Chinese Zodiac Collection
Our series of twelve zodiac signs blends traditional symbolism with modern design, each piece imbued with unique cultural significance and blessings, bringing good fortune and harmony to your life.
The twelve zodiac signs, an ancient folk cultural symbol, have shone brightly in people's imaginations since their inception. They are twelve mythical animals, each symbolizing different meanings and values. The zodiac signs, as important elements in folk activities such as bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, celebrating harvests, thanking deities, dispelling disasters, and ensuring safety, carry unique cultural significance
You can learn how to explore your zodiac identity on the Qi Codes blog.
Symbolic Meanings of Zodiac Signs
Because different zodiac signs have different symbolic meanings, the images of the zodiac signs are usually made into various handicrafts to convey good meanings.
|
Zodiac Sign |
Symbolic Meaning |
|
Rat |
In Chinese culture, the rat symbolizes intelligence and agility. People born in the Year of the Rat are typically smart, quick-witted, and good at seizing opportunities. However, they can also be overly cautious, sometimes missing out on good chances due to overthinking. |
|
Ox |
The ox has always been a symbol of diligence and reliability. People born in the Year of the Ox are hardworking and persevering, suitable for jobs that require long-term commitment. Despite the modern emphasis on efficiency, those born in the Year of the Ox should maintain flexibility. |
|
Tiger |
The tiger symbolizes bravery and ferocity. People born in the Year of the Tiger usually have strong self-confidence and are willing to take risks. However, they also need to control their emotions to avoid being too impulsive. |
|
Rabbit |
The rabbit represents gentleness and sensitivity. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are usually mild-mannered and good at handling interpersonal relationships. However, they can also be overly sensitive and easily influenced by external factors. |
|
Dragon |
The dragon holds a high status in Chinese culture, symbolizing authority, glory, and nobility. People born in the Year of the Dragon are typically innovative, but they should remain humble. |
|
Snake |
The snake is often seen as symbols of wisdom and mystery. People born in the Year of the Snake are intelligent and thoughtful. However, they may also be too introverted and difficult to approach. |
|
Horse |
The horse symbolizes freedom, exuberance, and vitality. People born in the Year of the Horse enjoy pursuing freedom and adventure. However, they may also be too impatient and need to learn to act more steadily. |
|
Sheep |
The sheep represents gentleness, peace, and kindness. People born in the Year of the Sheep are usually compassionate but need to enhance their self-protection awareness. |
|
Monkey |
The monkey symbolizes wit, agility, and creativity. People born in the Year of the Monkey are quick-thinking but need to control their impatience. |
|
Rooster |
The rooster symbolizes diligence, punctuality, and responsibility. People born in the Year of the Rooster pay attention to details but need to balance work and life. |
|
Dog |
The dog is symbols of loyalty and integrity. People born in the Year of the Dog are reliable and value commitments but need to pay attention to their own needs. |
|
Pig |
The pig symbolizes abundance, generosity, and contentment. People born in the Year of the Pig are usually gentle but need to focus on long-term planning. |
Zodiac Guardians
|
Zodiac Sign |
Guardian Deity |
Symbolic Meaning |
|
Rat |
Thousand-Armed Guanyin |
Thousand-Armed Guanyin symbolizes boundless compassion and the great vow to save all sentient beings. She perceives the world's suffering with her countless arms and eyes, protecting those born in the Year of the Rat from harm and ensuring smooth sailing. |
|
Ox, Tiger |
Akashagarbha Bodhisattva |
Akashagarbha Bodhisattva manages wisdom and wealth. For those born in the Year of the Ox and Tiger, he is a guiding light, leading them on a path of enlightenment. Wearing his amulets can invoke increased wisdom and financial abundance. |
|
Rabbit |
Manjushri Bodhisattva |
Manjushri Bodhisattva is the embodiment of wisdom, bringing spiritual enlightenment and intellectual radiance to those born in the Year of the Rabbit. This enables them to be quick-thinking, academically successful, and continuously inspired. |
|
Dragon, Snake |
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva |
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is renowned for his Ten Great Vows, which inspire individuals born in the Year of the Dragon and Snake to engage in virtuous actions and accumulate merit, thereby forming numerous positive relationships. He is not only a symbol of wisdom and strength but also an exemplary figure in the practice of compassion. |
|
Horse |
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva |
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva represents fearless strength, inspiring those born in the Year of the Horse to face challenges bravely and overcome numerous difficulties. |
|
Sheep, Monkey |
Vairocana Buddha |
Vairocana Buddha symbolizes the supreme light and wisdom of the universe, illuminating the path forward for those born in the Year of the Sheep and Monkey, bringing inner peace and enlightenment. |
|
Rooster |
Acala Vidyaraja |
Acala Vidyaraja, with his unwavering willpower, helps those born in the Year of the Rooster to break through obstacles and maintain inner strength and determination. |
|
Dog, Pig |
Amitabha Buddha |
Amitabha Buddha represents boundless light and boundless life, guiding those born in the Year of the Dog and Pig towards the Pure Land, filled with compassion and brightness. |
Benming Year (Zodiac Year)
In traditional Chinese culture, the Benming Year refers to a specific year that occurs every twelve years, coinciding with the zodiac sign of one's birth year. For example, if someone is born in the Year of the Dog, every subsequent Dog year is their Benming Year. This year is considered inauspicious, with the saying, "The Benming Year is considered an inauspicious year. There is a common saying in folk culture: "In the Benming Year, one offends the Tai Sui, and with the Tai Sui sitting on one's head, there will be no joy but surely disaster." This belief stems from the idea that the Tai Sui, an important deity in Chinese astrology, governs one's fortune and lifespan. During the Benming Year, it is thought that the Tai Sui's influence can lead to unfavorable circumstances, and thus, special care and precautions are taken to mitigate these effects."
Customs and precautions
1. Wearing Red Clothing: Red symbolizes auspiciousness and celebration in Chinese culture. It is believed that wearing red clothing (such as red underwear, socks, or belts) can ward off evil and bring good luck and protection.
2. Wearing Amulets: The purpose is to repel bad luck and ensure safety.
3. Worshipping and Praying: People visit temples to pray for blessings or perform traditional rituals to seek protection from ancestors or guardian deities, hoping for a smooth, healthy, and peaceful year.
4. Avoiding Major Decisions: Due to the significant fluctuations in fortune during the Benming Year, people usually avoid making major decisions and maintain a peaceful mindset.
Zodiac Compatibility in Marriage
In choosing wedding dates and partners, many people refer to the compatibility of zodiac signs to ensure a happy marriage. For example, the "Three Harmonies" and "Six Harmonies" are used to select auspicious matches, while avoiding "conflicting," "harming," and "punishing" combinations.
Zodiac Clash
Since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, China has practiced the selection of auspicious days, which is a traditional custom. In ancient times, people would consult experts to choose a good day according to the Chinese almanac (Huangli) to avoid misfortune and ensure good fortune.
In the traditional Chinese almanac, "clashing zodiac signs" refers to specific days that conflict with certain zodiac signs. It is believed that conducting important activities or making decisions on such days may lead to inauspicious events, such as misfortune or setbacks. Therefore, when the almanac indicates a day that clashes with one's zodiac sign, people usually avoid key activities or perform corresponding rituals and customs to mitigate adverse effects. Although this superstitious belief is questioned in modern society, many people still take measures on days that clash with their zodiac sign, such as wearing amulets, using lucky items, or performing traditional rituals to avoid negative impacts. As a part of Chinese culture, the influence of the almanac's zodiac clashes remains deeply rooted and continues to play a role in modern society.
Time and Zodiac Signs
|
Time (Hour) |
Zodiac Sign |
Reason |
|
11 PM to 1 AM |
Rat |
At this time, it is quiet and rats are most active, hence "Rat Hour." |
|
1 AM to 3 AM |
Ox |
At this time, oxen begin to chew their cud, preparing for plowing, hence "Ox Hour." |
|
3 AM to 5 AM |
Tiger |
At this time, tigers begin to roam, hence "Tiger Hour." |
|
5 AM to 7 AM |
Rabbit |
At this time, rabbits come out to forage, hence "Rabbit Hour." |
|
7 AM to 9 AM |
Dragon |
At this time, dragons are believed to bring rain, hence "Dragon Hour." |
|
9 AM to 11 AM |
Snake |
At this time, snakes become active, hence "Snake Hour." |
|
11 AM to 1 PM |
Horse |
At this time, the sun is at its peak and horses are most active, hence "Horse Hour." |
|
1 PM to 3 PM |
Sheep |
At this time, sheep graze vigorously, hence "Sheep Hour." |
|
3 PM to 5 PM |
Monkey |
At this time, monkeys are active, hence "Monkey Hour." |
|
5 PM to 7 PM |
Rooster |
At this time, roosters return to their nests, hence "Rooster Hour." |
|
7 PM to 9 PM |
Dog |
At this time, dogs begin to guard the night, hence "Dog Hour." |
|
9 PM to 11 PM |
Pig |
At this time, pigs sleep soundly, hence "Pig Hour." |
If a certain day is an auspicious day (a Huangdao Jiri), but the Earthly Branch is "Zi," then the zodiac sign that clashes with that day is "Wu," which means that people born in the Year of the Horse may encounter some unpleasant events on that day, such as work setbacks, poor financial luck, or emotional fluctuations. However, this influence is not absolute, as everyone's astrological situation is different, so the specific degree of impact will vary from person to person.
Considering the complexity of calculating the Earthly Branches (specific methods are introduced in the article on obtaining your Bazi), you can directly use online tools like https://wannianrili.bmcx.com/ (a Chinese website) to check the conditions of the day.
Artistic Creations
Snake Coiling Around Rabbit (Shepantu)
The most common is the "Snake Coiling Around Rabbit," where the snake's head and the rabbit's head face each other, and the snake's body wraps around the rabbit. This is because there is a saying in folklore, "Snake coiling around rabbit, surely rich."
It is a blessing for marriage, expressing the hope that the couple will be prosperous. On Cold Food Day, people make a "Snake Coiling Around Rabbit" out of flour as an offering to commemorate Jie Zitui. The "snake" represents Jie Zitui's mother, and the "rabbit" represents Jie Zitui. The coiling of the "snake" and "rabbit" symbolizes filial piety. Additionally, in the local dialect, "Snake Coiling Around Rabbit" sounds like "surely rich," so it also expresses people's aspiration for a wealthy and better life.
Paper-cutting and New Year paintings
During the Chinese New Year, people hang zodiac images in the form of paper-cuttings and New Year paintings to pray for good fortune, health, and peace.
Tiger-Head Shoes and Tiger-Head Hats
In some local customs, tiger-head shoes are essential gifts for a baby's full moon or first birthday. Traditionally, it is believed that tiger-head shoes can protect children from diseases. They are often worn with tiger-head hats, embodying the elders' wishes for the child's healthy growth.
Burlap Tiger
Burlap tigers are traditional folk handicrafts, usually made of cotton or silk and stuffed with sawdust, bran, or cotton. Their exaggerated and cute shapes are often used as children's toys, indoor decorations, or gifts. Burlap tigers symbolize strength and courage, believed to ward off evil and protect children's healthy growth.
