Background
The Chinese Zodiac: An Overview
Most people do not know the Chinese zodiac. Their understanding rarely extends beyond the symbols on the tablemat of their favorite Chinese restaurant. However, there is much more to this two thousand year old doctrine than just dining table mat symbols.
Unlike western countries where the years are dated according to the birth of Jesus Christ, Chinese astronomy is based on the sexagenarian calendar cycle spanning a total of 60 years. There are 12 animal signs in Chinese astrology. According to a legend, Lord Buddha had invited all animals for dinner and only these 12 actually showed up. They were each awarded a year each. Another legend says that Lord Buddha had invited all the animals on his last day on the Earth and only these 12 showed up, making them an integral part of the Chinese calendar. They were awarded the years depending upon the order of their arrival, i.e. rat, ox, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and boar.
Compatibility Chart
The table below shows the compatibility among the Chinese Signs on a scale of 1 (less compatible) to 10 (more compatible).
12 Sign Chart
Stems are named by the Yin-Yang (Odd and Even) and Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth). The Stem sequence order is Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water and Yin Water.
This way of naming years within a 60-year cycle goes back approximately 2,000 years. A similar naming of days and months has fallen into disuse, but the date name is still listed in calendars. It is customary to number the 60-year cycles since 2637 BC, when the calendar was supposedly invented. In that year, the first 60-year cycle started.