Chinese Zodiac

Some Information About The Chinese Astrology Calendar

The solar and lunar calendars are both incorporated in the Chinese astrology calendar. However it is best to remember that it is not only China that uses this calendar but many Asian cultures. The western Gregorian calendar is the one that people in Asia use every day but the Chinese one is still used for many things.

There are many different names that people call the Chinese astrology calendar. The Xia calendar is one of these names and refers to the fact that in the Xia dynasty the year started on the second new moon. The Yin calendar is another name. This name refers to the fact that this calendar has lunar elements in it.

There are a number of rules that outline the workings of this calendar. These rules have been in place 104 BCE. One of the rules is that all the months are lunar months meaning they start on the day of the dark moon. There will also be 12 months in every year with an intercalary month in every second or third year. Another rule is that the sun will always pass the winter solstice in the 11th month of the year.

Many people believe that this calendar has a 12 year cycle but this is not the case. In fact the complete cycle is 60 years of five 12 year cycles. The 12 years in the cycle are named after the Chinese zodiac animals. Legend dictates that this comes from when Lord Buddha summoned the animals to say goodbye when he left the Earth. Of all the animals only 12 came and they were rewarded with having years named after them. The sequence of the years relates to the order they appeared before him.

In the 60 year cycle there are actually two cycles which are working together. The first cycle is that of the 10 heavenly stems. These are in fact the 5 elements in their yin and yang form. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water and will appear in that order.

The second cycle is the zodiac cycle. This is made up of the 12 animals of the zodiac which are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. It should be noted that in Vietnam the cat replaces the rabbit.

The Chinese astrology calendar has more to it than simply the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. It is a combination of the lunar and solar calendar as well as many other things.

Chinese Zodiac 12 Animals Symbols