China has a history and mythology that shaped its culture in a specific way and its history made it a great place to visit. If you are planning to visit China, it is useful to know some things about the culture and the Chinese Zodiac is a big part of it. You probably know something about the signs, but most people do not know that their horoscope is a part of an important legend. In this article, you will be able to learn about the zodiac signs, their history, and uses.
The History of the Chinese Zodiac
There are various theories that surround the history of the Chinese horoscope, hence it is quite impossible to know when it all began. Animals of the zodiac were found on artifacts that date back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD.). The creation of the zodiac is also connected to the Silk Road. To put it simply, it is believed that the animals in the horoscope were brought to China by Buddhist by the Silk Road. However, not everyone agrees on this. Some experts believe that the astrology of China existed before the arrivals of Buddhists.
Img source: tcmworld.org
As you might have noticed, the exact history of the Chinese zodiac is not really clear, however, the folk tale about its origin is quite interesting. The tale says that the Jade Emperor or Buddha invited all of the animals to be a part of the calendar, but only the first twelve to arrive would be chosen. The order of the animals is the order of their arrival at the palace: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, chicken, dog, and the pig.
How is the Chinese Zodiac determined?
The horoscope we use today is based on the Sun’s movement, however, Chinese astrology is based on the lunar year. While you need to know the day and month of your birth to determine your sign in the regular zodiac, the Chinese zodiac is a bit tricky, and it is connected to the year of the birth. The zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle in which each year is related to a specific animal. For example, 2018 was the Year of the Dog. Previous years of the Dog were 1970, 1994, 2006, etc. According to the Thechinesezodiac, it does not necessarily mean that it will be your lucky year, rather that there will be an obstacle or challenge that you need to conquer in order to prove yourself. The Chinese New Year does not have an exact date, however, it does usually fall between January 21st and February 20th.
Img source: pixfeeds.com
The Zodiac Uses
The first thing you will notice when you visit China is that their traditions are present in all aspects of life. The zodiacs have a lot of uses, and some of them include:
1. To know and understand a person’s personality
2. To check how compatible you are with someone before getting married
3. To politely ask someone what is their age
4. Postage stamps
5. Accessories and fashion
6. Art and themes for paper cutting
7. Festivals
Conclusion
The Chinese zodiac is interesting and mysterious at the same time. It is deeply connected to every part in China and it is useful to learn some basic things if you want to travel, live, or work in the country. You should consider your zodiac sign as a spiritual identity card.
