The Chinese Astrological Calendar

The Chinese Astrological Calendar (also known as the Chinese Zodiac Calendar) is closely intertwined with the Chinese Calendar.

In the past, the Chinese Calendar could be used as we normally use a calendar – to mark date and time.

Since China adopted the Western Gregorian Calendar for this purpose, the Chinese calendar is largely used by the Chinese for festival dates (such as the Chinese New Year) and for astrological purposes.

All the Chinese I met would quote the Gregorian date if asked what the date was – however they all knew their chinese astrology calendar animal signs (eg rat, rabbit, horse and so on) and what their sign was.

I will give you a basic outline of Chinese Astrology and the Chinese New Year Zodiac Animals.

The purpose is not to make you a believer but to provide enough information so you can converse with the Chinese when you meet them.

It is a great ice-breaker and talking point.

You might meet someone in a Chinese Bar or at a train station. Say something like “I was born in the Year of the Rabbit. What sign are you?”. And they may reply “I was born in the Year of the Pig”. And you can say “Ah, that means you are a lucky person” and so on.

I tend to simplify the Chinese Astrology Calendar.

I just think in terms of ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig and rat. Actually it is more complex than that.

The Chinese Zodiac Calendar is based on a sixty year cycle.

The chinese astrology calendar animal signs represent a cycle of twelve years because there are twelve animals.

But there are also five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) – so 12x5=60.

There is also another factor – the Yin and Yang which further describe qualities.

The Chinese Astrological Calendar Year from January 26 2009 to February 13 2010 is the Year of the Ox and the element is Yin Earth. The next time this combination occurs will be in 2069.

The Chinese Astrological Calendar Year from February 14 2010 to February 2 2011 is the Year of the Tiger and the element is Yang Metal.

The next time this combination occurs will be in 2070.

So in actual fact, reading a Chinese Horoscope is quite complex.

Some people take it very seriously!

I have seen professional Chinese horoscope experts (they look very scholarly) sitting in shops with lots of books reading the Chinese horoscope. Some Chinese people are very eager and pay good money for it.