When someone asks, “What’s your sign?” they are often referring to Western astrology, where constellations are determined by your birth date. However, in Chinese culture, the zodiac, or shēngxiào, assigns an animal to your birth year, known as your shǔxiàng. This system is steeped in mythology, with the most enduring tale being that of the Great Race.
The story begins with Yù Dì, the Jade Emperor and Ruler of the Heavens, who sought a way to measure time. He organized a race across a river, promising the first twelve animals to finish a place on the zodiac calendar in the order they arrived.
The clever rat rose early and, on his way to the river, encountered the horse, tiger, and ox. Unable to swim well, the rat asked for help. While the tiger and horse declined, the kind-hearted ox agreed to carry him. As they neared the finish, the rat leapt from the ox’s head, securing first place. The ox followed in second, with the powerful tiger close behind.
The rabbit, too small to fight the current, skillfully hopped across stones and logs to claim fourth place. The dragon, who could have flown directly, paused to assist others, arriving fifth. The horse galloped across next, but was startled by the snake, who slithered into sixth place.
Meanwhile, the sheep, monkey, and rooster worked together on a raft. Upon reaching the shore, they agreed to award eighth place to the sheep for her comforting presence, followed by the monkey and rooster. The dog, despite being a strong swimmer, played in the water too long and finished eleventh. The final spot went to the pig, who had stopped to eat and nap before crossing the finish line.
Each year is associated with one of these animals, repeating every 60 years. This cycle is not simply twelve years due to the traditional Chinese calendar’s two overlapping systems. The Twelve Earthly Branches, or shí’èrzhī, align with the zodiac animals, while the Ten Heavenly Stems, or tiāngān, connect with the five classical elements: metal (xīn), wood (mù), water (shuǐ), fire (huǒ), and earth (tǔ). Each element is assigned yīn or yáng, creating a ten-year cycle. Combining these with the twelve animals results in a 60-year cycle, known as the sexagenary cycle, or gānzhī.
For instance, someone born in 1980 is a yáng metal monkey, while a 2007 birth corresponds to a yīn fire pig. Additionally, individuals have an inner animal based on their birth month, a true animal from their birth date, and a secret animal determined by their birth hour.
While the Great Race supposedly determined the animals of the Chinese zodiac, the system evolved as it spread across Asia. Different cultures adapted it to reflect their communities. In the Vietnamese zodiac, for example, a cat replaces the rabbit, and in Thailand, a mythical snake called a Naga takes the place of the dragon.
Whether or not you believe in the zodiac’s influence on personal traits, it undeniably offers insights into the culture from which it originates. The Chinese zodiac is a fascinating blend of mythology, astronomy, and cultural identity, illustrating the rich tapestry of beliefs that shape societies.
Imagine you are participating in the Great Race. Design a new animal to add to the Chinese zodiac. Draw your animal and write a short story about how it participated in the race and what place it finished. Explain why your animal deserves a spot in the zodiac.
Choose one of the twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac. Research its characteristics and cultural significance. Create a poster or a digital presentation that includes interesting facts, its role in the Great Race, and how it is perceived in Chinese culture.
Learn about the five classical elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) and their association with the zodiac animals. Create a matching game where you pair each animal with its corresponding element and explain the significance of each pairing.
Make a Chinese zodiac calendar wheel. Use a paper plate or a circular piece of cardboard. Divide it into twelve sections and draw each zodiac animal in its respective section. Add the corresponding years and elements to each animal. Use this wheel to find out the zodiac sign for different birth years.
Write an essay comparing the Chinese zodiac with another cultural zodiac system, such as the Western zodiac or the Vietnamese zodiac. Discuss the similarities and differences, and reflect on what these systems reveal about the cultures they come from.
zodiac – The zodiac is a circle of twelve divisions that represent different signs, often used in astrology to predict personality traits and events. – The zodiac sign for people born in March is Pisces, which is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions.
race – Race refers to a group of people who share similar physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair type. – In our class, we learned about how different races contribute to the rich tapestry of our society.
culture – Culture includes the beliefs, customs, arts, and social behavior of a particular group of people. – The festival celebrated by the community showcased their unique culture through music, dance, and food.
animals – Animals are living creatures that are not plants, and they can be found in various habitats around the world. – In science class, we studied how different animals adapt to their environments to survive.
mythology – Mythology is a collection of myths or stories that explain the beliefs and traditions of a culture, often involving gods and heroes. – Greek mythology is filled with fascinating stories about gods like Zeus and heroes like Hercules.
elements – Elements are the basic building blocks of matter, and in cultural studies, they can refer to the fundamental aspects that make up a culture. – The elements of a culture include language, religion, and social habits.
calendar – A calendar is a system for organizing days and months, often used to track time and events. – We use a calendar to mark important dates, like holidays and birthdays.
cycle – A cycle is a series of events that repeat in a specific order, such as the changing of the seasons or phases of the moon. – The water cycle shows how water evaporates, condenses, and falls back to Earth as rain.
traits – Traits are characteristics or qualities that define a person or a group, such as kindness, bravery, or creativity. – One of the most important traits of a good friend is being supportive and understanding.
identity – Identity refers to the qualities, beliefs, and characteristics that make a person or group unique. – Understanding our identity helps us appreciate who we are and how we fit into the world around us.
