chinese zodiac

The Shēngxiào (Chinese: 生肖), better known in English as the Chinese Zodiac, is a scheme that relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, which, combined with the 5 Chinese elements (fire, water, earth, wood, metal), creates a 60-year cycle.

Unlike the Western zodiac, it has no relation to the constellations on the ecliptic.

Many other Asian countries have adopted the Chinese Zodiac as well, sometimes with slight changes (see below).

This tag is automatically applied when the image reference at least one of the Chinese Zodiac, such as various New Year arts.

The Twelve Zodiacs
Animal	Romanized (Ch.)	Chinese (Trad.)	Chinese (Sim.)	Earthly Branch
Rat	Shǔ	鼠		子
Ox	Niú	牛		丑
Tiger	Hǔ	虎		寅
Rabbit	Tù	兔		卯
Dragon	Lóng	龍	龙	辰
Snake	Shé	蛇		巳
Horse	Mǎ	馬	马	午
Goat	Yáng	羊		未
Monkey	Hóu	猴		申
Rooster	Jī	雞	鸡	酉
Dog	Gǒu	狗		戌
Pig	Zhū	豬	猪	亥

Variations

Japan
Pig -> Boar

Kazakhstan
Dragon -> Snail
Tiger -> Leopard

Malaysia
Rabbit -> Mousedeer

Thailand
Dragon -> Naga (mythological creature)

Tibet
Rooster -> Bird

Vietnam
Rabbit -> Cat
Ox -> Water Buffalo

See also

• Chinese New year

External links

• Wikipedia: Chinese Zodiac
• Wikipedia: Earthly Branches

The following tags implicate this tag: year_of_the_dog, year_of_the_dragon, year_of_the_goat, year_of_the_horse, year_of_the_monkey, year_of_the_ox, year_of_the_pig, year_of_the_rabbit, year_of_the_rat, year_of_the_rooster, year_of_the_snake, and year_of_the_tiger (learn more).