Chinese Star Signs

From LoveToKnow Horoscopes

Interested in learning about Chinese star signs? While a popular branch of astrology, Chinese astrology differs from Western astrology in important ways. Rather than star signs being based on a single month in a year, each year is entirely devoted to a single astrological sign.

Earth is just one element in Chinese astrology.

For example, in Western astrology, the sign of Libra lasts from September 22nd to October 23rd. With Chinese star signs, the month of the year does not matter. Rather, the year itself dictates to which sign all individuals born in that year are assigned. Generally speaking, someone born in 1986 would fall under the sign of the Tiger. One important fact to keep in mind is that the Chinese lunar new year occurs somewhere between January 21 and February 21, not on January first as found in the Western solar calendar. So, it is possible for two people born in the same year to be different signs depending on whether they were born before or after the new year. If they were born before the new year, they would fall under the previous year's sign.

What Are Chinese Star Signs?

While there are 12 main Chinese signs, there are different cycles that each sign goes through. Each of these cycles is associated with an element much the same way that Western astrological signs are. The information below will help you put it all together.

Find Your Chinese Star Sign

The first thing you need to know when looking for you Chinese sign is the year of your birth. This will tell you which of the twelve initial signs you are. For example:

Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948
Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949
Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950
Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951
Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952
Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953
Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954
Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955
Monkey: 2015, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956
Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957
Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959

Find Your Element

Once you have found which of the twelve main signs you fall under, you can then find which of the elements you fall under. In the list below, use your birth year to find out which of the elements rules your birth year.

Metal: 1950, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1990, 1991, 2000, 2001
Water: 1952, 1953, 1962, 1963, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003
Wood: 1954, 1955, 1964, 1965, 1974, 1975, 1984, 1985, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005
Fire: 1947, 1956, 1957, 1966, 1967, 1976, 1977, 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 2006
Earth: 1948, 1949, 1958, 1959, 1968, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999

Once you have found both your animal and your corresponding element, you will know your full star sign under Chinese astrology! Interestingly enough, there are 60 different combinations of signs and elements.

Characteristics of the 12 Main Signs

Pigs are said to be fun and family focused. They can also be easy to deceive.
Rats are both bold and crafty. They can survive through the most difficult of situations.
Oxen are tolerant and often career focused. They are also rational and easy to reason with.
Tigers are outgoing and vibrant. They are also dependent on the opinions of others.
Rabbits often pull back from society and stray away from leadership roles. They do not like attention.
Dragons are free spirits. They can also be driven to success.
Snakes spend much time on careful thought. They can also be poor communicators.
Horses are passionate and full of life. While they may not always finish their goals, they have fun along the way.
Sheep are quiet, calm and happy doing their own thing. They also take care of those they love.
Monkeys are clever and cunning. They are also curious and enjoy practical jokes.
Roosters are bold and brash. They will work hard and are proud of their work.
Dog value friendship and family. They will always listen to others.

The Power of the Five Elements

Much like the main 12 signs, the element that is associated with people can tell a great deal about them. Rather than giving a person specific characteristics, the five elements show what drives and tempers a person.

People with a Metal drive are born communicators. They are emotional and place much value to what has happened in their life.
Water drives those under its rule to be jacks of all trades. They will easily pick up skills.
People under Wood are socially responsible. They are outgoing and know the affect they have on the World.
Fire drives are explosive, passionate and bold. The drive can often result in producing negative energy.
The Earth drive results in responsible and fair people. They can balance the most difficult situations.

Final Thought

Chinese astrology can be interesting and quite revealing to people who take the time to study it. Although this branch of astrology may at first seem more difficult to understand than Western astrology, it's well worth the effort. Chinese astrology can even help you find compatible matches!

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