How are the Chinese New Year animals decided and what is the story behind the Chinese Zodiac? – The US sun

The Chinese New Year has a number of different animals representing the year and this is said to correlate with people’s personality traits if they are born in a year of a particular creature.

This is known as the Chinese Zodiac, which repeats itself in a 12-year cycle. We know this.

1

What is this year’s Chinese zodiac sign?

2023 is the year of the rabbit.

Rabbits are considered good luck charms and are said to be gentle, talented and friendly.

which also includes the ox, the rat, the tiger, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig.

Last year was the year of the tiger and 2024 will be the year of the dragon.

Which Chinese Zodiac Am I?

The Chinese zodiac – or shengxiao, meaning “born similar” – is arranged in a repeating 12-year cycle.

The animal changes at the start of the Chinese New Year, and traditionally these animals were used to date the years.

However, Chinese New Year is a movable festival governed by the lunar cycle and can be anytime between January 21st and February 20th.

If you’re feeling confused, calculate your zodiac sign here.

How are the Chinese New Year animals decided?

The choice of animals is significant – ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig and dog are six of the most important domestic animals raised by Chinese people, while rat, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake and monkey are all loved by the Chinese.

Animals were divided into two categories – yin and yang – based on whether they had an even or odd number of claws, toes, or hooves.

They were then arranged in an alternating yin and yang sequence.

What is little known is that the signs of the zodiac can also be used to tell the time. This is how the Chinese clock works:

What is the history of the Chinese Zodiac?

According to legend, in ancient times the Jade Emperor ordered animals to become part of the calendar and the 12 to arrive first to be chosen.

Back then, the cat and the rat were good friends. Upon hearing the news, the cat said to the rat, “We should arrive early to check in, but I usually get up late.”

The rat promised to wake up his mate so they could go together, but because he was so excited he forgot and went alone.

On the way, the rat collided with tiger, ox, horse and other animals – all of which were much faster than him.

He hatched a plan and persuaded the ox to carry him on his back – on condition that the rat sang throughout the journey.

The ox came first, but the rat crept ahead of him and became the first lucky animal.

When the cat arrived, the selection was over – which is why the cat hates the rat and will always try to hunt and kill it.

The pig came twelfth because it overslept.