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The myth behind the Chinese zodiac - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

TED-Ed・4 minutes read

Western astrology determines your sign based on your birthday constellation, while Chinese astrology assigns animals to birth years to form the zodiac. The Chinese zodiac follows a 60-year cycle, combining branches, stems, and elements to create unique animal sign combinations based on birth details.

Insights

  • In Western astrology, your sign is determined by the constellation when your birthday falls, while in Chinese astrology, it's based on your shǔxiàng, or the animal assigned to your birth year.
  • The Great Race myth explains the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac, showcasing how each animal earned its place through unique traits or actions, contributing to the intricate system that combines the Twelve Earthly Branches, Ten Heavenly Stems, and five elements to assign specific animal signs to individuals based on their birth year, month, date, and even hour, with variations across different cultures.

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Recent questions

  • What determines your astrological sign in Western astrology?

    In Western astrology, your sign is determined by the constellation when your birthday falls. Each zodiac sign corresponds to a specific period of the year, with each sign having its own unique characteristics and traits.

  • How are the animals in the Chinese zodiac ordered?

    The animals in the Chinese zodiac are ordered based on the Great Race myth. The rat cleverly secured first place by riding on the ox's head, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, and others. Each animal earned its place through unique traits or actions.

  • What is the significance of the 60-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac?

    The Chinese zodiac consists of a 60-year cycle that combines the Twelve Earthly Branches with the Ten Heavenly Stems and the five elements. This system assigns individuals specific animal signs based on their birth year, month, date, and even hour, creating different combinations and variations in different cultures.

  • How is your Chinese zodiac sign determined?

    In Chinese astrology, your zodiac sign is determined by your shǔxiàng, or the animal assigned to your birth year. Each animal sign is believed to represent certain personality traits and characteristics, influencing the individual's life and fortune.

  • What are the differences between Western and Chinese astrology?

    Western astrology determines your sign based on the constellation when your birthday falls, while Chinese astrology assigns your sign based on your birth year's animal. Each system has its unique characteristics, beliefs, and methods of predicting personality traits and fortunes.

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Summary

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Chinese Zodiac: Animals and Astrology Explained

  • In Western astrology, your sign is determined by the constellation when your birthday falls, while in Chinese astrology, it's based on your shǔxiàng, or the animal assigned to your birth year.
  • The Great Race myth explains the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac. The rat cleverly secured first place by riding on the ox's head, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, and others, with each animal earning its place through unique traits or actions.
  • The Chinese zodiac consists of a 60-year cycle, combining the Twelve Earthly Branches with the Ten Heavenly Stems and the five elements to create different combinations. This system assigns individuals specific animal signs based on their birth year, month, date, and even hour, with variations in different cultures like Vietnam and Thailand.
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