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The foundation of the Chinese Zodiac, was from the 12 "Earthly Branches" of the TREE OF LIFE represented by the 12 animal symbols
More than 3,000 years ago, KEMET people invented the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches for chronological and metaphysical purposes. These signs are used to designate the hours, days, months and years. However, since most people at that time were illiterate, the signs were difficult to use. Later, to make things easier to memorize, people used animals to symbolize the 12 Earthly Branches. The animals in order are the mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
The total cycle takes sixty years (created by multiplying the twelve animals and five elements) to complete -- to return to a year with the same animal sign and same element. The cycle of 60 counting system begins with Wood Rat and ends with Metal Boar.
As most people know, the Chinese Lunar cycle is not based on 12 linear months, as in the Western calendar, but on a 12-year repeating cycle. Each astrological animal symbol represents not a month, but a year. And again, unlike the Western calendar that is based upon the movements of the Sun, the Chinese astrological calendar has its deep and ancient roots in the movements of the Moon.
There are many myths and legends about how the 12 animals representing the 12 years in a lunar cycle came into being. One of the most popular is that the Lord Buddha called all the animals to come to him before departing this earth.
According to one legend, during a Chinese New Year celebration, Buddha invited all the animals to his kingdom, but unfortunately, for reasons only known to the animals, only 12 showed up.
The twelve animals in the cycle derive from a legend aboutBuddha who invited all the animals to join him for New Year's Day.
Actually the ox would have been the first to arrive but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived and therefore was first.
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Re: Origin of Chinese Zodiac
Mon, October 12, 2009 - 3:05 PM
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You probably already know that the Chinese zodiac used for Chinese horoscopes is based on twelve animal signs, one animal for each year in the twelve year Chinese calendar. You might also know that the Chinese typically ask your zodiac sign because they want to determine their zodiac compatibility potential with you in terms of business, friendship or even romantic relationships.
Because the planet Jupiter takes about one year to pass through a Western or Vedic astrology sign in the Heavens, you should know that each Chinese animal sign is roughly equivalent to the astrological meaning of planet Jupiter in one of the astrology signs of the Heavens. When Chinese are asking your animal sign, they're really computing a compatilbility test between your Jupiter and their Jupiter, though they don't really know that.
When Western astrologers talk about zodiac compatibility or love compatibility, they always talk about love signs matching, but these astrology signs refer to the solar month. These are the astrological signs for the month of birth, rather than year. When Chinese astrologers compute love compatibility, their simplest technique is to look at the animal signs of the years a couple were born under to see if those match. The month, in the simplest matching technique, is ignored.
The possibilities are that these animal signs can be opposite one another (not a good match), the same sign as one another (a conjunction), trine each other (a great match), or something else in-between. The 120 degree trine of Western astrology is found in Chinese fortune telling by the fact that each Chinese zodiac animal sign has two best friends with which it's most compatible, spaced four years apart.
That, in essence, is the basis of Chinese love compatibility, and how it differs from Western compatibility. But actually, Chinese astrology signs compatibility readings are much more complicated than that. Some Chinese zodiac animal signs are much more compatible with other signs than you'd expect. Dogs, for instance, tend to get along with lots of signs whereas Snakes have much more conflicts than is common.
The strength of the friendship or compatibility between the Rat, Dragon and Monkey is far stronger than the friendship between Tiger, Horse and Dog. -
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Re: Origin of Chinese Zodiac
Tue, October 13, 2009 - 6:50 PM -
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Re: Origin of Chinese Zodiac
Tue, October 13, 2009 - 6:53 PM
RAT
Those born in the year of the Rat are usually charming, quick-witted and intelligent - even charismatic. It is a very social sign; Rat people tend to be very talkative and are almost never found sitting quietly on their own. Be aware, however, that this affable front conceals a secretive, crafty and opportunistic personality.
Rat people are ambitious yet honest, prone to spend freely, seldom make lasting friendships. They can be quite greedy and calculative. Being perfectionists they can be difficult to work with, but their considerable talent may be enough to make up for it.
OX
Quiet and conservative, reliable and dependable; these are qualities that exemplify the Ox personality. People born in Ox years are very sure of themselves and are clear about their ambitions and what they want in life. They are bright, patient, and inspiring to others, and can be happy by themselves. They often rise to positions of authority easily, and make great leaders. Persistent and hard-working, they can stick to a task longer than most people.
Usually widely read and possessed of a brilliant intellect, they respect and respond to facts and genuine knowledge. Although Ox people are not particulary warm or sentimental, they are very caring and protective of their loved ones.
TIGER
The Tiger is one of the most dynamic signs of the Chinese Zodiac. People born in Tiger years are highly competitive, adventurous, and very confident in their own abilities - they are the sorts who can, and will, get things done. Tiger people are aggressive, courageous, candid and sensitive. Their towering passion, ambition and all-or-nothing attitude can take them all the way to the top in whatever they endeavour to do. They crave excitement and get bored easily.
Tigers fiercely stand up for what they believe in and for this, coupled with their courage and dedication, they are respected by both friend and foe.
RABBIT
Tactful, discreet and accommodating, Rabbit people are quite possibly the best dipolmats of the Chinese Zodiac. Always well groomed and well mannered, they can be depended upon to keep up appearances. Rabbits are happiest among friends and safely within their established social circles. Luckiest of all signs, Rabbit people are also talented and articulate.
Affectionate, yet shy, they seek peace throughout their lives. Seldom confrontational, they try their best not to offend anyone. They are excellent judges of character. These refined folk love good conversation, reading, and intellectual discussions.
DRAGON
This Dragon is probably the most flamboyant and vibrant of all the Chinese astrological signs. Highly confident and bold, Dragon people are born leaders, and usually do well in careers that give them a position of leadership. They have a keen sense of imagination, and often dream up wild schemes and ideas, most of which are not feasible. Dragon people are eccentric and their lives are complex. They have a very passionate nature and abundant health.
Fortunately for them however, Dragons seem to be endowed with good fortune, which saves them from making major mistakes and helps them to excel when they apply themselves correctly. On the downside, they often have huge egos and can be tactless, hot-headed, arrogant and quick-tempered.
SNAKE
Snake people are very shrewd and often achieve success through their wits. They are wise and intense with a tendency towards physical beauty. Snake people are discreet, restrained and refined. They never come across as pushy, and instead get their way through subtle manipulation. Cautious and intelligent, they possess analytical minds, but often also have a well-developed gut instinct.
There's an air of elegance and magnetism about Snakes that make them very attractive to the opposite sex. They are quite aware of their appeal, and thus can be rather vain and high tempered. Snakes enjoy flirting, but when it comes to their partners they are often possessive.
HORSE
People who are born in the Horse years are independent, outspoken and sociable. They never seem to run out of conversation. They love the great outdoors, and often enjoy athletic pursuits. There is a constant air of restlessness and impatience about them. Horse people are usually quite honest and principled. They are popular and attractive to the opposite sex.
Horse people are often ostentatious and impatient. They need people around. They reject dishonest behaviour and try to be straightforward in their dealings. However, they maintain a healthy ego too, and this can bring out their selfish side.
SHEEP
Sheep people are kind and gentle, intelligent and wise. They have a love for beauty, and are often artistic, cultured, elegant and well-read. Sheep people are usually very romantic and sensitive. If one is a Sheep's object of affection, it will be hard to resist their loving and caring demeanour. Sheep people are also often insecure deep down inside, and need to feel loved and wanted.
Elegant and creative, Sheep people are timid and prefer anonymity. They shy away from confrontation and are likely to give way to a more aggressive opponent in a disagreement just to keep the peace. They can be pessimistic and capricious at times.
MONKEY
The Monkey is universally perceived as being mischievous, and accordingly people born in the year of the Monkey have that characteristic inherently. They are very intelligent and are able to influence people. More than this, Monkey people are also ingenious, imaginative and resourceful, possessed of a keen intelligence. However, they have a tendency to be restless and rather superficial.
Monkey people are enthusiastic achievers, yet are easily discouraged and confused. Their natural flair for cunning ensures that they have the ability to slip out of a tight situation as quick as a flash when they feel threatened.
ROOSTER
People born in Rooster years are brash, passionate, honest and outspoken. They have a tendency to be too blunt for their own good, and this, coupled with disdain for those who don't share their own high ideals, make them appear abrasive and aggressive -- even rude -- to others. Rooster people are pioneers in spirit and are devoted to work and quest after knowledge.
They are diligent and efficient, typically succeeding in anything they set their mind on doing. Roosters are also very concerned about their appearance, and enjoy grooming and preening. Sometimes, they are selfish and eccentric.
DOG
Like the animal that represents their sign, Dog personalities are honest, faithful and sincere. They are stubborn, reliable and unselfish, and they enjoy helping others. They make friends easily, and many of these turn out to be lifelong friendships. Diligent and resourceful, Dog people are steady and devoted workers who quickly become trusted and valued members of any community.
In matters of the heart, they need a very understanding partner, as though generous, and loyal, they can also be moody, anxious and pessimistic.
PIG
People born in Boar years are pleasant, unpretentious and sincere. Natural homebodies, they are generous and devoted to their family and loved ones. Optimistic and industrious, they can become extremely successful in business.
Boar people are also nobel and chivalrous. They often have a wide and varied circle of friends, and their friendship can be lifelong. They get along well with most people, yet they are prone to marital strife. Boars tend to be naive, and it may be easy to take advantage of their gullibility.
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