In Chinese Astrology Ox Comes After Rat, and is the Sign for 2009 - By: Allan Michael Taylor

The Chinese have made use of constellations for over 3000 years for the purposes of astrology. In Chinese astrology Ox comes after Rat and this year, 2009 is the year of the Earth Ox. When Chinese astrology first began they names 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches, chiefly for chronological purposes to tell apart time and the season.

Later on in time, as so many Chinese people were illiterate animals became used by people to represent the 12 Earthly Branches, these are used today, and in order are: mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, in Chinese astrology, Ox is representative of 2009.

According to Chinese legend the zodiac animals originated from the fact that Buddha invites all the animals to his Chinese New Year celebrations and only these 12 turned up for the party. To honor these animals he named a year after each of them and people who are born for instance in the year of the Rat like I am, are supposed to display some of the traits of these animals.

In Chinese astrology, on top of the 12 animal signs we find element signs. These are wood, fire, water, earth, and metal, each of these is represented by a color, and these are respectively, green, red, black, brown and white. The elements are each placed on top of the animal zodiac signs and are indicative of the element they fall under during that year. For instance a "fire Dragon" or a Water Ox".

The elements are then arranged in a cycle of ten and combined with the binary Yin and Yang. Together with the animals and colors this forms a cycle of 60 years, with no animal appearing twice in either the Yin or the Yang years. The animals are divided by two and are either Yin or Yang. For instance a snake is Yin, while a dragon is Yang. We are currently in a 60 year cycle which commenced in 1984 and all Chinese astrology cycles begin with "wood rat" and end with "Water Pig".

In Chinese astrology, ox is the second zodiac animal. Like Rat, Ox signifies new beginnings. The difference being, Ox is chiefly associated with slow sure action. It is important to make good choices as long term consequences are attached Ox years. 2009 is an earth year and it is also a Yin year, so this could indicate less turmoil. It is however unfortunate that the fixed element for Ox it water, to which earth is destructive, and this is the fourth out of six years where elements have conflicted. It comes as very little surprise to Chinese Astrologers that there has been so much trouble in the world during these years.

About the Author

Henry Fong is a Feng Shui Master. To find out more on Feng Shui Bed Position, visit his web site at http://www.absolutelyfengshui.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Allan-Michael-Taylor/45501

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