An Introduction to Chinese Astrology

An Introduction to Chinese Astrology

People have always looked to the stars for meaning and direction; however, not all systems of astrology are the same. Chinese astrology is very different to the Western form, with many concepts not found in our traditions – which means it can offer a different perspective.

Much like Western astrology, the Chinese system can be viewed on a number of levels; personalised horoscopes can be drawn taking into account the season, day and hour of the subject’s birth, but at an introductory level most will simply look at the zodiac sign one was born under.

chinese zodiac animals iStock

Like Western astrology, there are twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac; unlike Western astrology, each rules for an entire year. This is not based on the Gregorian calendar we use on a daily basis, but instead on the Chinese Lunar Calendar; the date of the Chinese New Year shifts slightly each year, and in 2016 falls on Monday February 8th, ushering in the Year of the Monkey.

In addition to the cycle of zodiac signs, Chinese astrology includes a cycle of the five elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – each of which applies for one year in its Yin form, and one year in its Yang form. Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey and Dog are always Yang, embodying the active principle; Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Goat, Rooster and Pig are always Yin, embodying the passive or reactive principle.

To determine what this means for you as an individual, you merely need to know what sign and element you were born under, and this can be found on the tables at the end of this post.

The approaching Chinese New Year will be Yang Fire Monkey.

Monkey - iStock_000010131411_Medium

The Meanings

Each of the Chinese Zodiac signs has its own personality, as follows:

Rat: Intelligent, quick-witted and adaptable, Rats are often charming, social and artistic individuals.

Ox: The Ox is strong, loyal and determined, a reasonable individual with a steady and thorough approach.

Tiger: Tigers are enthusiastic, ambitious leaders, oozing with confidence and charisma.

Rabbit: The trustworthy Rabbit is a modest and sincere person, empathic, sociable and caring.

Dragon: The Dragon is a lucky type; they tend to be charismatic, artistic, spiritual and imaginative – albeit sometimes a little eccentric.

Snake: Snakes tend to be intelligent and intuitive; they are well organised and often elegant in appearance.

Horse: The adventurous Horse is a loyal, courageous and ambitious individual who is well able to adapt to their situation.

Goat: Sometimes also called the Sheep, this is a sensitive, charming and intuitive person, often calm and elegant, with distinct creative abilities.

Monkey: The bright and lively Monkey is a smart, quick-witted and charming type – they are often lucky and very versatile.

Rooster: The confident and flamboyant Rooster is often an energetic, intelligent and honest person.

Dog: As you would expect from Man’s best friend, the Dog is loyal, courageous, sociable and smart, with a steady, diligent approach to tasks.

Pig: Sometimes also called the Boar, this type is optimistic and determined, with an honourable and sincere attitude. They are quite sociable, and can often tend to be generous.

These characteristics are enhanced or complemented by the elemental attributes:

Wood: Benevolence | Fire: Propriety | Earth: Honesty | Metal: Righteousness | Water: Wisdom

Using Chinese astrology is just one way of gaining insight into your personality, attitude towards life and destiny. It can be used to complement other methods, such as Western astrology and various forms of divination. If you are seeking such an insight, you can call me and my team for a psychic phone reading on one of the numbers at the top of the page. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter

Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

1972 – 2019

Rat Feb 07 2008
(Earth)
Feb 19 1996
(Fire)
Feb 02 1984
(Wood)
Feb 15 1972
(Water)
Ox Jan 26 2009
(Earth)
Feb 07 1997
(Fire)
Jan 22 1985
(Wood)
Feb 03 1973
(Water)
Tiger Feb 14 2010
(Metal)
Jan 28 1998
(Earth)
Feb 09 1986
(Fire)
Jan 23 1974
(Wood)
Rabbit Feb 03 2011
(Metal)
Feb 16 1999
(Earth)
Jan 29 1987
(Fire)
Feb 11 1975
(Wood)
Dragon Jan 23 2012
(Water)
Feb 05 2000
(Metal)
Feb 17 1988
(Earth)
Jan 31 1976
(Fire)
Snake Feb 10 2013
(Water)
Jan 24 2001
(Metal)
Feb 06 1989
(Earth)
Feb 18 1977
(Fire)
Horse Jan 31 2014
(Wood)
Feb 12 2002
(Water)
Jan 27 1990
(Metal)
Feb 07 1978
(Earth)
Goat Feb 19 2015
(Wood)
Feb 01 2003
(Water)
Feb 15 1991
(Metal)
Jan 28 1979
(Earth)
Monkey Feb 08 2016
(Fire)
Jan 22 2004
(Wood)
Feb 04 1992
(Water)
Feb 16 1980
(Metal)
Rooster Jan 28 2017
(Fire)
Feb 09 2005
(Wood)
Jan 23 1993
(Water)
Feb 05 1981
(Metal)
Dog Feb 16 2018
(Earth)
Jan 29 2006
(Fire)
Feb 10 1994
(Wood)
Jan 24 1982
(Water)
Pig Feb 05 2019
(Earth)
Feb 18 2007
(Fire)
Jan 31 1995
(Wood)
Feb 13 1983
(Water)

 1924 – 1971

Rat Jan 28 1960
(Metal)
Feb 10 1948
(Earth)
Jan 24 1936
(Fire)
Feb 05 1924
(Wood)
Ox Feb 15 1961
(Metal)
Jan 29 1949
(Earth)
Feb 11 1937
(Fire)
Jan 24 1925
(Wood)
Tiger Feb 05 1962
(Water)
Feb 17 1950
(Metal)
Jan 31 1938
(Earth)
Feb 13 1926
(Fire)
Rabbit Jan 25 1963
(Water)
Feb 06 1951
(Metal)
Feb 19 1939
(Earth)
Feb 02 1927
(Fire)
Dragon Feb 13 1964
(Wood)
Jan 27 1952
(Water)
Feb 08 1940
(Metal)
Jan 23 1928
(Earth)
Snake Feb 02 1965
(Wood)
Feb 14 1953
(Water)
Jan 27 1941
(Metal)
Feb 10 1929
(Earth)
Horse Jan 21 1966
(Fire)
Feb 03 1954
(Wood)
Feb 15 1942
(Water)
Jan 30 1930
(Metal)
Goat Feb 09 1967
(Fire)
Jan 24 1955
(Wood)
Feb 05 1943
(Water)
Feb 17 1931
(Metal)
Monkey Jan 30 1968
(Earth)
Feb 12 1956
(Fire)
Jan 25 1944
(Wood)
Feb 06 1932
(Water)
Rooster Feb 17 1969
(Earth)
Jan 31 1957
(Fire)
Feb 13 1945
(Wood)
Jan 26 1933
(Water)
Dog Feb 06 1970
(Metal)
Feb 18 1958
(Earth)
Feb 02 1946
(Fire)
Feb 14 1934
(Wood)
Pig Jan 27 1971
(Metal)
Feb 08 1959
(Earth)
Jan 22 1947
(Fire)
Feb 04 1935
(Wood)
Tony Hyland
tony@tonyhyland.com