Chinese Astrology, Ming shu (or Zhàn xīng xué 占星学), follows a twelve year cycle. According to a Chinese legend, one New Year Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to present themselves before him. Only 12 animals turned up. First of all came Rat, followed by Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and last of all Pig. In gratitude Buddha decided to name each year after each animal, in addition each person who was born in that year would inherit some characteristics and personality of that animal.
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According to the Chinese Fortune Telling calendar, the New Year begins with the first full moon in February, otherwise known as the Chinese New Year. Thus, even though the New Year is marked as starting on the 7th February 2008 (6th February in the USA), for fortune-telling purposes it is considered to begin on the 4th February 2008 (3rd February in the USA). Consult the table below to find out which year you were born in. January birthdays usually count as the year before. It may be inaccurate if you were born in February as the New Year changes according to the lunar calendar. (Note: In 1995, the year of the Pig began on 31st January.) 2001 was the Year of the Metal Snake, also called the Golden Snake. If you need more info try Chinese New Year Dates to look up other dates. More information about the current Chinese year can be found at: Chinese Fortune Calendar. 2010 The Year of the Metal Tiger or the Year of the White Tiger (sometimes also called the Golden Tiger) starts on the 14th February 2010 and ends on the 2nd February 2011. Although this volatile year brings dramatic upheavals, hard work and sustained effort also brings about many positive economic results and financial improvements. It is easier this year to set plans in motion, and once those plans are in motion you will find that progress will be faster than in the last year, and results will become more quickly evident. Even though this year will be tumultuous, competitive and aggressive, this energy will lead to many big problems being unexpectedly resolved. This year will prove challenging for those born in the year of the Monkey or the Snake, whereas those born in the year of the Sheep, Horse, Dog, Tiger, Ox and Dragon will find it easier to get new projects off the ground. See more years (2011-2020) ... 2009 The Year of the Earth Ox or the Year of the Brown Ox starts on the 26th January 2009 and ends on the 13th February 2010. This year is a far more conservative year which spotlights traditions and values. Prosperity is reached through fortitude, patience and plain hard work. Get rich schemes won't work, frivolity and outrageousness are out. Diligence, perseverence, stability and growth are in. This is a time to reap what you have sown. If you haven't already, 2009 is the year to sow the seeds for future success and prosperity. The downside of the year of the Ox is that you will encounter a certain amount of stubbornness, inflexibility and lack of tact. 2008 The Year of the Earth Rat or the Year of the Brown Rat starts on the 7th February 2008 (6th Feb in the USA) and ends on the 25th January 2009 (24th Jan in the USA). For fortune-telling purposes this year begins on the 4th February. This year will bring many good opportunities and prospects. This year will be full of productive Rat energy. You can expect professional success and wealth this year, although people under the sign of Horse, Sheep and Rooster may find success requires very careful management and planning, and will bring some stress. All in all, this year is relatively free of troubles and turbulence of past years, and brings many new opportunities for you to shine. From www.cnbc.com/id/23027866 6 Feb 2008: "He (Raymond Lo, a feng shui master in Hong Kong) predicts stock markets will be soft this year as the elements of earth and water, which he says are strong in the Year of the Rat, weaken the fire element that influences shares. 'The water element affects the fire of the markets. I can foresee a lot of correction in the stock market,' said Koh (Vincent Koh, a feng shui master at Singapore Feng Shui Centre)." 2007 The Year of the Fire Pig or the Year of the Red Pig starts on the 18th Feb 2007 (17th Feb in the USA) and ends the 6th Feb 2008. This year brings many natural and man-made calamities. International and personal issues flare up and go quickly out of control. A lot of dangerous issues behind the scenes will fuel sudden dramatic events. Political turmoil, political unrest, even sudden takeovers and wars can be expected. In the natural world, floods and large scale water damage are also highlighted. But on the more positive side, these conflicts will also bring about new beginnings in international relationships and in the broader social order. New regimes with new governments will spring up. The Year of the Pig also stimulates travel. 2006 The Year of the Fire Dog or the Year of the Red Dog starts on the 29th January 2006. For fortune-telling purposes this year begins on the 4th February (3rd February in the USA). This year will bring upheavals as well as the search for understanding and peace. Disruptions in the earth itself can be expected — earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and the destructive consequences of wild weather. This year puts issues of justice and injustice high on the agenda. People start questioning what is right and demanding more truth and fairness. Issues of spirituality and other religious and philosophical questions become important. Financially, though, this is not a good year to over spend or over-extend yourself. 2005 The Year of the Wooden Rooster or the Year of the Green Rooster starts on the 9th February 2005 (8th February in the USA). For fortune-telling purposes this year begins on the 4th February. Family and family interests are the number one priority of this year. This will also be a great year for creative ambitions and projects, as long as they are also have a strong, practical base. This year will bring big changes, new inventions and brand-new directions. Partnerships and joint ventures bring success. This year will also showcase the emergence of new talents. Violent arguments and disputes are possible this year, especially if there are continuing problems spilling over from 2004. Now is the time to try to resolve them. And remember to stay humble and helpful... don't fall into the Rooster trap of arrogance and cockiness! |
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2004 The Year of the Green Monkey or the Year of the Wooden Monkey starts on the 22nd January 2004 (or 4th February for fortune telling purposes). This will be a year of ups and downs and instabilities in many areas. Risks and gambles will seem very attractive and many will pay off in a spectacular fashion. There will be conflicts and heated disputes in the world arena. Many of these conflicts will be hidden and motivated by revenge. Movement and changes abound. But ultimately this is also a year for learning from your mistakes and moving on to brighter prospects. It is a time for new beginnings and for sowing the seeds of peace.
2003 The Year of the Black Sheep or the Year of the Black Goat started on the 1st February 2003. The Sheep Year will bring more harmony, tranquillity and understanding into the world. Many people may find they suffer badly economically in 2003. Events and affairs may appear to progress slowly and in a disorganised manner, leading many to worry and pessimism. However, family and friends will be more important. On a brighter note, this is the year for indulging your whimsical side and artistic nature. If there are any conflicts remaining from the last year, now is the perfect time to find harmony and resolution. Because 2003 is the last year of the fire cycle, it is called a "corner year" in Chinese astrology, which means it can be an unpredictable and changing year.
2002 The Year of the Black Horse or the Year of the Water Horse started on the 12th February 2002 (11th February 2002 in the US). The Horse Year brought sudden political developments that had far-reaching consequences. In the economical arena, there was a tendency towards wiide ranging plans and expansionist policies. Big advances occured in the field of the media and the communications industry. The Horse Year encouraged new, bold and exciting developments. This was the year for launching plans and acting out your dreams. Those who made an effort and who had a pioneering spirit will have gone far this past year.
Further details can be found at Holy Mountain's Chinese Year Chart.
2011 The Year of the Metal Rabbit 2 Feb 2011 - 22 Jan 2012.
2012 The Year of the Water Dragon 23 Jan 2012 - 9 Feb 2013.
2013 The Year of the Water Snake 10 Feb 2013 - 30 Jan 2014.
2014 The Year of the Wood Horse 31 Jan 2014 - 18 Feb 2015.
2015 The Year of the Wood Sheep 19 Feb 2015 - 7 Feb 2016.
2016 The Year of the Fire Monkey 8 Feb 2016 - 27 Jan 2017.
2017 The Year of the Fire Rooster 28 Jan 2017 - 15 Feb 2018.
2018 The Year of the Earth Dog 16 Feb 2018 - 4 Feb 2019.
2019 The Year of the Earth Pig 5 Feb 2019 - 24 Jan 2020.
2020 The Year of the Metal Rat 25 Jan 2020 - 11 Feb 2021.
Sheep is also known as Goat or Ram. Sometimes the euphemism "Little Dragon" is used for Snake. Rabbit is also known as Cat in Vietnam. A full list of the years is given below.
In addition, each year is said to be ruled by one of the five elements: Wood (creativity, Mù), Fire (stimulation, Huǒ), Earth (stability, Tǔ), Metal (valour, Jīn) and Water (communication, Shuǐ). These elements bear great influence in a full intricate Chinese horoscope.
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The meanings of the animals
RAT PERSONALITY — Shǔ
OX PERSONALITY — Niú
TIGER PERSONALITY — Hǔ
RABBIT PERSONALITY — Tù
DRAGON PERSONALITY — Lóng
SNAKE PERSONALITY — Shé |
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HORSE PERSONALITY — Mǎ
Sociable, sporty, talkative, a tyrant (especially if born 1906 or 1966).
HORSE YEAR
Year of political stability and strengthening your position. Travel. Be careful of wastefulness.
SHEEP PERSONALITY — Yáng
Selfless, affectionate, kind, artistic, craftsman, diplomatic.
SHEEP YEAR
Year of peacemaking and humanitarian issues, true romance, reconciliation.
MONKEY PERSONALITY — Hóu
Inventive, quick-witted, mischievous, unscrupulous, versatile, full of ideas and talk.
MONKEY YEAR
Instability, broken promises and political squabbling. Year of restlessness
and currency fluctuations. Good for speculation.
ROOSTER PERSONALITY — Jī
Determined, proud, confident, abrasive, frank. Often takes on too much. Honest and efficient.
ROOSTER YEAR
Year when career is more important than the home. Sacrifices and disappointments in love.
Nationalistic feelings rise and extremism.
DOG PERSONALITY — Gǒu (or Quǎn)
Loyal, honest, steady worker, conservative, defensive, stubborn, excellent friend, sportive
crusader.
DOG YEAR
Year for conservatism and defence. Good for property and making adjustments to plans.
Good for health.
PIG PERSONALITY — Zhū
Home loving, natural, generous, over-indulgent, caring, industrious, willing to see
a project through.
PIG YEAR
Good year for family gatherings and issues. Good year to finish off projects successfully. Not
good for expansion.
The Chinese month
The Months also have associated animals (the First Month is roughly February):
First Month = Tiger
Second Month = Rabbit
Third Month = Dragon
Fourth Month = Snake
Fifth Month = Horse
Sixth Month = Sheep
Seventh Month = Monkey
Eighth Month = Rooster
Ninth Month = Dog
Tenth Month = Pig
Eleventh Month = Rat
Twelfth Month = Ox
The Chinese Hour
The hour you were born also has animal associations (remember to adjust for daylight savings). The Chinese day begins at
11 pm so if you were born between 11pm and midnight count yourself as having been born the next day:
11pm - 1am = Rat
1am - 3am = Ox
3am - 5am = Tiger
5am - 7am = Rabbit
7am - 9am = Dragon
9am - 11am = Snake
11am - 1pm = Horse
1pm - 3pm = Sheep
3pm - 5pm = Monkey
5pm - 7pm = Rooster
7pm - 9pm = Dog
9pm - 11pm = Pig
| Rat | 1936 | 1948 | 1960 | 1972 | 1984 | 1996 | 2008 | Ox | 1937 | 1949 | 1961 | 1973 | 1985 | 1997 | 2009 | Tiger | 1938 | 1950 | 1962 | 1974 | 1986 | 1998 | 2010 | Rabbit | 1939 | 1951 | 1963 | 1975 | 1987 | 1999 | 2011 | Dragon | 1940 | 1952 | 1964 | 1976 | 1988 | 2000 | 2012 | Snake | 1941 | 1953 | 1965 | 1977 | 1989 | 2001 | 2013 | Horse | 1942 | 1954 | 1966 | 1978 | 1990 | 2002 | 2014 | Sheep | 1943 | 1955 | 1967 | 1979 | 1991 | 2003 | 2015 | Monkey | 1944 | 1956 | 1968 | 1980 | 1992 | 2004 | 2016 | Rooster | 1945 | 1957 | 1969 | 1981 | 1993 | 2005 | 2017 | Dog | 1946 | 1958 | 1970 | 1982 | 1994 | 2006 | 2018 | Pig | 1947 | 1959 | 1971 | 1983 | 1995 | 2007 | 2019 |
The Chinese Zodiac around Asia:
| Year | Mandarin | Mandarin alternative | Cantonese | Japanese | Vietnamese | Korean | Tibetan |
| Rat | Shǔ | Zǐ | Syú | Ne (Nezumi) | Chuột | Chui | Byi |
| Ox | Niú | Chǒu | Ngàuh | Ushi | Trâu | So | Glang |
| Tiger | Hǔ | Yìn | Fú | Tora | Cọp | Ho rang i | Stag |
| Rabbit | Tù | Mǎo | Tou | U (Usagi) | Thỏ (Rabbit) Mèo (Cat) | T'o ggi | Yos |
| Dragon | Lóng | Chèn | Lùhng | Tatsu | Rồng | Yong | Hbrug |
| Snake | Shé | Sì | Sèh | Mi (Hebi) | Rắn | Paem | Sprul |
| Horse | Mǎ | Wǔ | Máh | Uma | Ngựa | Mal | Rta |
| Sheep | Yáng | Wèi | Yèuhng | Hitsuju (Jihitsuji) | Dê | Yo | Lug |
| Monkey | Hóu | Shēn | Hàuh | Saru | Khỉ | Wŏn jung | Sprel |
| Rooster | Jī | Yǒu | Gài | Tori | Gà | Tark | Bya |
| Dog | Gǒu (or Quǎn) | Xǖ | Gáu | Inu | Chó | Kae | Khyi |
| Pig | Zhū | Hài | Jyù | Wi or I (Inoshishi) | Heo | Twae | Phag |
If you are interested in learning more about Chinese astrology, I can recommend these books:
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