The origins of chinese astrology according to mythology

An ancient legend says that on a Chinese New Year’s eve, Buddha called all animals to a gathering, promising a reward to the ones coming to him.

Twelve animals only went to this strange appointment, in the following order: rat, buffalo (or ox), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, the rooster, the dog and pig. At each Buddha offered a year that bears his name, and in order of their arrival.

The Asian countries have signs that, rather than depending on the sun as the signs of the Western Zodiac, depend on the moon and on lunar years. A lunar year has 12 moons and 13 every 12 years. That is why the Asian New Year (Têt festival in Viet Nam) is never on the same date.

As for our signs of the Zodiac cycle, the Chinese horoscope has 12 signs, but 12 years instead of 12 months.

Each year of this cycle is represented by an animal and that animal will have an influence on the destiny and character of people born during that year. Besides your sign you will find two more concepts to achieve the analysis of your character: the dominant Yin and Yang of your sign and element (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) corresponding to the year of your birth.

In Asia, these signs have such a personal, financial, and political important that nobody does an action without consulting an horoscope.