12ChineseZodiacSigns: Dates, Zodiac Names, Images Explained
1. Background
In ancient Chinese cultural traditions, the 12 zodiac animals, or the 12 earthly clades, play an important role. They are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, and each year is associated with one of the zodiac signs, and the cycle repeats. These zodiac signs are not just markers of time, but also incorporate people’s understanding of nature and the universe, reflecting deep cultural connotations.
2. Zodiac and date correspondence table
The correspondence of the zodiac signs to the Gregorian calendar year is listed below:
|zodiac|corresponding year|time range|
|——|———|———-|
2020|Gregorian New Year to the beginning of spring of the following year|
|Ox|2021|Ibid.|
|Tiger|Spring Festival of the first year after the Spring Festival of the Gregorian calendar to the next year|Same as above|…… And so on until the end of the Year of the Pig. The cycle of each zodiac sign lasts about once every two years, and the cycle repeats. Every 12 months is a zodiac sign. But there are certain rules to follow in the months represented by each zodiac. For example, the first month of the lunar calendar usually corresponds to the Zodiac Rat, and February corresponds to the Ox. The exact date depends on the lunar calendar. In the traditional Chinese calendar, it is called the Zodiac Hour System, and its detailed year conversion is closely related to the Chinese lunar calendarSiêu Sao. To accurately determine the year to which the zodiac belongs, it is also necessary to refer to the lunar calendar. Each zodiac sign has its own unique symbolism and personality traits. For example, people born in the Year of the Rat are smart and witty, those born in the Year of the Ox are resilient, etc. However, it should be noted that there is no scientific support for the theory of the zodiac. 3. Analysis of the meaning and characteristics of the name of the zodiacNext, explain the meaning behind the name of each zodiac sign and the characteristics it symbolizes. Of course, the most well-known are the characteristics of the zodiac animals, but in addition to the basic characteristics, there are some cultural connotations that we need to understand and explore: the rat, which is regarded as a symbol of wisdom and aura, and people born in its year are generally very shrewd. The ox is a symbol of hard work in traditional Chinese culture, and people born in this year are usually down-to-earth and hardworking. Tiger, the representative of courage and might, people born in the Year of the Tiger have a brave and decisive personality. Rabbit, docile and cute, people born in this year tend to have a gentle personality. The dragon is one of the symbols of the Chinese nation, and people born in the year of the dragon are often considered to have extraordinary talent and leadership skills. The serpent, a symbol of wisdom and mystery. The horse, a spiritual symbol of galloping, represents vitality and enthusiasm. Sheep are often seen as a symbol of gentleness. Monkey, a symbol of witty and active characters. The chicken, a symbol of vigilance and diligence. The dog, a symbol of loyalty and protection. Pig, a symbol of industriousness and kindness. Each zodiac sign has its own unique cultural connotations and symbolic meanings. Fourth, the analysis of zodiac imagesEach zodiac has its own unique image characteristics and cultural symbols. For example, the image of a rat is usually a lively and cute little mouse; The image of a cow is a sturdy ploughing cow, etc. Each image is a vivid visual representation and cultural carrier, representing a traditional image with profound meaning and a source of inspiration for artistic creation. 5. ConclusionThe zodiac is one of the important parts of traditional Chinese culture, which carries people’s unique understanding of the universe and nature and their yearning for a better life. By understanding the historical background and cultural connotations of the 12 zodiac signs, we can have a deeper understanding of the breadth and depth of traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, it also reminds us to keep an open mind and an inclusive attitude in our daily lives to understand and accept different cultural practices and traditional beliefs.