In the Chinese lunar calendar, the twelve zodiac animals—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig—rotate in a twelve-year cycle, each year being represented by one of these animals. The history of the Chinese zodiac dates back to the 6th century BCE, initially paired with the twelve earthly branches (Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai) to form the Ganzhi cyclical calendar system.
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
A popular folk story tells that the Buddha once summoned all the animals to a grand gathering. The first twelve animals to arrive were chosen as the Chinese zodiac signs and were assigned to the years in the order of their arrival. The Rat arrived first, securing the first position, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, and Dog. The Pig arrived last, thus it was placed in the twelfth position. This legendary tale has been passed down through generations and is still remembered by people today. This is the origin of the order of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals.
What is the Chinese zodiac for the year 2025?
The zodiac sign for 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
If you’re not sure about your own zodiac sign, you can check it by reading:What is my Chinese zodiac sign？
The Chinese Zodiac and the Twelve Hours of the Day
In ancient China, people associated the twelve zodiac animals with the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each lasting two modern hours) based on the animals’ behaviors and activity patterns.
Zodiac Hour Chart
Zodiac — Modern Time — Reason for Association
Rat (Zi)—23:00 – 01:00 — Rats are most active during this time, scavenging for food.
Ox (Chou)—01:00 – 03:00—Oxen chew cud and digest food during this period.
Tiger (Yin)—03:00 – 05:00—Tigers are most active and hunt frequently at this time.
Rabbit (Mao)—05:00 – 07:00—The moon is still visible, symbolizing the Jade Rabbit from mythology.
Dragon (Chen)—07:00 – 09:00—Morning mist is common, believed to be dragons bringing rain.
Snake (Si)—09:00 – 11:00—Snakes rest hidden in the grass during this time.
Horse (Wu)—11:00 – 13:00—Horses remain standing even while resting.
Goat (Wei)—13:00 – 15:00—Goats are said to urinate frequently at this time, maintaining their health.
Monkey (Shen)—15:00 – 17:00—Monkeys become especially vocal and active.
Rooster (You Hour)—17:00 – 19:00—Roosters return to their coops for the night.
Dog (Xu)—19:00 – 21:00—Dogs stand guard as night falls.
Pig (Hai)—21:00 – 23:00—Pigs sleep deeply and gain weight at this time.
The Significance of the Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese zodiac is not only used for marking years but also plays a crucial role in BaZi astrology, Feng Shui, and fortune-telling. Each zodiac sign is believed to carry unique personality traits and elemental properties that influence an individual’s fate.
Rat – Intelligent, adaptable, resourceful
Ox – Reliable, hardworking, patient
Tiger – Brave, decisive, adventurous
Rabbit – Gentle, kind, artistic
Dragon – Energetic, charismatic, leadership-oriented
Snake – Mysterious, wise, intuitive
Horse – Enthusiastic, action-driven, free-spirited
Goat – Compassionate, soft-hearted, peace-loving
Monkey – Clever, witty, sociable
Rooster – Confident, outspoken, perfectionist
Dog – Loyal, just, responsible
Pig – Honest, generous, pleasure-seeking
The Chinese zodiac is a vital part of Chinese culture, deeply intertwined with Feng Shui, BaZi readings, and destiny analysis. By understanding the origins, time associations, and cultural meanings of each zodiac sign, one can better align with their personal energy and enhance their life’s fortune.
