Chinese astrology

Chinese astrology, as well as classical astrology, consists of 12 Zodiac signs. According to Chinese astrology, each year is under the influence of a certain sign, and this ruling cycle is repeated after each of the 12 Signs are exhausted.

The first sign is the Rat. It corresponds to the Sagittarius in traditional astrology. The next in line to follow are:

• Ox --- corresponds to--- Capricorn
• Tiger --- corresponds to --- Aquarius
• Rabbit --- corresponds to --- Pisces
• Dragon --- corresponds to --- Aries
• Snake --- corresponds to --- Taurus
• Horse --- corresponds to --- Gemini
• Sheep --- corresponds to --- Cancer
• Monkey --- corresponds to --- Leo
• Rooster--- corresponds to --- Virgo
• Dog --- corresponds to --- Libra
• Pig --- corresponds to ---Scorpio

The Chinese astrology also is aware of Ascendant, or Rising Sign. The rising signs alternate each other in the same sequence as the main signs, starting from the Rat (23:00-01:00), up to the Pig (21:00-23:00).

Although there are similarities between the Chinese and traditional astrology, such as for example the classification of the signs according to the corresponding elements, parallels are not easily drawn. The Western astrology knows of four elements - fire, water, earth, and air. The Chinese astrology, on the other hand, knows of five elements - metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The elements in Chinese astrology rule over the years, months, hours, bodily organs, temperament, colors, numbers, etc. As he Chinese astrology is based on the Taoism, it is no surprise that it is incorporated even in the Chinese medical practice and acupuncture.

In Chinese Astrology, there is a larger cycle of years that repeats itself every 60 years. For example, Year 2007, which lasted from 18.02.2007 up to 6.02.2008 was in the sign of the Purple Pig.

The following table illustrates the alternation of yin and yang elements

• white metal - yang, (all years that end with 0)
• silver metal - yin, (all years that end with 1)
• black water - yang, (all years that end with 2)
• gray water - yin, (all years that end with 3)
• green tree - yang, (all years that end with 4)
• blue tree - yin (all years that end with 5)
• red fire - yang (all years that end with 6)
• purple fire - yin (all years that end with 7)
• yellow earth - yang (all years that end with 8)
• golden earth - yin (all years that end with 9).