What is Chinese Astrology?

Answer

The Chinese have a different way of making astrological predictions and do not use the Sun Signs or Zodiac signs as in traditional astrology. The art of Chinese Astrology is instead based on the 12 animal years and the Five Elements.

Chinese astrology is mainly dependent on the order of the 12 animal years, much like the 12 Zodiac signs. As evident by Chinese legends, Lord Buddha himself realized the need for changing the Chinese nation and thus called a meeting of the entire animal kingdom to this effect. This meeting was called on the day of Chinese New Year, which does not fall on the same day each year, but anywhere from mid- January to mid-February.

In spite of calling the entire animal kingdom, only 12 animals actually turned up for the meeting. These were, the rat, the ox, the tiger, the cat, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig; in that order.

To honor these 12 animals for their attendance, Lord Buddha gave each animal their own year, and also the people born in the same animal year with their individual characteristics and personalities.

Thus, the 12 animal years make the starting point of Chinese Astrology. But, in the same manner that a person�s astrological profile cannot be determined by their Sun Sign alone, in traditional astrology; in Chinese Astrology too, it cannot be determined only by the animal year in which a person was born.

The next step is to differentiate each person born under the same animal year, and this is done through the Five Elements. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, are the Five Elements that are read in addition to a person�s animal year, and thus each unique astrological profile is made for every person, based on the techniques of Chinese Astrology.

That is a good beginning. Here are some lessor known facts added by gypsystop.com:

There are countless fortune telling methods in China. The New Year starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Usually in February.They follow the lunar calendar which is 13 months long and each month is marked by the new moon. There are many variations and styles of astrology in the east based on geography and the time period. It is not true astrology in the strictest sense. Chinese astrology is based on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar is based on astronomy, numerology and ancient philosophy. The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar combining both the path of the sun and the moon.

Originally the 5 planets (elements), the moon and the sun made up the "7 stars". Each of the 7 stars resided in the 4 seasons or directions and made up the "28 lunar mansions". Lunar mansions became very popular in Arabic astrology and in Indian astrology. In Indian astrology they call them the 28 nakshastras. These also make up 28 specific constellations with very detailed stories, legends and omens attached to them. Two other forms of astrology came later: The "Purple Emperor" based on the lunar calendar and the "4 pillars of destiny" based on the solar calendar.

Chinese astrology uses a 60 year cycle. It's each of the 5 elements (planets) paired up with each of the 12 zodiac animals in the sky. All of these combine to make the "12 earthly branches". Everything is also assigned a Yin or Yang value. The "10 heavenly stems" come from the Yin and the Yang of each of the 5 elements. If the year ends in an even number the heavenly body is Yang. Odd is Yin. The 4 pillars of destiny reports combine the 10 heavenly stems with the 12 earthly branches. The Lunar Purple Emperor reports combine the "12 palaces" with up to 144 constellations to come up with different life aspects.

Their animal astrology is based on astronomy. The Chinese base the 12 animal system off of Jupiter's Orbit. Jupiter is the planet of destiny and is very different from any planet in our system. We are very lucky to only have one Jupiter and that it is so calm. Jupiters are, in almost every solar system we study, whacking other planets into the sun like marbles on a whim, making it hard for them to live for very long and develop life like our planet has. each person is assigned 4 of the 12 animals. Hour, day, month and year. We all have a power animal or year animal, which is the most popular in the west. We all have an inner animal that is based on our month of birth which influences our motivation, love life, compatibility and inner dialogue. Our day animal influences daily activity. And finally, we all have a secret animal based on our time of birth. This last one is considered to be the most powerful influence over who we are.

For Chinese numerology, detailed charts, many calculators and animal descriptions- visit: http://gypsystop.com/chineseastology.html

First answer by ID3716557614. Last edit by Gypsystop. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 62 [recommend question]