Chinese Zodiac Symbols and Meanings

The Chinese Zodiac does not follow equivalent constellations. The zodiac symbols represent twelve different personalities. In Chinese astrology, the zodiac symbols are assigned by year Chinese Zodiac signs are sub-divided into inner animals (representing months of the year) and secret animals (representing each hour of the day). This enables the 12 basic animal signs to be interpreted in 8,640 possible combination's!

Interpretations and Meanings of Chinese Zodiac Signs

Traditionally, the Chinese Zodiac begins with the sign of the Rat. Each animal, alongside zodiac symbols written in Chinese, its represented human characteristics and personality traits are enlisted below:

Zodiac Symbol	Representation	Personality Traits/Meaning
	Rat	Forthright, systematic, industrious, eloquent, obstinate.
	Ox	Dependable, patient, ambitious, modest, materialistic.
	Tiger	Unpredictable, passionate, rebellious, impulsive, quick-tempered.
	Rabbit	Gracious, sensitive, amiable, artistic, opportunistic.
	Dragon	Vigorous, noble, dignified, decisive, grandiloquent.
	Snake	Wise, sensual, prudent, purposeful, mendacious.
	Horse	Quick-witted, perceptive, agile, intelligent, arrogant.
	Ram	Sincere, shy, creative, determined, pessimistic.
	Monkey	Motivating, inquisitive, sociable, competitive, manipulative.
	Rooster	Organized, conservative, alert, zealous, egotistical.
	Dog	Honest, loyal, amicable, idealistic, judgmental.
	Pig	Gallant, trusting, scrupulous, naive, self-indulgent.

Chinese Zodiac Symbols

The Chinese Zodiac meanings are derived from the Four Pillars. These are basically columns designed during the reign of the Han Dynasty between 206 BC and 220 AD. Each pillar represents a branch and relates to the hour, day, month and year of birth, for readings according to Chinese astrology. The first pillar represents the allotted element and animal of the specified year of birth, the second refers to the element and animal of the specified month, the third relates to the element and animal of the specified day, while the fourth denotes the element and animal of the specified hour of birth. While the year column offers information on ancestry, the month column relates to parentage, and the day and hour columns offer an insight into characteristics of a spouse and children, respectively. Each animal sign of the Chinese Zodiac is also linked with the traditional agricultural calendar. The zodiac is further interpreted by readings of the four animal trines:

• First: Rat, Dragon and Monkey.
• Second: Ox, Snake and Rooster.
• Third: Tiger, Horse and Dog.
• Fourth: Rabbit, Ram and Pig.

Each sign is subsequently linked to a season and any one of the five elements: Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal and Water. Each of the elements is again linked to one of the 5 major planets and special animal representation:

• Mercury-Water-Black Tortoise.
• Venus-Metal-White Tiger.
• Mars-Fire-Vermilion Bird.
• Jupiter-Wood- Azure Dragon.
• Saturn-Earth-Yellow Dragon.

The balance of the essential life-forces, yin and yang, is represented in the Chinese horoscope by a unique form of geomancy. Each of the elements represents a particular direction, season, color and parts of the body.

Wood

• Direction: East
• Season: Springtime.
• Color: Green.
• Internal organs: Liver, gallbladder.

Metal

• Direction: West.
• Season: Autumn.
• Color: White.
• Internal organs: Lungs, respiratory system.

Earth

• Direction: Center.
• Season: Transition periods.
• Color: Yellow.
• Internal organs: Spleen, stomach, digestive system.

Water

• Direction: North.
• Season: Winter.
• Color: Black.
• Internal organs: Kidneys, skeletal framework, excretory system.

Fire

• Direction: South.
• Season: Summer.
• Color: Red.
• Internal organs: Heart, circulatory system.

Across the orient, it is common to see different animal substitutes for different original representations. For example:

• The Vietnamese zodiac replaces the ox with a water buffalo, cat instead of rabbit and sheep instead of ram.
• The Japanese zodiac uses the wild boar instead of the pig.
• The Thai zodiac replaces the dragon with a serpent.
• In Kazakhstan, a snail substitutes the dragon and a leopard replaces the tiger.

How to Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

The Chinese Zodiac follows a twelve year cycle. Based on your year of birth, personality traits and the special element-trine combination can be worked out:

• Rat: 1900, 1912, 1924...
• Ox: 1901, 1913, 1925...
• Tiger: 1902, 1914, 1926...
• Rabbit: 1903, 1915, 1927...
• Dragon 1904, 1916, 1928...
• Snake: 1905, 1917, 1929...
• Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930...
• Ram: 1907, 1919, 1931...
• Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932...
• Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933...
• Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934...
• Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935...

The Chinese zodiac signs are popularly used and interpreted in other oriental and occidental cultures too. Animal stamps and banner are released each year to honor the animal and personality traits associated with each year.