Guide to Chinese Astrology

Chinese Zodiac

The evolution of Chinese astrology is based on astronomy and traditional calendars. It is quite a complicated astrology and has a close relation with Chinese philosophy and culture. It is based on the sexagenarian cycle of 60 years that has been documented since the time of the Shang Dynasty at the latest. The cycle itself is constructed from another two cycles: the cycle of 5 elements that comprises fire, earth, metal, water, wood and the 12-year cycle of animals referred to as the Chinese zodiac. The birth-time of a person is considered to be the primary factor in determining the person’s personality.

Chinese Astrology - The Origin

Chinese astrology is so ancient that its exact origin is not known to us. Though there are many legends regarding the naming of the year after the animals. The legend that is mostly believed is that once Buddha invited all the animals to his kingdom but only 12 turned up. The animals were mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Buddha decided to name the year after each of the animals in their order of arrival. It is said that people born of that year would inherit the personality traits of that particular animal. It is also said that it was done empirically, meaning astrologers named the years after the animals by looking at human behaviour. It is also said that the system of the twelve year cycle of animal signs was built from observations of the orbit of Jupiter.

The Tradition

According to Chinese astrology, a person's destiny can be determined by the position of the major planets along with the positions of the Sun, Moon and comets and the person's time of birth and Zodiac Sign. Therefore, it is essential in China for every person to know under which animal sign he is born because they feel that no important steps of life should be taken without consulting first the Chinese Zodiac. In fact, couples were brought together in China according to their compatible signs.

Like any other astrology, the main purpose of Chinese astrology was fortune telling. Ancient Chinese astrologers also used their ability to correctly predict tides, seasons, and other things by looking at the stars and planets. But mainly they used it for farming, to know the proper time to plant and harvest crops. Many Chinese believed that everything was made up of the five elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. It was the balance of these elements and their positioning in a Chinese chart that enabled the astrologer to predict many things about a person’s personality and life.

Chinese astrology has “four pillars” based on the year, month, day and hour of birth by the help of which it predicts future. Even the switch over date for the zodiac signs is the Chinese New Year and not on January 1st as is usually found in Gregorian calendar. The Chinese method of fortune telling has its uniqueness and demands quite an amount of respect for it.

Unlike other astrologers, Chinese astrologers are not strict determinists. They do believe that a person’s time and place of birth set parameters and boundaries but they also acknowledge the person’s freedom within it though it might be influenced by certain factors such as “external forces” and “free will”.

Also it is noteworthy to see that Chinese astrologers base their calculations on the moon and its cycles, that is, on the lunar year. They take into consideration the year sign and also the month sign and the Chinese signs are designated by two Chinese characters like “Earth Tiger”. While one character designates the year’s element, the other designates its animal sign and they change from year to year.

Though Chinese astrology is regarded to be superstitious by many, it tries to seek harmony from every element and therefore emphasises on balance as it plays an important role not only in one’s life but also in Chinese philosophy and thought.