What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese Yinyang principle consists of a 12-year cycle, each year of which is named after a different animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. Many Chinese believe that the year of a person's birth is the primary factor in determining that person's personality traits, physical and mental attributes, and degree of success and happiness throughout one's lifetime. The ancient Yinyang principle constructed a fantastic system of 10 heavenly stems and 12 mundane branches. The latter corresponds to 12 animals with two symbolic functions. Each animal is mystically related to one year in a 12-year cycle. Each animal also represents two hours or one-twelfth of every day. A person's future is determined by this intriguing system. These twelve animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. For example, the year 2023 is the year of Rabbit.

What's your zodiac animal?

The 12 zodiac animals are shown below in order, with recent years for you to directly find out your own birth year and animal sign.

For example, 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. If you were born in 2023, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Rabbit, and you are known as a "Rabbit".

Chinese Zodiac Signs' Personality

Chinese zodiac animals have astrological and cultural meanings. Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. It's believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year's animal.

Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.

Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.

Tiger: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.

Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.

Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.

Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: animated, active, energetic.

Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.

Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.

Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.

Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.

DRAGON

Luck Strength Protection Success

In China, the dragon and the phoenix are symbolized auspiciousness. The dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese zodiac. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. In Chinese culture, the dragon represents good luck, strength, health, and also the male element Yang. In systematized mythology, the dragon is considered male and is paired with the phoenix (female); together the two creatures symbolize marital harmony. The dragon works as a mirror to the phoenix, symbolizing masculine energy, strength, and protection.

Phoenix

Luck Strength Protection

In traditional Chinese culture, the phoenix, referred to as feng huang, was seen as a noble bird that was able to judge the character of human beings. In feng shui, the phoenix is a symbol of luck. When used correctly, the creature is said to bring auspicious chi both to your life and home. In systematized mythology, it is considered female and is paired with the dragon (male); together the two creatures symbolize marital harmony. The phoenix represents feminine energy, change, and resurrection. The vigorous, mythical beast is said to channel regenerative energy and create a positive transformation.

Fu Character

Happiness Blessing Fortune Luck

The Chinese character Fu () means happiness, blessing, good fortune, and good luck. People across China have the tradition to paste this character on their doors or windows during the Spring Festival to greet the Chinese Lunar New Year. They believe doing this will bring good fortune. It is written on diagonal square red paper and the character is usually pasted upside-down. Since the word for "arrive" in Chinese sounds the same as the word for "upside-down", pasting the character upside-down signifies that "good fortune has arrived". Pasting the character upside-down on a door or doorpost thus translates into a wish for prosperity to descend upon a dwelling. The Fu character can also be used in jewelry to represent the desire that one's good luck will be expansive.

Peace Buckle Meaning

Peace Tranquility Generosity Auspicious Fortune

"Peace Buckle" is called "Ping An Kou" in Chinese. Since ancient times, Peace buckle is a very classic traditional jewelry.
The meaning of peace buckle is peace, peace buckle outer ring is round, a symbol of the vast world ; The inner circle is also round, symbolizing our inner peace and tranquility.
From the appearance, the shape of the peace buckle is a big circle, which contains the combination of a small circle and two circles, which perfectly symbolizes the tolerance and generosity of people.
The peace buckle is shaped like a copper coin, which means that money and fortune is coming from all directions. The peace buckle is smooth as a whole, which means that everything is complete, and the family is happy. Now, Peace buckle is more and more popular among people, no matter which class regards it as auspicious.