The Chinese zodiac, also known as Shuxiang, represents twelve animals used in China and some East Asian regions to symbolize years and the birth years of individuals. These animals include rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat (or sheep), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The cycle of the Chinese zodiac lasts for 12 years, with each person being associated with one animal based on their birth year.
In ancient China, numerologists matched the twelve animals with the twelve Earthly Branches, forming what is known as the Twelve Zodiac Signs or Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs. The idea is that one's fate and characteristics are similar to those of the animal representing their birth year. The Chinese zodiac not only represents the twelve-year cycle of years but also symbolizes the succession of twelve time periods in a day.
The order of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs corresponds to the order of the Earthly Branches, namely: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Without the context of the Earthly Branches, discussing the sequence of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs is meaningless.
In fortune-telling based on the Chinese zodiac, practitioners analyze your zodiac fortune, including overall fortune, yearly fortune, destiny, personality, career, relationships, and financial prospects, using ancient divination techniques.
