The traditional Chinese calendar is based on the solar and lunar cycles, in which lunar cycle being the more popular. The cycle of years is derived from the age old sexageanarian cycle of 60 days which has been applied to years instead of days. This basic cycle has been  constructed from two cycles: the 10 heavenly stems and the 12 earthly branches. The heavenly stems which consist of five elements were enlarged by binary Yin and Yang cycle into a cycle of 10. The combination creates a 60-year cycle.

The twelve earthly branches that take second positions. They are represented by animal symbols, namely in order:

shiu : rat

niu : Ox

hu : Tiger

tu : Rabbit

long : Dragon

she : Snake

ma : Horse

yang : Sheep

hou : Monkey

ji : Chicken

gou : Dog

zhu : Pig

According to Legend, the Chinese calendar was developed during the third millennium BC by the first legendary ruler, Huang Di or the Yellow Emperor, who reigned circa 2698-2599 BC.

In traditioal Chinese philosophy, natural phenomena can be classified into the Five Elements and the ancient Chinese astronomers associated the five major planets by the names of the element: Venus corresponds to Metal (gold); Jupiter to Wood; Mercury to Water; Mars to Five; Saturn to Earth. According to Chinese Astrology the position of these planets, along with the positions of the Sun, the Moon, comets, as well as time of birth and Zodiac Sign can determine a person's destiny.

Chinese astrology as it is known today is the divination of the future from the Chinese calendar, particularly its 12 yer cycle animals, referred to as the Chinese Zodiac. This fortune telling system: the Zodiaz, the five elements of Chinese thought, calendrical cycles based on astronomy, and  ancient Chinese religion. There is also a binary Yin Yang cycle, which enlarges the five elements cycle into a cycle of 10. Even years are yang, odd years are yin. This combination creates a 60-year cycle, starting with Wood rat and ending with Water Pig. The current cycle began in the year 1984 (Year of The Wood Rat) and will end in 2004 (Year of The Water Pig).

The five elements are associated with certain character or matters. These elements were used for describing interactions and realationships between phenomena. The term is also translated as “five going” or “five steps”. The following associations are among many others and described in the following order: heavenly creature, direction, season, planet, taste, sense, colour, and musical note.

ü  Metal associates with Withe Tiger, West, Autumn Venus, spicy, taste, white, re (shang)

ü  Wood associates with Azure Dragon, east, Spring, Jupiter, sour, sight, green or blue, mi (jue)

ü  Water associates with Black Tortoise, North, Winter, Mercury, salty, touch, black, la (yu)

ü  Fire associates with Vermilion Bird, South, Summer, Mars, bitter, sound, red, so (zhi)

ü  Earth associates with Yellow Dragon/Qilin, Center, Change of season (four time a year), Saturn, sweet, mell, yellow, do (gong).

 In the Chinese Astrology, the characters of Individuals are associated with the animal representing the zodiza. each year in the 60-year cycle represents an animal symbol with one of the five elements. It is elaborated further that every person has inner animal (determines by the month of birth) and secret animal (determines by the birth time which is divided into 12 time sequence), therefore there will be 8,640 probabilities (5 elements, 12 zodiac symbols, 12 months, 12 time divisions).

There are many legends to explain the beginning of the zodiac. one of the most popular reads that when the Buddha was going to ascend Nirvana, he summoned all the animals on earth. Apparently only 12 showed up. Those 12 animals were used to represent the zodiac signs in Chinese astrology.   

Another version says that the Rat was given a task by Jade Emperor to invite the animals to participate in a race for selecting zodiac signs. The Cat and the Rat were actually very good friends once, and they decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river was to hop on the back of the Ox. The Ox agreed to carry them across. However, when the Ox almost reached the river bank, the Rat promptly pushed the Cat into the river. Because of this, the Cat had never forgiven the Rat, and hated the water.  

After the Ox had crossed the river, the Rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first, and he claimed the first place in the race (1st zodiac sign). Following closely behind was the strong Ox(2 nd zodiac). After the Ox, came the Tiger (3rd animal), panting away while explaining to the Emperor just how difficult it was to cross the river with the heavy currents pushing him downstream. Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping sound nd out pop the Rabbit (4th animal).

Coming in 5th place was the gallant Dragon, flying and belching fire into the air. The Emperor was curious as to why a strong and flying creature such as the Dragon should fail to reach first. The Dragon explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, therefore he was held back a little. Then, appeared the Horse with a galloping sound. Hidden on the Horse's hoof is the slimy sneaky Snake whose sudden appearance gave the Horse a fright thus making it fall back and gave the Snake 6th spot whilst the Horse took the 7th.

Not long after that, the Ram, Monkey and Rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to the palace. Because of their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named them as the 8th, 9th, and 10th. Although the Dog was supposed to be the best swimmer, he came as the 11th animal because he took a good bath after a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was too big a temptation. Just as the Emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little Pig. He came as the last because he got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast then fell asleep. The Cat who finished after the Pig could not win any place in the cycle and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.

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