<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nAt the root of this system where animals are associated with birth years, there are many versions of origin stories. One of them is more popular in Chinese culture. Once, an emperor declared \u2018The Great Race\u2019 of animals. The order in which the animals finished the Jade Emperor\u2019s race would determine their chronology in the 12-year cycle. A piece of trivia is that the rat cheated, hence winning first place in the rotation. And the cat drowned because of the rat, hence the forever enmity between cats and rats across all human history, as well as between cats and water.<\/p>\n
Find out your real animal sign according to the Chinese zodiac system<\/h3>\nThe Chinese zodiac year starts with Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid-February. Are you curious to know what zodiac animal is related to your birth year? \u201cWhat is my zodiac animal in Chinese culture? What\u2019s my Chinese zodiac sign if I was born in ____?\u201d If these are your questions, our image of the zodiac cycle would have helped a bit. But we have something better for you. Here is a Chinese zodiac sign calculator<\/a> for your question: \u201cWhich Chinese zodiac animal sign am I?\u201d Happy fortune-telling!<\/p>\nDifference Between Western Astrology And Chinese Astrology<\/h2>\nYou might think, \u201cThere\u2019s a Cancer zodiac animal \u2013 The crab. There are other animal signs in Western astrology too, like the ram and the scorpion which help predict zodiac sign compatibility<\/a>. So, what\u2019s the difference between Western astrology and Chinese astrology?\u201d Here it is: <\/p>\n\n- The Western system is dependent on planetary shifts and positions of constellations while Chinese astrology is dependent on the year you were born, yin-yang, and the five elements<\/li>\n
- In Western astrology, personality traits are divided into 12 \u2013 According to the 12 months of the year. In Chinese astrology, personality traits are divided into 12 as well \u2013 But according to a 12-year repeating zodiac cycle where every year belongs to one birth year<\/li>\n
- Western astrology does have animals signifying certain astrological signs \u2013 Like the zodiac animal for Cancer is a crab, the zodiac animal for Capricorn is a sea-goat, the Aries animal is the ram, etc. But it\u2019s a division of zodiac animal signs by month, whereas in the other, it\u2019s by year<\/li>\n
- There are zodiac signs in Western astrology that don\u2019t have an assigned animal like there\u2019s no Aquarius animal or Libra zodiac animal. However, Chinese people grow up believing that every zodiac and every year is related to an animal, and each of them is associated with certain personality types and fortunes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nRelated Reading:<\/strong> Happily Ever After: The Perfect Zodiac Pairs for Marriage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBut there are many other belief systems too. Take the Celtic Tree Astrology; it believes that human personalities are associated with different species of trees. The Celtic zodiac signs are thus formed of 12 trees, like birch, ivy, holly, etc. This is a great reminder that all cultures have a unique cosmic or nature-driven significance attached to human birth.<\/p>\n
Why Is Your Zodiac Sign Important For You To Know?<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re on your spiritual path or a believer of astrology, and you wish to know what your zodiac animal is, then look no further \u2013 we\u2019ve put together several reasons that this knowledge can be an important and rewarding milestone for you. As research<\/a> points out, humans share their more ancient brain regions with animals. Knowing that humans and animals exist in an equal realm helps \u201cdismantle the illusion of human exceptionalism.\u201d<\/p>\nKnowing about your zodiac animal can be beneficial to you in the following ways:<\/p>\n
\n- You get an in-depth insight into your core personality, characteristics, and overall vibe<\/li>\n
- You become conscious of your patterns and get to know the positives and negatives of your zodiac sign characteristics<\/a>. This helps you accept your flaws as well as work on them<\/li>\n
- You can relate to these creatures about your inner desires and spiritual energy<\/li>\n
- You can surrender to them for strength, love, comfort, and hope during dark\/dangerous situations. It can offer you deep lessons\/secret messages<\/li>\n
- Zodiac animals are considered to be good omens. Spotting them helps you feel grounded and reassured<\/li>\n
- Knowing that some social creature out there shares the same passion as you makes you feel less alone<\/li>\n
- Some people believe that zodiac animals protected our ancestors by providing them with healing and wisdom; they also helped predict the future<\/li>\n
- It gives you a sense of resonance with others who have similar personality traits as you and helps you understand people from other signs better too<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
12 Animal Signs Of Chinese Astrology<\/h2>\nIn the Chinese horoscope, what is the animal of every zodiac? Let\u2019s find out the unique human traits of these Chinese zodiac animals so you understand yourself and your partner even better. If you resonate with these traits and think your partner is your soulmate<\/a>, do let us know. If you don\u2019t relate to these at all, then have fun reading anyway!<\/p>\n1. Rat \u2013 The primal zodiac animal in Chinese astrology<\/h3>\n![\"zodiac](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/rat-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/ox-800x448.jpg\")
![\"chinese](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tiger-800x448.jpg\")
![\"chinese](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Rabbit-800x448.jpg\")
![\"chinese](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/dragon-800x448.jpg\")
![\"chinese](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/snake-800x448.jpg\")
![\"chinese](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/horse-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/goat-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/monkey-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/rooster-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/dog-800x448.jpg\")
![\"what](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pig-800x448.jpg\")
![\"Zodiac\"](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Zodiac-4.jpg\"\/)
![\"Zodiac\"](\"https:\/\/www.bonobology.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Zodiac-4.jpg\")
However, today, we will only talk about one of the elements: The animals. Here are the 12 animals that represent the Chinese zodiac, in the right order. Each represents a different set of personality traits and Chinese zodiac story.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Rat<\/li>\n
- Ox (or bull)<\/li>\n
- Tiger<\/li>\n
- Rabbit<\/li>\n
- Dragon<\/li>\n
- Snake<\/li>\n
- Horse<\/li>\n
- Goat (or sheep)<\/li>\n
- Monkey<\/li>\n
- Rooster<\/li>\n
- Dog<\/li>\n
- Pig<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Related Reading: <\/strong>10 Signs You Are In A Spiritual Relationship With Someone<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
At the root of this system where animals are associated with birth years, there are many versions of origin stories. One of them is more popular in Chinese culture. Once, an emperor declared \u2018The Great Race\u2019 of animals. The order in which the animals finished the Jade Emperor\u2019s race would determine their chronology in the 12-year cycle. A piece of trivia is that the rat cheated, hence winning first place in the rotation. And the cat drowned because of the rat, hence the forever enmity between cats and rats across all human history, as well as between cats and water.<\/p>\n
Find out your real animal sign according to the Chinese zodiac system<\/h3>\n
The Chinese zodiac year starts with Chinese New Year, which ranges from late January to mid-February. Are you curious to know what zodiac animal is related to your birth year? \u201cWhat is my zodiac animal in Chinese culture? What\u2019s my Chinese zodiac sign if I was born in ____?\u201d If these are your questions, our image of the zodiac cycle would have helped a bit. But we have something better for you. Here is a Chinese zodiac sign calculator<\/a> for your question: \u201cWhich Chinese zodiac animal sign am I?\u201d Happy fortune-telling!<\/p>\n
Difference Between Western Astrology And Chinese Astrology<\/h2>\n
You might think, \u201cThere\u2019s a Cancer zodiac animal \u2013 The crab. There are other animal signs in Western astrology too, like the ram and the scorpion which help predict zodiac sign compatibility<\/a>. So, what\u2019s the difference between Western astrology and Chinese astrology?\u201d Here it is: <\/p>\n
- \n
- The Western system is dependent on planetary shifts and positions of constellations while Chinese astrology is dependent on the year you were born, yin-yang, and the five elements<\/li>\n
- In Western astrology, personality traits are divided into 12 \u2013 According to the 12 months of the year. In Chinese astrology, personality traits are divided into 12 as well \u2013 But according to a 12-year repeating zodiac cycle where every year belongs to one birth year<\/li>\n
- Western astrology does have animals signifying certain astrological signs \u2013 Like the zodiac animal for Cancer is a crab, the zodiac animal for Capricorn is a sea-goat, the Aries animal is the ram, etc. But it\u2019s a division of zodiac animal signs by month, whereas in the other, it\u2019s by year<\/li>\n
- There are zodiac signs in Western astrology that don\u2019t have an assigned animal like there\u2019s no Aquarius animal or Libra zodiac animal. However, Chinese people grow up believing that every zodiac and every year is related to an animal, and each of them is associated with certain personality types and fortunes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Related Reading:<\/strong> Happily Ever After: The Perfect Zodiac Pairs for Marriage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
But there are many other belief systems too. Take the Celtic Tree Astrology; it believes that human personalities are associated with different species of trees. The Celtic zodiac signs are thus formed of 12 trees, like birch, ivy, holly, etc. This is a great reminder that all cultures have a unique cosmic or nature-driven significance attached to human birth.<\/p>\n
Why Is Your Zodiac Sign Important For You To Know?<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re on your spiritual path or a believer of astrology, and you wish to know what your zodiac animal is, then look no further \u2013 we\u2019ve put together several reasons that this knowledge can be an important and rewarding milestone for you. As research<\/a> points out, humans share their more ancient brain regions with animals. Knowing that humans and animals exist in an equal realm helps \u201cdismantle the illusion of human exceptionalism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knowing about your zodiac animal can be beneficial to you in the following ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You get an in-depth insight into your core personality, characteristics, and overall vibe<\/li>\n
- You become conscious of your patterns and get to know the positives and negatives of your zodiac sign characteristics<\/a>. This helps you accept your flaws as well as work on them<\/li>\n
- You can relate to these creatures about your inner desires and spiritual energy<\/li>\n
- You can surrender to them for strength, love, comfort, and hope during dark\/dangerous situations. It can offer you deep lessons\/secret messages<\/li>\n
- Zodiac animals are considered to be good omens. Spotting them helps you feel grounded and reassured<\/li>\n
- Knowing that some social creature out there shares the same passion as you makes you feel less alone<\/li>\n
- Some people believe that zodiac animals protected our ancestors by providing them with healing and wisdom; they also helped predict the future<\/li>\n
- It gives you a sense of resonance with others who have similar personality traits as you and helps you understand people from other signs better too<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
12 Animal Signs Of Chinese Astrology<\/h2>\n
In the Chinese horoscope, what is the animal of every zodiac? Let\u2019s find out the unique human traits of these Chinese zodiac animals so you understand yourself and your partner even better. If you resonate with these traits and think your partner is your soulmate<\/a>, do let us know. If you don\u2019t relate to these at all, then have fun reading anyway!<\/p>\n
1. Rat \u2013 The primal zodiac animal in Chinese astrology<\/h3>\n