THE CHINESE ZODIAC
The beginning of the Chinese new year during the spring festival always has a Chinese zodiac sign (Sheng Xiao 生肖), attached to it. The Chinese zodiac is made up of twelve animals consisting of The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig in chronological order. The spring festival marks the transition of the Chinese zodiac.
February 12th 2021, would mark the transition from the year of the rat to that of the Ox in China. The Chinese zodiac is used to learn more about personality traits, marriage compatibility, career path, the best time to have a baby, romantic compatibility and what fortunes may be brought forth and so on.
Also, it plays an interesting role in influencing the culture and community of China. Zillions of people in China believe the “predictions” and “superstitions” that are ascribed within the Chinese zodiac. Some have also based their relationships according to the zodiac. In modern China, the youths are not so superstitious about the zodiacs, this superstition can be seen mainly in the older generations.
For example, some Chinese people (中国人 Zhōngguó rén) find their significant other and friends by looking for someone with the zodiac sign that is compatible with theirs.
Every person in China has a specific zodiac sign which is determined by their birth year. In other words, if a child is born on the 14th of March 2021, the child’s zodiac sign would be that of the Ox which attributes various qualities to the child and is symbolic. Since the Chinese new year dates are dynamic, people born in January and February pay special attention to their birth date and birth year because it is quite tricky as the lunar and Gregorian calendar vary.
Zodiac Birth Year (Ben Ming Nian 本命年)
People think that celebrating their zodiac birth year would bring them luck and happiness, sorry to burst your bubbles (ugh!), it is rather, the opposite. It is an obstacle to be hurdled over.
The superstition of the birth year (per China Highlights) being the unluckiest year is from the fact that “people in their zodiac year are believed to offend Tai Sui, the God of Age, and incur his curse.” Tai Sui is a celestial being that is synonymous with the position of Jupiter.
For this reason, red things (lucky colour in China)are worn such as underwear, belts, socks or red ornaments. These are essential in China to be worn on zodiac birth years every day for the entire year to drive away evil spirits and bad luck. This is still being done in some modern parts of China because it is an unlucky year.
Per China Highlights, to avoid conflicts with Tai Sui during the birth year, worshipping of Tai Sui in the temple, exclusion of big moves such as buying a car or a house, getting married, kicking off a business amongst other high-risk endeavours are all important to be adhered to. Also, wearing of Talismans, ornaments, and jewellery made of Crystal, jade or gold with the lucky colour red would appease Tai Sui.
Origin of the Chinese Zodiac
It is believed that the origin of the Chinese zodiac is rooted in zoolatry (animal worship) which dates back to the Qin dynasty. (I have a story for you😊)
Long, long ago, Legend has it that a certain “Jade Emperor” summoned animals to his palace to make them his guards through a “Great Race” and the order in which they arrived determined the animal’s place in the zodiac.
An immortal was sent to spread the word among the earthly animals about the great race and stated the earlier you pass the Heavenly gate, the higher the rank gotten.
Consequently, animals set off to the Heavenly gate. Rat was the first to hit the road towards the Heavenly gate. On his way, there was a river which he could not pass owing to the swift current of the river so he had to wait. On sighting the Ox, the rat clung to the Ox’s ear and didn’t alight till they had almost reached the Heavenly Gate. The Diligent Ox was not bothered but ventured on towards the Heavenly gate, approaching the gate, the rat jumped off the ear of the Ox and rushed towards the feet of the emperor.
Thus, the rat is the first Chinese zodiac and Ox second because he cheated in the great race among the animals summoned by Jade Emperor. The rat is considered the cleverest animal. The other ten animals are placed according to their positions in the race, the Pig is last because he stopped for a snack during the race.
It is worthy to note that the various zodiacs have distinct characteristics, next week we shall talk about the year of the ox commencing on the 12th of February 2021.
What is your zodiac animal?
I hope you learnt something new today and enjoyed my story😊
Edited by Mengdi Li
Till next time, 再见
