The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao in Chinese, is based on a twelve year cycle, each year in that cycle related to an animal sign. These animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Chinese zodiac is calculated according to Chinese lunar calendar . You can use the tool on the right to search for your Chinese zodiac. Select your Gregorian date of birth, and you'll reveal your date of birth according to Chinese lunar calendar together with your Chinese zodiac sign.

 Origin of Chinese Zodiac
Similar to the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, animals in Chinese zodiac were also created for counting years as the system that is now universally accepted based on the Christian calendar was as yet non-existent. The selection and order of the animals that influence people's lives very much was originated in the Han Dynasty (206 – 220) and based upon each animal's character and living habits. The old time division was mostly related to number 12: one ji equals 12 years, one year has 12 months, one day has 12 time periods called shi chen. Ancient people observe that there are 12 full moons within one year. So, the origin of Chinese zodiac is associated with astronomy. In Chinese tradition, each animal sign is usually related with an earthly branch, so the animal years were called zi rabbit, chou ox, yin tiger, mao rabbit, chen dragon, si snack, wu horse, wei sheep, shen monkey, you rooster, xu dog and hai pig.

 12 Animal Signs
For a long time there has been a special relationship between humans and the 12 zodiacal animals. Chinese people believe that the years represented by the animals affect the characters of people in the same manner as the sign of zodiac adopted by western civilizations. Click the following signs to know information on the characters of persons under different signs. Interesting facts like zodiac years, strengths, weaknesses, best matches and fortune of 2011 of each sign are introduced.
 12 Animal Signs Compatibility

 Legend about Chinese Zodiac
Legend has it that one day the gods ordered that animals be designated as signs of each year and the twelve that arrived first were selected. At that time, the cat and the rat were good friends and neighbors. When they heard of this news, the cat said to the rat: 'We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.' The rat then promised to awaken his friend and to go together. However, on the morning when he got up, he was too excited to recall his promise, and went directly to the gathering place. On the way, the rat encountered the tiger, ox, horse, and other animals that ran much faster. In order not to fall behind them, he thought up a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on condition that he sang for the ox. The ox and the rat arrived first. The ox was happy thinking that he would be the first sign of the years, but the rat had already slid in front, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac. Meanwhile his neighbor the cat was too late so when it finally arrived, the selection was over. That's why other animals appear behind the little rat and why the cat hates the rat so much that every time they meet, the cat will chase and kill the rat.

 Benming Nian (Year of Birth) 
The animal year when a person was born is called his/her Benming Nian (year of birth). The distinctive zodiacal way of calculating years based on the Chinese calendar decides that every once in every twelve year cycle people will meet their birth sign.  

According to Chinese Solar Terms, the Beginning of Spring is the first solar term regarded as the start of a new year. So, years should be divided by this day. Now, Chinese New Year's Day is commonly adopted as the division of two animal years.

It is said that in one's year of birth, he will offend 'Taisui', a mysterious power or celestial body that could control people's fortune. That is, he will meet either exultation or misery during that year. The best way to avoid miserable events is to wear red clothes, a waistband, or decorations such as a red bracelet and necklace as a talisman that must be purchased by others. If the person himself buys them, the function of the talisman is greatly reduced.

This may be due to the Chinese people's special affection for red since the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220). In the Han people's wedding ceremony, the bride was picked up by her bridegroom's red sedan, the new couple wore red clothes, and their rooms were decorated with red candles, red carpets and red lanterns. When an army won a battle, victory would be reported with a red flag; and when a candidate passed the imperial examination, he would wear red flowered clothes. Thus redness has become the token of festivities, success, bravery, rightness, and exorcism. From another point of view, there are just more and greater changes in the birth year than in other years, which are not always ominous. A change to one's  fate to ensure the predomination of good fortune requires both effort and a firm belief.

 12 Zodiac Signs and Time
Rat: 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., named zi shi (time period of zi). This is the time rats actively seek food.
Ox: 1 to 3 a.m., named chou shi (time period of chou). This is the time that oxen ruminate.
Tiger: 3 to 5 a.m., named yin shi (time period of yin). Tigers hunt prey and display their fiercest nature.
Rabbit: 5 to 7 a.m., named mao shi (time period of mao). Based on tales, the jade rabbit on the moon was busy pounding medicinal herb with a pestle.
Dragon: 7 to 9 a.m., named chen shi (time period of Chen). Dragons were said to hover in the sky at that time to give people rainfall.
Snake: 9 to 11 a.m., named si shi (time period of si). Snakes start to leave their burrows.
Horse: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., named wu shi (time period of wu). The day is flourishing with the sun high above. Other animals are lying down for a rest while the unconstrained horse is still vigorous.
Sheep: 1 to 3 p.m., named wei shi (time period of wei). It was said that if sheep ate grass at this time, they would grow stronger.
Monkey: 3 to 5 p.m., named shen shi (time period of shen). Monkeys become lively.
Rooster: 5 to 7 p.m., named you shi (time period of you). Roosters return to their roost as it is dark;
Dog: 7 to 9 p.m., named shu shi (time period of shu). Dogs begin to carry out their duty to guard entrances.
Pig: 9 to 11 p.m., named hai shi (time period of hai). All is quiet and pigs are sleeping soundly.

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