The Chinese Zodiac Signs are an ancient chronology with a lengthy history, as well as a technique for calculating people’s ages. It features twelve different types of animals that correspond to a 12-year cycle—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The 12 Zodiac Animal Signs were constructed in pairs and arranged in six groups. They embody and exemplify the high expectations that forefathers put on all Chinese people.
The Rat & Ox: Intelligence and Effort is Crucial for Success
The rat denotes knowledge, while the ox represents diligence. Intelligence and effort must work in tandem. If you are intelligent but not diligent, you will become just clever; if you are diligent but do not use your wit, you will be foolish. So these two features must be coupled, as the Chinese ancestors expected, making it the first and most significant group of animals.
The Tiger & Rabbit: Be Brave but Not Reckless
Tiger represents bravery, whereas Rabbit represents caution. To become the so-called “brave but not reckless,” bravery and caution must be tightly integrated. If you lack caution while being courageous, you will become reckless, and if you are not bold while being hopelessly prudent, your prudence will turn to timidity. As this group of creatures is likewise incredibly significant, it was placed second.
The Dragon & Snake: Stand Your Ground but Don’t be Stubborn
The dragon represents tenacity, while the snake represents softness. Toughness without tenderness is too unyielding to bend without breaking. Meanwhile, tenderness without toughness makes it easy to abandon your own ideas. As such, the mix of toughness and softness is also the Chinese dynasties’ ancient precept.
The Horse & Goat: Reach Your Goals but Don’t Disregard Others in the Process
The horse represents endurance, while the sheep represents harmony. If one is exclusively concerned with their own aim and disregards their surroundings, the two will unavoidably collide, leading to failure to reach the goal. Similarly, if one just patronizes and blends in with their environment, they may lose sight of their ambitions. As a result, endurance must be intimately associated with harmony.
The Monkey & Rooster: Be Consistent but Also Learn How to Adapt to Change
As there was no way to tell time in ancient China, the Chinese began each day by listening to the crow of the rooster, hence the rooster crows on a regular basis to symbolize consistency. Only when flexibility and constancy are properly linked can one with consistency preserve overall harmony and order; and, most importantly, they can continue to go forward with flexibility.
The Dog & Pig: Be a Teamplayer & Be Loyal to Your Values
Pigs signify affability, while dogs represent loyalty. If one is too loyal to accept others, they will reject them. In contrast, one who is too easygoing to be loyal would lose their values. When it comes to a nation, a team, or one’s personal ideal, one must have the loyalty that is directly related with affability, so that they may easily preserve the allegiance in their hearts.
It’s fascinating to learn how the Chinese Zodiac Signs have such significant moral and practical relevance. The Chinese Zodiac Signs are now highly cherished by individuals who love Chinese traditional culture all over the world as a very distinct aspect of Chinese traditional culture.
