| Chinese Zodiac Calendar |
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The very first thing you have to understand about the Chinese Zodiac calendar is that it is not based the same as the Western calendar. The 12 phases of the year are based on the lunar months and the beginning of each coincides with the appearance of the New Moon. This means that if you were born in early January or February, you need to double-check the date of the Chinese New Year for your birth year because it’s possible you actually were born under the previous year’s sign. For example, those born in 2005 are usually considered to be born in the Year of the Rooster. However, if you were born before February 9, 2005 you actually were born in the Year of the Monkey because of how the Chinese New Year falls. At its simplest, the Chinese zodiac calendar is divided into a 12-year cycle. Each year corresponds to an animal in the Chinese zodiac. The cycle begins with the Year of the Rat, and then follows the zodiac order: Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (Goat,) Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig (Boar.) However, the zodiac also adds in five elements that are associated with five planets: wood (Jupiter), metal (Venus), earth (Saturn), fire (Mars), and water (Mercury). With these added, the zodiac calendar actually follows a 60-year cycle. Elements, Yin, and Yang are used to further identify each year. So the Year of the Yin Fire Ox was in 1937 and 1997, exactly 60 years apart. This 60-year calendar is used, along with the positions of the sun and moon, directions, Yin, Yang, and a person’s date and time of birth to help see their future. Together, these factors help to make up a person’s inner and outer self. They determine the person’s personality, compatibility, and even whether or not they will be lucky in life. The Chinese zodiac calendar tells a lot more than just an animal sign and basic traits and to use it to fully understand yourself and others, you must learn to understand the relationship everything has. |