Mandarin Monday: The Wild World of Chinese Zodiac Signs
With the passing of another year, it can be easy to get caught up in the celebrations without actually stopping to think about what the Year of the Dog may mean to you and your loved ones. Seeing as China's ancient philosophers had their own givings on how astrological signs affect people's personality and behavior, it's best to wise-up on Chinese zodiac signs so you can better know what lies ahead (or at least call BS when you dodge all of your predicted pitfalls).
Rather than dividing each year into 12 zodiac signs (星座 xīngzuò) as is done in the west, the Chinese zodiac (生肖 shēngxiāo) represent each lunar year, combined to create a 12-year cycle. The Chinese zodiac signs are represented by 12 animals, starting with the Rat, and followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
According to the ancient folk story, the Jade Emperor set a task among the animals in his kingdom in which they had to race to a meeting point and the first 12 animals to arrive would represent 12 the lunar months of the year. The tale is full of feuds and trickery, for example, the rat and the cat began as friends but the cat had problems getting out of bed at any reasonable time and so it asked the rat to wake it up prior to the competition. The rat promised to do so but then promptly snuck out without telling the cat, leaving it to sleep on and fail the competition. The rat, upon his return to the house, woke the cat up to brag about its win, angering the cat so much that it ate the rat, and thus igniting the age-old rivalry.
Asking someone's zodiac can also be a polite way to ask how old someone is given that once you know someone's sign, you can roughly guess their age.
Also, despite what you might think, people often say that if it is your animal year (本命年 běnmìng nián) you are likely to face more challenges or troubles than usual (on your 12th, 24th, 36th 48th, 60th, 72nd, 84th, 96th birthday etc.). In order to banish any particularly inauspicious occurrences, it's important to wear red clothing through the entire year.
Ok, let’s start with some examples of what you should say if someone asks your zodiac.
What’s your Chinese zodiac? 你属什么？ Nǐ shǔ shénme?
I am a Rat/Ox/Tiger/Rabbit/Dragon/Snake/Horse/Goat/ Monkey/Rooster/Dog/Pig。 我属鼠/牛/虎/兔/龙/蛇/马/羊/猴/鸡/狗/猪。Wǒ shǔ shǔ/niú/hǔ/tù/lóng/shé/mǎ/yáng/hóu/jī/gǒu/zhū.
It is my zodiac year. 今年是我的本命年，我决定喝一整年红色艾尔啤酒。Jīnnián shì wǒde běnmìng nián, wǒ juédìng hē yī zhěngnián hóng sè àiěr píjiǔ.
Hurry up! I’m going to Uniqlo to buy red undies! 快点！我要去优衣库买红内裤！Kuàidiǎn! Wǒ yàoqù yōuyīkù mǎi hóng nèikù!
I don’t believe this red bracelet will keep evil away. 我不相信这条红手链能辟邪。Wǒ bú xiàngxìn zhè tiáo hóng shǒuliàn néng bìxié.
Are you kidding me? I have to wear red every day for a year? 你开玩笑吧，我要穿一整年红色？Nǐ kāi wánxiào ba, wǒ yào chuān yī zhěng nián hóngsè?
It looks stupid to wear red trainers, but I'll happily accept a red packet (hóngbāo). 穿红色运动鞋太傻了，但我能接受红包。Chuān hóngsè yùndòngxié tài shǎ le, dàn wǒ néng jiēshòu bèi hóngbāo.
For the lovebirds out there, there are also many theories regarding who would suit your zodiac year best as well as what your zodiac says about you. Check the compatibility chart below to see if s/he is the one.
It’s not you, it’s your sign! Dog doesn’t match Dragon, sorry … 这不是你的问题，是你的生肖的问题！上面说属狗的和属龙的不搭，对不起。Zhè búshì nǐ de wè tí, shì nǐde shēngxiāo de wèntí! Shàng miàn shuō shǔ gǒu de hé shǔ lóng de bú dā, duì bú qǐ.
We are both horses; it’s a perfect match! 我们都是属马的，是天作之合！Wǒmen dōu shì shǔ mǎ de, shì tiān zuò zhī hé!
I was born in 1989, I am a Snake, so I should therefore look for a Snake, a Rooster, or an Ox. 我出生在1989年，我属龙，我应该找属蛇/鸡/牛的人。Wǒ chūshēng zài 1989 nián, wǒ shǔ lóng, wǒ yīng gāi zhǎo shǔ shé/jī/niú de rén.
I’d like to have a Dragon baby, it sounds cool! 我想生一个龙宝宝，听上去很酷！Wǒ xiǎng shēng yīgè lóng bǎobǎo, tīng shàng qù hěnkù!
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Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
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Photos: powerofpositivity.com, freep.cn, atingbythesigns.info
