Two names with one soul – The relationship of Chinese and western zodiac

Astrological charts can be read in many different ways owing to the cultural aspects of a place or circumstances. Among many such local zodiacs, the Chinese zodiac has gained immense popularity among many. The way Chinese zodiac works is very much similar to the Western zodiac. The number of signs, the way of classification is the same. The difference occurs when the basis of categorization is concerned. The western zodiac is classified into 12 different signs based on the arrangement of stars, also known as constellations. In the Chinese zodiac, the classification is done keeping a myth as the basis, according to which, god once conducted a race for all the animals. The twelve that came first in the race were chosen as the symbols of the zodiacs. The signs of western astrology are named as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. The signs of Chinese astrology are named as rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The date ranges over which a sign is named are almost the same in both methods.

Similarities and differences

The date ranges of classification go similarly in both the methods of astrology. But, there is a notable difference among the two, that is, the Chinese zodiac classifies based on the year of birth too. The Chinese zodiac says that two people born in the same year will have similar traits, which is in stark variation to the belief of western astrology. According to western astrology, people belonging to the same sign alone share common traits. Chinese astrology also considers other aspects while drawing one's astrological charts. The person’s birth hour, birth date, birth month and birth year are taken into consideration while drawing their natal charts. Chinese astrology has two ways to use it, depending on the astrologer’s expertise. While knowledgeable astrologers use the solar year astrological charts, a few use lunar astrological charts, which have a different beginning as compared to the western zodiac. The western zodiac is totally dependent on solar movements and planetary alignments relative to the sun.

The western astrology keeps its primary focus on the planetary alignments and two phases of the moon, which are the full moon and no moon. All other lunar aspects are not taken into consideration while making astrological predictions of the person. In Chinese astrology, contrary to this, the phases of the moon play a very important and prime role in deciding the astrology of a person. The nature of the moon at the time of birth will be the deciding factor to define the characteristics of a person. In Chinese astrology, five important elements are present, a combination of which are present in each zodiac sign. The elements are fire, earth, water, metal, and wood. Each element has its own qualities that are thought of as specific to the zodiac signs in Chinese astrology. In western astrology, only four elements play the dominant role. They are fire, water, earth, and air. The twelve zodiac signs are characterized into these four different types of signs, which are based on the elements of the same name. The signs are known to get their major qualities from these depictions. According to Chinese astrology, if the person’s sign at the time of their birth is the same as the yearly sign, they are known to offend the god of years thus giving them bad luck. It can be put in other words as, once in every twelve years, a sign will have a bad year or a year full of bad luck. Whatever be the prophecies behind the astrological signs and their readings, every horoscope always wishes a person with good luck to face the consequences strongly, without being saddened by the happenings.