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The Chinese are firm
believers in astrology. They would prefer to begin any new task -- be it
work-related or personal -- at an auspicious time. In fact, like Indians, many
Chinese will not finalise a deal or fix on the date of a marriage or any other
important occasion until they consult an astrologer.
Chinese astrology is based on the cycle of the moon, which is why each new year
begins on a different date. The year of the sheep began on February 1, 2003,
while the year of the monkey will begin on January 22, 2004.
A person's date of birth is a very important factor in Chinese astrology.
The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle, with each year being represented by one
animal.
Legend has it that, on the new year, Buddha called all the animals to come
before him. Only 12 of them did so. First came the rat, followed by the ox, the
tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the
rooster, dog and finally the pig. Buddha rewarded them by naming a year in their
honour and decreed that each year, and the persons born in that year, would have
the characteristics of the animal it represented. Thus, the Chinese zodiac was
established.
2004 is the Year of the Monkey.
Based on your date of birth, find out which sign you belong to.
The Rat:
1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
The Ox:
1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
The
Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
The
Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
The
Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
The
Snake: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
The
Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
The
Sheep: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
The
Monkey: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
The
Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
The Dog:
1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
The Pig:
1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
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hour always indicates the 12 hour. Modified by a different stem, it indicates either noon or midnight.
, with each of the stems and branches combining once sequentially, it takes 60 years to complete a full cycle. Consequently, almost everyone can meet the exact same year again only once in lifetime. The current year, 1997, is in the
(the 4th stem and 2nd branch) year in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
