Chinese Calendar and Horoscope
The traditional Chinese calendar is no longer the most important calendar system in China. Though there is still a minority among the locals who count their days according to the old calendar, most modern day Chinese people have adopted the Western way of marking dates for their everyday activities. The Chinese calendar, however, is not exactly obsolete, as cultural festivities which are exclusively celebrated by the Chinese are still dated according to it. Moreover, it is the primary astrological reference for determining auspicious dates for important events such as weddings or groundbreaking ceremonies.
The Chinese calendar was developed around 3000 BC by the first Emperor of China, Huang Di. And it had served as the official calendar system for the Chinese people until 1912 when the Western calendar was used as the official business calendar. Since the dates of both calendars do not coincide, it was quite necessary that the traditional calendar be used to date events which are of great cultural significance to the Chinese. At such, traditional festivities which date back to before 1912 will still adhere to the old system of calendaring.
Considering that the Chinese calendar is based on the chronological representations of the movements of the sun and the moon, it bears certain similarities to the Western way of determining the magnitude of time. For example, the Chinese also divide a year into twelve months, with full knowledge that it is made up of 365.25 days. However, due to the complications in the calculation for leap years, they count a year as 353-355 days and they make it up by assigning an entire extra month to a leap year. There are altogether 7 leap years every 19 years.
Instead of counting the years as infinitely progressive or regressive as in AD or BC, every year in the Chinese calendar is given a name for reference, which will be repeated after a 60-year cycle. These 60 years are first of all divided into 5 equal elemental periods, namely, metal, water, wood, fire and earth. Within each of these periods, 12 animals are used to represent each year, and they collectively make up what we commonly refer to as the signs of the Chinese Horoscope.
Chinese Horoscope
As the legend goes, a Chinese Emperor had once invited all the animals in the forest to have an audience with him, but only twelve animals showed up. He honored their obedience by naming a year after each of these animals. Therefore, the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese horoscope was born, and ever since, it has had tremendous influence on the Chinese community, whether in personality or destiny.
Rat (1984, 1996, 2008...)
The Rat is the first animal of the Chinese Horoscope. If you are born under this sign, it means that you are charming, opportunistic, humorous and meticulous, while you can also be greedy and petty in certain ways. Blessed with a passionate attitude and shrewdness for planning, you are marked for success in whatever you heartedly endeavor. However, complacency and lack of self-control may be your downfall.
Compatible with: Dragon, Monkey.
Ox (1985, 1997, 2009...)
The Ox is a most diligent and peace-loving character, with an appreciation for things natural. With a stubborn and unique perspective of the world, you are most of all at peace with your own opinions. However, you are also liable to sudden bursts of tempers and can be ferociously competitive, especially when your will is challenged. Oxen make long-lasting friends because they are trustworthy and easy-going.
Compatible with: Rabbit, Pig.
Tiger (1986, 1998, 2010...)
The Tiger possesses great leadership and courage. Guided by an insatiable hunger for success, you seldom disappoint when expected to accomplish a certain task. While your confidence can lead you to success, it can also be the cause of your defeat. A Tiger person is passionate and domineering, and most people will succumb to your leadership because of your abilities. Nonetheless, your major weakness is probably your over-sensitivity which can be easily exploited.
Compatible with: Dog, Horse, Monkey.
Rabbit (1987, 1999, 2011...)
The Rabbit represents true kindness and compassion. Being a delicate person, you have a profound appreciation for the finer things in life. With an acute sense of discernment, it is natural that you are cautious and fastidious when it comes to decision-making. Though you are calm and self-confident, you are overtly expressive of your emotions when confronted with sentimental issues. Rabbits are mostly conservative, and they do not wish to entertain new possibilities in life.
Compatible with: Dog, Monkey.
Dragon (1988, 2000, 2012...)
The Dragon is the symbol of heavenly blessing and authority. With confidence in the providence of fate, you are bound to be an idealistic person, even to the point of perfectionism. You possess tremendous talents and leadership qualities which combine to give you extraordinary success in your career. Dragons can be extremely egoistic and they accord great importance to things such as rank, wealth and prestige. As a result, they can be easily irritated and lose focus in their pursuits.
Compatible with: Rat, Rabbit, Pig, Monkey.
Snake (1989, 2001, 2013...)
The Snake has good instincts and intelligence. As a subtly charming character, you can attract and convince your peers without being outspoken or demanding. However, your tendency to exaggerate and lie may cause your peers to desert you when they come to terms with your true face. Most snakes have an intellectual or philosophical aptitude because they are natural thinkers. They are also great seducers.
Compatible with: Rooster, Ox, Horse.
Horse (1990, 2002, 2014...)
The Horse is a hardworking and cunning character. While your work ethics are often excellent and you are well loved for your consistency, you have an innate desire to break free from any regular commitments. You are a rebellious and self-centered individual with wild dreams of standing out from the crowd and making a name for yourself. Horses are impatient and unpredictable, and consequently, they may get into trouble because of their impulsiveness.
Compatible with: Dog, Tiger, Sheep, Snake.
Sheep (1991, 2003, 2015...)
The Sheep is blessed with elegance and great skills. Those born under this sign are usually very creative individuals, with a deep love for nature. You are very endearing to your peers because you are well-mannered and charming, though they may feel slighted by your bossy ways. A Sheep person is also timid, and would most likely shy away in the face of confrontation.
Compatible with: Horse, Dragon.
Monkey (1992, 2004, 2016...)
The Monkey is a cheerful and clever character. With tremendous energy and wit, you have an uncanny ability to make the most boring things seem exciting and turn the tides in problematic situations. Your sense of humor and social skills make you the center of attention in most gatherings and it should be no surprise if you become famous. Despite taking pleasure in attracting people, monkeys are indifferent to opinions other than their own.
Compatible with: Rat, Tiger, Pig, Ox.
Rooster (1993, 2005, 2017...)
The Rooster represents dignity and romanticism. Blessed with an extraordinary ability to convince people, you will never be short of followers. You present yourself in a very respectable manner, and even when you are quiet, you display a subtle intelligence that is both dramatic and charming. Roosters are usually self-righteous to the point that they are mindless of other people’s feelings.
Compatible with: Ox, Snake.
Dog (1994, 2006, 2018...)
The Dog is perhaps the most amiable of all the animals. As a person with good sense of judgment, you have the ability to discern the worthiness of another person’s character based on first impression. Upon committing yourself to a certain relationship, you will be loyal to the very end, no matter how disappointing it turns out to be. Dogs are also very generous and compassionate, and they will most likely lend a hand when their friends are in trouble.
Compatible with: Tiger, Horse.
Pig (1995, 2007, 2019...)
The Pig is a diligent and self-indulgent character. Although you are surrounded by opportunities, you will mostly miss out on them because of your self-indulgence. You possess great courage but do not care too much to show it. Pigs are rather enigmatic in the sense that their desires and actions are usually contradictory.
Compatible with: Rabbit, Snake.