Chinese Astrology ALL EXPLAINED

Chinese astrology, rooted in traditional Chinese astronomy and the Chinese calendar, reached its zenith during the Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD). It is deeply intertwined with Chinese philosophy, specifically the theory of the three harmonies: heaven, earth, and human. Central to this philosophy are the principles of yin and yang, the wuxing (five phases), the ten Heavenly Stems, and the twelve Earthly Branches.

Unlike Western (European) Astrology, which primarily focuses on the positions of celestial bodies at the time of birth, Chinese astrology is more concerned with the flow of time and its impact on individuals and events. It employs a lunisolar calendar, which combines elements of both the lunar and solar calendars, and also incorporates time calculation based on year, month, day, and shichen (時辰), a concept similar to the Western notion of double hour.

The wuxing, or five phases, are fundamental to Chinese astrology and are linked to the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each phase represents a different aspect of life and is associated with specific characteristics and qualities. The ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches, meanwhile, form a cycle of sixty years, with each year being represented by a combination of one Stem and one Branch.

Overall, Chinese astrology offers a unique and holistic approach to understanding the universe and its influence on human life. It is a complex system that reflects the rich cultural heritage and philosophical traditions of China.

During the Han period, a significant convergence of traditional Chinese cultural elements occurred, including the philosophical tenets of yin-yang, the theory of the five elements (Wuxing), and the concepts of heaven and earth. These were interwoven with the moral philosophies of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This amalgamation was instrumental in formalizing the philosophical foundations of Chinese medicine, divination, astrology, and alchemy.

The five classical planets, which are Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn, were associated with the Wuxing:

Venus was linked to Metal (symbolized by the White Tiger).
Jupiter was associated with Wood (represented by the Azure Dragon).
Mercury corresponded to Water (depicted by the Black Tortoise).
Mars was connected to Fire (symbolized by the Vermilion Bird, possibly also the Phoenix, an imperial symbol alongside the Dragon).
Saturn was linked to Earth (represented by the Yellow Dragon).

According to Chinese astrology, an individual’s destiny could be determined by the positions of the major planets, along with the positions of the Sun, Moon, comets, the time of birth, and the zodiac sign. The system of the twelve-year cycle of animal signs was established based on observations of Jupiter’s orbit, also known as the Year Star (Suìxīng). Chinese astronomers divided the celestial circle into 12 sections, each corresponding to a year, and rounded it to 12 years, as Jupiter’s actual orbit takes approximately 11.86 years. Jupiter is associated with the constellation Sheti (摄提; 攝提- Boötes) and is sometimes referred to as Sheti.

A method for calculating one’s predetermined destiny, known as zi wei dou shu (紫微斗数; 紫微斗數; zǐwēidǒushù) or Purple Star Astrology, remains a central practice in contemporary Chinese astrology. This method takes into account an individual’s birthday, birth season, and birth hour to divine their fortune. It is a system that has been preserved and utilized for its accuracy and relevance in modern-day Chinese culture.

The 28 Chinese constellations, known as Xiu (宿; xiù), form the backbone of this astrological system. These constellations are distinct from Western constellations, with each having its own unique symbolism and significance. For example, the constellation corresponding to the Big Bear (Ursa Major) in Western astrology is called Dou (斗; dǒu) in Chinese astrology. Similarly, the belt of Orion is referred to as Shen (参; 參; shēn) and is associated with the “Happiness, Fortune, Longevity” trio of demigods. The seven northern constellations, collectively known as Xuan Wu (玄武; xuánwǔ), are particularly revered in Taoist belief. Xuan Wu is regarded as the spirit of the northern sky or the spirit of water, embodying profound spiritual and elemental significance.

Overall, Purple Star Astrology is a comprehensive and intricate system that reflects the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Chinese people. It continues to be an important tool for understanding and navigating life’s challenges in contemporary Chinese society.

Luni-Solar Calendar

The 60-year cycle in Chinese astrology is comprised of two separate but interrelated cycles. The first cycle is the one of the ten heavenly stems, which are the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) in their yin and yang forms. The second cycle is the one of the twelve zodiac animal signs (生肖 shēngxiào), also known as Earthly Branches. These signs are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. *In Vietnamese astrology, the Rabbit is replaced by the Cat.

The combination of these two cycles creates the 60-year cycle, which is the least common multiple of the two cycles. This cycle begins with Yang Water Rat and ends with Yin Water Pig. Because the zodiac animal cycle of 12 is divisible by two, each zodiac sign can only occur as either yin or yang. For example, the Dragon is always yang, and the Snake is always yin.

To determine the element associated with a particular year, one can follow a simple rule based on the last digit of the year. If the year ends in an even number, it is yang, and if it ends in an odd number, it is yin. The elements associated with each year are as follows:

Yang Metal for years ending in 0
Yin Metal for years ending in 1
Yang Water for years ending in 2
Yin Water for years ending in 3
Yang Wood for years ending in 4
Yin Wood for years ending in 5
Yang Fire for years ending in 6
Yin Fire for years ending in 7
Yang Earth for years ending in 8
Yin Earth for years ending in 9

However, the switch-over date from one year to the next in the Chinese zodiac is not January 1, as in the Gregorian calendar, but rather the Chinese New Year. This means that individuals born in January or early February may have the sign of the previous year. For example, someone born in January 1970 would have the element Yin Earth, not Yang Metal. Similarly, the year 1990 was the year of the Horse, but anyone born from January 1 to January 26, 1990, was actually born in the Year of the Snake, because the Year of the Horse did not begin until January 27, 1990.

The start of a new zodiac year is celebrated on Chinese New Year along with many other customs and traditions.

Wuxing

The term ‘element’ in the context of Chinese astrology is usually translated from the Chinese word xing (行), which does not have a direct equivalent in Western languages. Xing can be interpreted as ‘changing states of being’, ‘permutations’, or ‘metamorphoses of being’. This distinction is significant because it highlights a fundamental difference between the Chinese and Western concepts of ‘elements’.

In Western thought, elements are typically understood as the basic building blocks of matter, often seen as static or stationary. This perspective is evident in the ancient Greek and Indian Vedic traditions, as well as in Japanese Go dai elements. In contrast, the Chinese ‘elements’ are perceived as dynamic and ever-changing. The transliteration of xing is often described as ‘the five changes’, and in traditional Chinese medicine, they are commonly referred to as ‘phrases’.

The associations of each xing are as follows:

Wood (木 mù): Spring, East, Wind, Green, Azure Dragon, Jupiter
Fire (火 huǒ): Summer, South, Heat, Red, Vermilion Bird, Mars
Earth (土 tǔ): Change of seasons, Center, Humidity, Yellow, Yellow Dragon, Saturn
Metal (金 jīn): Autumn, West, Dryness, White, White Tiger, Venus
Water (水 shuǐ): Winter, North, Cold, Black, Black Tortoise, Mercury

These associations reflect the dynamic nature of the Chinese ‘elements’, which are understood not as static substances but as qualities or phases that change and interact with each other in a continuous cycle. This understanding is fundamental to many aspects of Chinese philosophy and culture, including Chinese astrology and traditional Chinese medicine.

I Ching

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is a profound ancient Chinese divination text that contains 64 hexagrams, each representing a specific combination of six stacked horizontal lines. These lines are known as “yáo” in Chinese and can be either Yang (unbroken, solid lines) or Yin (broken, open lines with a gap in the center). Traditionally, the lines are counted from the bottom up, with the lowest line being considered line one and the top line being line six.

Hexagrams are formed by combining the original eight trigrams in various combinations. Each hexagram is accompanied by a description, often in the form of cryptic parables, which provide insight into the symbolic meaning and interpretation of the hexagram. Similarly, each line within a hexagram is also given a description that contributes to the overall message and guidance provided by the hexagram.

In Chinese, the word for hexagram is “guà” (卦), which is also the term used for trigram. This dual meaning reflects the fundamental role that trigrams play in the formation of hexagrams and the interconnected nature of the I Ching’s symbolic system.

The Trigrams of the I Ching

The six trigrams of the I Ching are symbolic representations of fundamental elements and forces in the universe. Each trigram consists of three lines, which can be either broken (yin) or unbroken (yang), and each trigram has its own unique interpretation and meaning.

Heaven: This trigram is formed by three unbroken lines, representing the ultimate creative force in the universe. It symbolizes masculinity, fatherhood, and the expansive nature of the heavens.
Earth: The counterbalance to Heaven, Earth’s trigram is formed by three broken lines, representing receptivity, feminine energy, and motherhood. It symbolizes the nurturing and grounding aspects of life.
Wind: This trigram represents a soft, gentle, and persistent pressure. It lacks the raw power of thunder but makes up for it with consistency. In certain contexts, it can represent the oldest daughter in a family.
Water: The Water trigram symbolizes darkness, mystery, and ever-changing nature. It is associated with the moon and often signifies shifts in the status quo.
Thunder: This powerful trigram is filled with energy and mystery. It represents the movement of power, changing dynamics, and the energy behind new plans and initiatives.
Fire: Fire is seen as a positive force in Chinese philosophy, symbolizing life-giving energy and reliability. In some contexts, it can represent the second-born daughter.
Mountain: The Mountain trigram is fixed and unmovable, symbolizing eternal stability. In certain contexts, it can represent the third-born son.
Lake: Serene and peaceful, the Lake trigram evokes calmness and tranquility. It may represent the third-born daughter in some contexts.

Each trigram has its own unique characteristics and associations, and the combination of these trigrams in the I Ching forms the basis of the divination system and philosophy of the Book of Changes.

CHINESE HOROSCOPE

2024 Year of The Wood Dragon CHINESE HOROSCOPE

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