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Twelve AnimalsTwelve Animals and Twelve Earthly Branches an overview by Judy Adler-Morris Twelve Animals and Twelve Earthly Branches - an Overview Although many authors of Chinese Astrology books and many Chinese astrologers use the Chinese Lunar Year for their calculations, I have discovered the greater accuracy of using the Chinese Solar Year. The Chinese solar year begins when the Sun is 15 degrees Aquarius. That is generally between February 3 and 5. There is confusion between the Solar and Lunar new years because they both state the Animal but the dates are different. For accuracy's sake when charting a person's destiny, it is best (in this author's opinion) to use the Solar Calendar. My teacher, Master Joseph Yu, has taught me to use the Solar Year so that is the system I will be discussing in these articles. The Twelve Animals are comprised of the Twelve Earthly Branches. The Branches are comprised of mixtures of Four Types of Qi in their Yin and Yang expressions and Earth Qi in it's various mixture of the other types of qi. I know that sounds complicated, and it is. However, we can look at the "personalities" of this qi and how they apply to you. In the Chinese zodiac system the animals are those that relate to your Year Pillar (the year you were born). They mostly relate to personality, similar to your Sun sign in western astrology. This is a fun aspect but not necessarily concerned with determining your destiny. Nevertheless, it is useful information for now and later should you decide to go further with studying the Four Pillars of Destiny. (Master Joseph Yu has a wonderful correspondence course for the Four Pillars. If you are curious about it, please go to his website at http://www.astro-fengshui.com and check it out.) The first of the 12 Earthly Branches is the Rat. Chinese Name - Zi. Zi symbolizes "seed" or "beginning". Zi’s time is 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Time of year is December 7 - January 4. Zi’s qi is yin Water. Personality is industrious, social, active, detail oriented, fiercely protective, and impatient. The second Earthly Branch is the Ox. Chinese Name - Chou. Chou symbolizes strength through obedience and unity. Chou’s time is 1:00 –3:00 a.m. Time of year is January 5 – February 3. Chou’s qi is Yin Earth comprised of Yin Water and Yin Metal. Personality is logical, hard working, methodical, enduring, persevering, trustworthy, inflexible, and unapproachable. The third Earthly Branch is the Tiger. Chinese Name – Yin. Yin symbolizes integrity and passion. Yin’s time is 3:00-5:00 a.m. Time of year is February 4 – March 5. Yin’s qi is Yang Wood with Yang Fire and Earth. Personality is unpredictable, unreliable, charismatic, romantic, idealistic, competitive, outspoken, commanding, suspicious, and ill-tempered. The fourth Earthly Branch is the Rabbit. Chinese Name – Mao. Mao symbolizes diplomacy. Mao’s time is 5:00-7:00 a.m. Time of year is March 6-April 4. Mao’s qi is Yin Wood. Personality is diplomatic, refined, cultured, detached, easy to get along with, non-committal. The fifth Earthly Branch is the Dragon Chinese Name – Chen. Chen symbolizes action, leadership and vitality; most fortunate (lucky). Chen’s time is 7:00-9:00 a.m. Time of year is April 5-May 5. Chen’s qi is yang Earth containing yin Wood and yin Water. Personality is egocentric, grandiose, obligated to do his/her best for the good of all, benevolent leader, magnanimous, few close friends. The sixth Earthly Branch is the Snake. Chinese Name – Si. Si symbolizes wisdom and ambition. Si’s time is 9:00-11:00 a.m. Time of year is April 5-June 5. Si’s qi is yang Fire with yang Earth and yang Metal. Personality is thinker, philosopher, good listener, quick learner, skeptical and secretive; also private, distrustful, somewhat unforgiving, paranoid, and neurotic, beautiful and powerful. The seventh Earthly Branch is the Horse. Chinese Name – Wu. Wu symbolizes speed and perception. Wu’s time is 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Time of year is June 6-July 5 Wu’s qi is yin Fire containing yin Earth. Personality is cheerful, high-spirited, happy-go-lucky, lively, and independent; instinctive, impulsive, adventurous, self-centered, hard working and creative. The eighth Earthly Branch is the Goat/Sheep. Chinese Name – Wei. Wei symbolize peace and harmony. Wei’s time is 1:00-3:00 p.m. Time of year is July 6-August 5. Wei’s qi is yin Earth with yin Fire and yin Wood. Personality is considerate, compassionate, sensitive to changes, dislikes change, ultra-sensitive, altruistic, compliant, sincere, gentle, tendency toward self-pity, pessimism, withdrawal, and tendency to overspend. The ninth Earthly Branch is the Monkey. Chinese Name – Shen. Shen symbolizes creative energy and curiosity. Shen’s time is 3:00-5:00 p.m. Time of year is August 6-September 6. Shen’s qi is yang Metal with yang Water and yang Earth. Personality is innovative, witty, competitive, intelligent, clever, eager to learn new skills, masterful, self-centered. The tenth Earthly Branch is the Rooster. Chinese Name – You. You symbolizes precision and perfection. You’s time is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Time of year is September 7-October 7. You’s qi is yin Metal. Personality is meticulous, cocky, pretentious, proud, honest, forthright, candid, super-conscientious, diligent, loves mental exercises, authoritative, good follow through, self assured, and dauntless, practices what he preaches and expects others to do the same. The eleventh Earthly Branch is the Dog. Chinese Name – Xu. Xu symbolizes loyalty and integrity. Xu’s time is 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Time of year is October 8-November 6. Xu’s qi is yang Earth with yin Metal and yin Fire. Personality is compromising, loyal, compatible, unprejudiced, loves companionship and needs to be needed. The twelfth Earthly Branch is the Pig. Chinese Name – Hai. Hai symbolizes good will and generosity. Pig’s qi is yang Water with yang Wood. Hai’s time is 9:00-11:00 p.m. Time of year is November 7-December 6. Personality is patient, honest, simple, intelligent, modest, strong in mind and body, overindulgent, chivalrous, free of pretence, tolerant, can be complacent. About the Author Judy Adler is the first American designated Feng Shui Master by Master Joseph Yu, founder of the Feng Shui Research Center in Ontario. She has been practicing and teaching Feng Shui professionally since 1993. Although she resides in the Austin, Texas area, she provides services for clients internationally. She can be reached at Judy@FSRC.net If you would like try this for yourself use the Four Pillars Chart Calculator |