does anyone know about Chinese Astrology?

Question

Does the year you were born in mean that is the sign that represents you, or are there more factors involved? I was born in the year of the horse, but was told that I am a white tiger. How can I clear up my confusion?

Answer 1

Chinese astrology (as it is known today) is the divination of the future from the Chinese calendar, particularly its 12-year cycle of animals, referred to as the Chinese Zodiac. This fortune-telling system is derived from the principle characteristics of the system: the Zodiac, the five elements of Chinese thought, calendrical cycles based on astronomy, and ancient Chinese religion.
The Chinese Zodiac refers to a pure calendrical cycle: there are no equivalent constellations like for the occidental zodiac. In imperial times there were astrologers who watched the sky for heavenly omens that would predict the future of the state: but this was a quite different practice of divination than the popular present-day methods.
The twelve animals
Each individual personality is associated with an animal which represents it. This is where many Chinese Astrology descriptions in western society draw solely from. Each year in the 60 year cycle contains twelve animals, each with five possible elements, which distinctively vary the base animal's personality which equals to 60 possible combinations.

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The twelve zodiac animals
rat
ox
tiger
rabbit (or hare)
dragon
snake
horse
ram (or goat or sheep)
monkey
rooster (or **** or phoenix)
dog
pig (or boar)
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Inner animals and secret animals
It is a common misconception that there are only the singular animals assigned by year. These yearly cycles represent what others perceive you as being: while a person might appear to be a Dragon they might actually be a Snake internally and an Ox secretively. Combined with 5 elements, this makes for 8640 combinations (5 elements, 12 animals, 12 months, 12 times of day). The inner animal is assigned by the month of birth. This dictates your love life and inner persona and is critical to a proper understanding of your compatibility with other signs. It may be considered what the individual wishes to become, or believes to be their true self. The secret animal is determined by exact time of birth and is your own true sign which your personality is based on. It is important to compensate for daylight savings or any clock adjustment performed by your country, as it is mapped according to the sun's location and not the local time.

These are said to be critical for the proper use of Chinese astrology. Many Western displays of the Chinese zodiac omit these, as well as the elements, for easier consumption and understanding.

for more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology

Answer 2

I've read a few books about it. There are 5 elements that combine with the 12 animals. 2002=water horse; 1990=metal horse; 1978=earth horse; 1966=fire horse; 1954=wood horse; 1942=water horse; 1930= metal horse; 1918= earth horse. Were you born between 3:00 and 5:00 AM. That's the "Hour" (2 hours really) of the Tiger!

Answer 3

Try to get the book "your chinese horoscope" by Neil somerville. This guy's book explains it all. Each sign is divided into 4 or 5 different ones. For example you are a horse but there are fire, wood, metal, water and earth horses. If you had stated your birthdate I could have told you which you are.

Answer 4

Western

Answer 5

Mostly the year you were born, I think the dividing line is either in January or Feburary.
Go to horoscopes on yahoo home page and click on the chinese astrology tab.
Fill in your birth info and the system will do the rest

Answer 6

What day and month were you born in? Sometimes if you were born in January or Febuary then your sign might be different from what you think it is. (the chinese new year is different from american years, remember) and then there is the thing about your inner animal, and secret animal, so you could be both and another.

Answer 7

if you were born in the the year of the horse, u r 1966, 1978,1990... born then also your time and date of birth r imp. there is no white tiger.
the year of the tiger are 1974, 1986, 1962.
if you r born in jan and feb, according to the date you may fall in the prevoius year. animal category.

I am not permitted to ask but i could help if u get in touch with me. thanks

Answer 8

The year you were born in represents what society sees in you. Your day is your real personality.