The Chinese Zodiac

Leilani Connolly >> Pre-AP English 7

 The Sheng Xiao, commonly known as the Chinese Zodiac in English, is a twelve year scheme and plan of future action that relates to twelve different symbolic animals, according to a twelve year cycle relating to the Chinese lunar moons.

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

 The Chinese Zodiac was created in 4000 B.C. when a minister named Ta Nao, who served for Emperor Huang Ti, observed that there were a total of twelve different moon rotation phases. From these observations, he created a calendar that contained twelve months, one for each moon phase, and made a year in total. The Jade Emperor saw this creation and wished for animals to represent the different months on the calendar.

Why was the zodiac created?

 The Jade Emperor, was considered a god to the Chinese back in this time period. He was known to be the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below as well, and was the most important god. In Chinese mythology, some believed that he was purely human.

Who was the Jade Emperor?

 According to the most common legends, the Jade Emperor wished for the calendar to be represented by twelve animals. He invited animals from all over to take part in a great race, and declared that the coveted positions would be given accordingly to the first twelve animals to cross. However, on the day of the race, the Rat encountered many other animals that could run much faster than him and soon came across a large obstacle a lake! In order not to fall behind, the Rat decided to hitch a ride on the strong Oxs back, who happened to be in the lead so far.

The History of the Zodiac

 Upon coming to the finish line, the Ox was very happy about getting to be the first animal on the calendar, but little did he know that the Rat had already jumped off his back and crossed the finish line, thus allowing him to cross second. Fortunately, the rest of the animals managed to cross with the Tiger coming in third place and the Rabbit coming in Fourth Place.

 During the race, the Dragon came in fifth place, the Snake came in sixth, the Horse came in seventh, the Sheep came in eighth, the Monkey came in ninth, the Rooster came in tenth, the Dog came in eleventh, and the Pig came in last place. It is said this happened due to the fact that it feasted and rested half-way through the race.

What places did the other animals come into?

 Behind the scenes, the science amongst these animals is not normal. They are considered heavenly beings made of either light called Yang or darkness called Yin. What they are consisted of is based off a theory about their number of toes, and was created by a Chinese scholar named Hong Xun. Animals with an odd number of toes are consisted of Yang and animals with an even number of toes, including the Snake due to its split tongue, are made up of Yin.

The Science of the Zodiac

 The light within Yang are made up of tiny particles called photons, which have related energy equal to hf. H is equal to Plancks constant and f is equal to frequency. Yin is just an absence of photons creating frequencies that can be seen by the naked eye.

What are Yin and Yang made up of?

 Numbers do not explain your desirable zodiac sign, however, without the knowledge of that, anyone can easily figure out their Juusanshi number. These are special numbers that can give you rough, basic fortunes about horoscopes and your future. Just follow these steps! Step one, separate the digits of your birth year and add them up. Then separate numbers into digits and add them together. Repeat this until you only have one digit left. - Example: Born in 1986. 1+9+8+6= 24 2+4= 6.

The Math of the Zodiac

 Step two, add the number of your birth month to the number of the day you were born. Step three, add the two numbers from step one and step two to get your number. - (Step 2) Example: Born on May 6 (5/6). 5+6= 11.

** And that is all there is to it! **

We are currently celebrating the Year of the Snake! Next year, we will be celebrating the Year of the Horse! The Snake is currently the most popular zodiac sign! The Sheep is currently the least popular zodiac sign!

Interesting Facts

Chinese Zodiac History. Chinese-Traditions-andCulture.com, 2009-2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. < http://www.chinese-traditions-and-culture.com/chinese-zodiac-history.html >.

Chinese Zodiac Stories. Travelchineguide.com. TravelChinaGuide.com, 1998 -2013. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/story.htm >. Feng Shui Articles and Resources The Legends of Chinese Zodiac Animals. The Legends of Chinese Zodiac Animals. But Feng Shui Inc., 2012. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. < http://www.buy-fengshui.com/articles-chinese-zodiac-animal-legends.php >.

Takaya, Natsuki, Alethea Nibley, Athena Nibley, and Lianne Sentar. Fruits Basket Banquet. Hamburg: Tokyopop, 2009. Print.
Takaya, Natsuki. Fruits Basket. Los Angeles, CA: Tokyopop, 2004. Print. The Chinese Zodiac. Time.com. Time Inc., 2013. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. < http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1873900,00.html >

Bibliography (Any questions?)

Thanks for listening!

- Leilani Connolly