What is the Chinese zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac, also known as Shengxiao (“born resembling”), is a repeating cycle of 12 years, and each year is represented by a different animal. In order, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The order of the Chinese astrology signs is related to the most commonly accepted legend of the Chinese zodiac: the Jade Emperor’s Race. As the story goes, the Chinese emperor held a race to determine which lucky animals would have the honor of being added to the calendar. The first-place winner—who ended up being the rat—would claim the first year of the 12-year cycle, and so on.
EMMA KUMER/RD.COM
What is my Chinese astrology sign, and what does it mean?
Juleen (Zhuqing) Wang, Student Services Advisor for Montclair State University’s School of Business, grew up in Hangzhou, China. She loves to share Chinese culture and history with her students, and she also sometimes teaches Chinese language classes. As a native of China, she and her family always clung to the superstition of the Chinese zodiac. “Nowadays,” she says, “[fewer] people care about it, but it’s still in people’s minds.” For example, zodiac traits and compatibility are often cited as reasons for why two people don’t get along. (“They’re a Tiger and an Ox—of course they’re fighting!”)
While that may sound a lot like Western astrology, Wang notes that the very natures of Western and Eastern astrology are inherently different. “In Western astrology, horoscopes change,” she explains. “Chinese astrology is pretty set in stone.” Unlike Western astrology, which is governed by the constant planetary movements, Chinese astrology is predetermined by birth year; an Ox is an Ox, and that never changes (though the personality of a Water Ox will be somewhat different from a Fire Ox’s). So, what does your animal sign say about you?
So this is my profile as a Dog. Thats right. Pardon me while I sniff around a bit. Please keep on reading.
Dog
Birth years of the Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Next year of the Dog: 2030
“Dog sign is exactly what you think about dogs,” Wang says of man’s best friend. “Dog is very loyal, playful and selfless.” This sign is also considered practical, much like how the real animal is used for protection or bred by humans for specific purposes. Dog’s best bet for a partner is a Rabbit—someone who is as kind and loving as they are.
Ahem, kind and loving, that’s me!
If you’re kinda curious about your traits in the Chinese Zodiac, click on the link below and ley the learning begin.
Source: The 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs Explained | Reader’s Digest (rd.com)
