The 12 zodiac signs, also known as the zodiac, are 12 animals in China that match the 12 earthly branches with the year of birth of a person, including rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The origin of the 12 zodiac signs is related to animal worship, and the earliest hand-me-down document that records the same 12 zodiac signs as in modern times is the "Treatise on Balance" by Wang Chong of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
The 12 zodiac signs are the figurative representatives of the 12 earthly branches, with the development of history gradually integrated into the concept of folk beliefs, reflected in marriage, life, fortune, etc., each zodiac has a rich legend, and in this way to form a concept interpretation system, become the image philosophy in folk culture, such as the marriage on the zodiac, temple prayer, natal year, etc.
1. The symbol of the divinity of the zodiac.
Each zodiac animal has its own special symbol of the Godhead, which represents people's expectations and sustenance in life. Here's a brief rundown of the godhead symbols for each zodiac sign:
Rat: The Rat is the first of the 12 zodiac signs and symbolizes wisdom, flexibility, alertness, wealth, and prosperity. The rat has a strong reproductive ability and is a symbol of fertility worship. Rats are also an important part of agricultural civilization and are the patron saints of food. People born in the Year of the Rat are generally intelligent, witty, curious, creative, and socially competent.
Ox: The ox is the second of the zodiac signs and symbolizes hard work, perseverance, loyalty, patience, and dedication. Cattle are the main force in agricultural production, and their influence on agricultural civilization is extraordinary. The ox is also a symbol of sacrifice and contribution, and is an important livestock for sacrifice. People born in the Year of the Ox are usually hardworking, down-to-earth, steady, reliable, and responsible.
Tiger: The tiger is the third sign of the zodiac and symbolizes bravery, strength, domineering, and majesty. The tiger is the king of all beasts, and it is a divine beast that drives away evil spirits and disasters. The tiger is also a symbol of martial arts and military affairs, and is a symbol of samurai and generals. People born in the Year of the Tiger are usually brave, confident, decisive, leadership, and competitive.
Rabbit: The rabbit is the fourth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes gentleness, grace, sensitivity, and beauty. The rabbit is the embodiment of the moon and a symbol of longevity and happiness. The rabbit is also a symbol of peace and mediation, and was loved by literati and artists alike. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are usually gentle, urbane, intelligent, artistically gifted, and adaptable.
Dragon: The dragon is the fifth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes sacredness, honor, change, and luck. The dragon is the quintessence of China and the symbol of the nation, and is the symbol of emperors and heroes. The dragon is also the master of water and rain, a symbol of abundance and wealth. People born in the Year of the Dragon are usually temperamental, charismatic, talented, creative, and influential.
Snake: The snake is the sixth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes wisdom, mystery, spirituality, and insight. The snake is a symbol of change and regeneration, a symbol of medicine and divination. The snake is also a symbol of beauty and **, a symbol of love and desire. People born in the Year of the Snake are usually intelligent, perceptive, deep, charismatic, and ambitious.
Horse: The horse is the seventh of the zodiac signs and symbolizes freedom, vitality, joy, and progress. Horses are a tool of transportation and communication, a companion for travel and adventure. The horse is also a symbol of victory and honor, a symbol of heroes and heroes. People born in the Year of the Horse are usually cheerful, enthusiastic, optimistic, adventurous, and enterprising.
Sheep: The sheep is the eighth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes meekness, kindness, harmony, and virtue. Sheep are an important part of pastoral civilization and are animals that provide meat, milk, fur and skin. The sheep is also a symbol of auspiciousness and auspiciousness, a symbol of sacrifice and prayer. People born in the Year of the Goat are usually gentle, kind, kind, compassionate, and artistic.
Monkey: The monkey is the ninth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes wit, dexterity, intelligence, and curiosity. Monkeys are close relatives of humans and are masters of imitation and learning. The monkey is also a symbol of humor and joy, a symbol of entertainment and games. People born in the Year of the Monkey are usually smart, flexible, intelligent, creative, and curious.
Rooster: The Rooster is the tenth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes diligence, bravery, integrity, and self-confidence. The rooster is the messenger of the dawn and the old one, and is a symbol of time and order. The chicken is also a symbol of beauty and pride, a symbol of martial arts and struggle. People born in the Year of the Rooster are usually hardworking, courageous, upright, confident, and responsible.
Dog: The dog is the eleventh of the zodiac signs and symbolizes loyalty, friendliness, protection, and trust. Dogs are man's most loyal friends, guards and guards. The dog is also a symbol of loyalty and benevolence, a symbol of law and justice. People born in the Year of the Dog are usually loyal, friendly, protective, trusting, and have a sense of justice.
Pig: The pig is the twelfth of the zodiac signs and symbolizes abundance, easy-goingness, honesty, and luck. Pigs are an important part of agricultural civilization and are animals that provide meat, oil, and skin. The pig is also a symbol of wealth and auspiciousness, a symbol of festivals and celebrations. People born in the Year of the Pig are usually wealthy, easy-going, honest, lucky, and patient.
2. The zodiac is not only the traditional culture of China, but also the common culture of East and Southeast Asia. The cultural influence of the zodiac is reflected in the following aspects:
Calendar: The 12 zodiac signs are an important part of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is a cadre-branch chronology with a cycle of 12 years. The 12 zodiac signs are matched with the 12 earthly branches, forming 60 stem branches such as Jiazi, Yichou, and Bingyin, which are used to represent the year, month, date, and hour. The calendar of the zodiac is also adopted by Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia, and other countries and regions.
Art: The zodiac is an important theme of traditional Chinese art, and it is a plastic art based on animals. The art forms of the zodiac are diverse, including carving, painting, paper cutting, embroidery, ceramics, jade, gold and silverware, etc. The artwork of the zodiac signs not only has aesthetic value, but also symbolism and cultural connotation.
Customs: The 12 zodiac signs are an important part of traditional Chinese customs, which are folk beliefs and customs dominated by animals. The customs of the zodiac are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Zodiac Signs: Zodiac signs refer to the 12 zodiac signs corresponding to the year of birth of a person, and are a symbol of a person's fate and character. Zodiac signs have a certain influence on marriage, interpersonal relationships, careers, etc., such as the conjunction, the opposition of the genus, and the harm of the genus. It is also a way for people to greet and understand each other, such as asking, "What do you belong to?" ”
Natal year: The natal year refers to the year in which the zodiac signs corresponding to the year of birth are repeated, and it is the most important year in a person's life. The natal year is generally considered unlucky, requiring the wearing of red items or the practice of praying for good fortune in order to ward off bad luck and attract good luck. The natal year is also a turning point in life, an opportunity to re-examine yourself and plan for the future.
Temple fair: Temple fair refers to a folk event in which people gather in temples or streets during the Spring Festival to carry out sacrifices, amusements, shopping, performances and other activities. There are often 12 zodiac signs or performances at temple fairs, such as clay sculptures of the 12 zodiac signs, lion dances of the 12 zodiac signs, lanterns of the 12 zodiac signs, etc. Temple fairs are a way for people to celebrate festivals, pray for safety, show off their talents, and exchange information.
The cultural significance of the zodiac is not only in its history and art, but also in its reality and future, it is a vivid figurative philosophy that can help people understand themselves and others, and can also stimulate creativity and imagination.