Chinese Zodiac Time

In ancient China, people divided a day and night into 12 time periods, each equaling to the present 2 hours. They also gave each time period a zodiac sign, named Chinese zodiac time.

 

Chinese Zodiac Hour Calculator 

Present Time Chinese Zodiac Hour Zodiac Sign
23:00 - 01:00 Zi Shi Rat
01:00 - 03:00 Chou Shi Ox
03:00 - 05:00 Yin Shi Tiger
05:00 - 07:00 Mao Shi Rabbit
07:00 - 09:00 Chen Shi Dragon
09:00 - 11:00 Si Shi Snake
11:00 - 13:00 Wu Shi Horse
13:00 - 15:00 Wei Shi Sheep
15:00 - 17:00 Shen Shi Monkey
17:00 - 19:00 You Shi Rooster
19:00 - 21:00 Xu Shi Dog
21:00 - 23:00 Hai Shi Pig
 

Chinese Zodiac Hour Meaning

 

Zi Shi - Rats are foraging.

Zi Shi starts from 11 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. It not only means the last moment of a day, but also refers to the beginning of a new day. Zi Shi is with Chinese zodiac Rat sign as rats are usually active for foraging at midnight. 
 

Chou Shi – Oxes are chewing the cud.

Chou Shi is from 1 to 3 a.m. It is the dark period before dawn, and the oxes begin to chew the cud at this time. Therefore, the Chou Shi belongs to zodiac Ox. 
 

Yin Shi – Tigers are active to capture prey.

Yin Shi refers 3 to 5 a.m. upon the dawn moment. Tigers wake up and capture prey at this point, so this time period is given the Tiger sign. 
 

Mao Shi – Jade Rabbit is working with herbal medicines.

The 2-hour period between 5 and 7 a.m. is Mao Shi. Although the sun is rising up, the moon can still be seen in the sky. In Chinese fairy tale, Jade Rabbit inside the Moon Palace is still working with herbal medicines. In this case, Mao Shi is related with zodiac Rabbit. 
 

Chen Shi - Dragons are going to bring rainwater.

During Chen Shi from 7 to 9 a.m., the sunlight is getting brighter and temperature is getting higher, the mythical creature dragons are about to bring rainwater to people, and this gives Chen Shi the zodiac Dragon.
 

Si Shi - Snakes are leaving their holes.

Snake acquires Si Shi - 9 - 11 a.m., as they usually leave their holes for absorbing power from the warm sunshine in this comfortable time. 
 

Wu Shi - Horses are energetic.

 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Wu Shi. Horses is on behalf of Wu Shi as they are still sthenic while the others are tired and taking noon break. 
 

Wei Shi - Sheep are pasturing.

 Sheep zodiac possesses 1 to 3 p.m. named Wei Shi. The heat is going to disappear in the early afternoon, and it is a good time for goats to pasture.
 

Shen Shi - Monkeys are crowing.

Shen Shi is three to five o’clock in the afternoon. Monkeys are active and begin to crow by this time. Hence, the Chinese zodiac hour Shen Shi is with Monkey sign. 
 

You Shi - Roosters are returning to dens.

You Shi - 5 to 7 p.m. represents the moment of night falls. It belongs to Rooster among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs as roosters always go back to their homes from 17:00 to 19:00. 
 

Xu Shi - Dogs are on guard.

From 7 to 9 p.m. of Xu Shi in the evening, it’s dark outside, and dogs start to do their job of gate guarding. 
 

Hai Shi - Pigs are sleeping.

Hai Shi is the ending hour from 9 to 11 p.m in a day. All is quiet and pigs are in a deep sleep, so they have Hai Shi.
 


 

Chinese Zodiac Month

Ancient Chinese people also gave each of the 12 month a zodiac sign based on their relevance. 
 

What are the Chinese zodiac signs for each month?

Lunar Month Zodiac Sign Chinese Zodiac Month Meaning
January Tiger Tigers are haunting through mountain forests for foraging.
February Rabbit Rabbits are active and kicking on the verdant grass.
March Dragon Dragons appear in the air along with thunder to bring people spring rain.
April Snake In warm April, Snakes are awake from hibernation.
May Horse Horses run and crow happily in the grassy lawn.
June Sheep Sheep are happily eating grass all over the mountains and plains.
July Monkey Monkeys roar constantly in the thick jungle.
August Rooster In the middle of autumn, people cook chicken and drink wine for reveling.
September Dog Dogs are required for guarding in the harvest time.
October Pig Pigs are getting plumper and pumpers in October.
November Rat In snow season, Rats start to steal food at night.
December Ox Ox returns to cowsheds to avoid cold wind.
 

 Further Reading:
 Zodiac Story

 Zodiac Calculator

 Love Compatibility

 Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth)

 Zodiac Years Chart

 Tai Sui

- Last updated on Sep. 25, 2023 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Chinese Zodiac Time
Asked by Hkn from TURKEY | Sep. 24, 2023 01:39Reply
How about timezones ?
Do time zones affect these hours ? For example, if i was born on a gmt+2 zone, would i have a change on my hour column ? i was born at 19:10 gmt+2, so am i a dog or a rooster on hour column ?
Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Olivia | Sep. 25, 2023 20:30
00Reply


Yes, it is based on China's time zone: gmt+8, so you were born at 23:10 at China time with Rat sign.
Asked by Faith from USA | Mar. 21, 2023 11:02Reply
Need to confirm chosen wedding date is good for bride and groom.
Chosen wedding date: November 29, 2023 Between 3pm-5pm
Bride's birth time: September 12, 1988 2am
Birth place: San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Groom's Birth time: November 5, 1990 12pm
Birth place: Manila, Philippines
Answers (1)
Answered by Vicky | Mar. 21, 2023 20:37
00Reply


It's a good day for wedding ceremony for both of you. Congratulations!
Asked by John Willerms from UNITED STATES | Feb. 23, 2021 08:11Reply
Are there Good months to start a relationship
Im thinking about being on a relationship, DOB 11/03/1996
Answers (1)
Answered by Carmen | Feb. 28, 2021 19:30
00Reply


Would you mind providing your birth date
Then I can find the love fortune for you.
Asked by Asmita from NEPAL | Apr. 01, 2020 01:31Reply
I would like to know when is the best time for me to start business? 2020 ?
Birth date: 1999- 02-18(year-month-day)
Time: 10: 14 am
Answers (3)
Answered by Sheryl from AUSTRALIA | Apr. 02, 2020 22:02
00Reply


Yes, the prediction indicates that 2020 will be a good year for you to start business. You can also meet several lucky stars that can provide some necessary help. Good luck!
Answered by John Willerms | Feb. 23, 2021 08:10
00Reply


August will be good thats when alot of people hire up for jobs
Answered by hello | Mar. 31, 2022 01:58
00Reply


you will be having a lot of gain if u worked abroad your country, like in foreign lands, that's what I've noticed by reading your vedic chart
Asked by King from USA | May. 25, 2019 20:46Reply
Will I find love soon?
Any chance of a girlfriend in near future DoB sept 28 1997 3:20
Answers (3)
Answered by Jeremiah from RUSSIA | May. 29, 2019 00:49
00Reply


You are born with Chinese zodiac Ox sign. This year, you may have a favorable luck on love and relationships. You will have more chance to meet your soul mate. Just take the initiative when the relationship starts.
Answered by King from USA | May. 29, 2019 11:51
00Reply


What are the best period or months to start relationship
Answered by Jeremiah | Jun. 02, 2019 20:32
00Reply


The prediction indicates that July, September and November are lucky months for you.
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