The myth behind the Chinese zodiac - Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

Summary

This script explains the origins and significance of the Chinese zodiac, also known as shēngxiào. It narrates the myth of the Great Race, where 12 animals competed to secure a place in the zodiac, influencing the order of the years. Each animal is associated with one of the Twelve Earthly Branches, while the elements and yīn-yáng attributes form a 60-year cycle. It highlights variations in other cultures, such as Vietnam and Thailand, and offers insights into how these symbols reflect cultural values, whether or not individuals believe in their personal zodiac traits.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Western astrology uses constellations based on your birth date, while Chinese astrology assigns an animal to your birth year.
• 🐀 The Great Race myth explains the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac, where the rat won by tricking the ox.
• 🐉 The dragon, despite being able to fly across the river, helped others along the way and placed fifth in the race.
• 🐍 The snake cleverly snuck ahead of the horse, securing sixth place in the zodiac order.
• 🐏 The sheep, monkey, and rooster worked together to cross the river on a raft, showing the importance of teamwork.
• 🐶 The dog, a strong swimmer, spent too much time playing in the water and only came in eleventh.
• 🐖 The pig was the last animal, delayed by eating and napping but still securing the twelfth and final spot.
• 🌀 The Chinese zodiac uses a 60-year cycle, combining the twelve animals with the five classical elements and yin/yang.
• 🌳 Each zodiac animal is linked to an element (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) and either yin or yang, creating 60 unique combinations.
• 🌍 Different cultures have adapted the zodiac: in Vietnam, the cat replaces the rabbit, and in Thailand, the Naga replaces the dragon.

Q & A

What is the Western concept of astrological signs based on?

In Western astrology, astrological signs are based on constellations determined by when one's birthday falls in the calendar.

How does the Chinese zodiac differ from Western astrology?

The Chinese zodiac, or shēngxiào, assigns an animal sign to one's birth year, known as shǔxiàng.

What is the Great Race myth in the context of the Chinese zodiac?

The Great Race is a myth explaining the order of the Chinese zodiac animals, where the Jade Emperor organized a race and the first twelve animals to cross the river earned a spot on the zodiac calendar.

Why did the rat ask for help in the Great Race story?

The rat, being small and not a good swimmer, asked for help from larger animals to cross the river in the Great Race.

Which animal helped the rat cross the river in the story?

The ox, known for its kind-hearted nature, agreed to carry the rat across the river.

What was the outcome of the rat's trick on the ox in the Great Race?

The rat jumped off the ox's head just before reaching the other side of the river, securing first place for itself.

Why did the dragon, who could fly, not come in first place in the Great Race?

The dragon stopped to help some creatures encountered on the way, which delayed its arrival.

How did the snake manage to get ahead of the horse in the race?

The snake slithered by just as the horse crossed the river, startling the horse and allowing the snake to sneak into sixth place.

What did the sheep, monkey, and rooster do to cross the river?

The sheep, monkey, and rooster worked together on a raft to push through the weeds and cross the river.

Why did the dog only come in eleventh place in the Great Race?

The dog, a great swimmer, frolicked in the water for so long that it only managed to come in eleventh place.

What is the significance of the number 60 in the Chinese zodiac system?

The traditional Chinese calendar combines the Twelve Earthly Branches with the Ten Heavenly Stems to create a 60-year cycle known as a sexagenary cycle or gānzhī.

How does the Chinese zodiac system incorporate the five classical elements?

Each of the five classical elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) is assigned yīn or yáng, creating a ten-year cycle that, when combined with the twelve animals, forms the 60-year cycle.

What are the Inner Animal, True Animal, and Secret Animal in Chinese astrology?

These are additional animal signs based on one's birth month, birth date, and birth hour, respectively, providing more detailed astrological readings.

How have other cultures adapted the Chinese zodiac?

Other cultures, such as Vietnam and Thailand, have made changes to the zodiac to reflect their communities, such as replacing the rabbit with a cat or the dragon with a Naga.