Chinese Zodiac

Year of the rabbit pendant

My grandma, born in the year of the dragon, next to the dragon statue at The Thean Hou Temple

Growing up I never knew much about Chinese zodiac except for how it directly pertained to me. I knew that I was born in the year of the rabbit and that my brothers were born in the year of the snake and sheep/goat. I also knew that my grandfather and my mother would argue about whether or not her birthday fell on the year of the dragon or the year of the rabbit, as her birthday is in January.

I remember being younger and my mom telling me the reason why my youngest brother was stubborn was because he is born in the year of the goat or that my parents were compatible because of their zodiac.

In Chinese culture the zodiac is significant for many reasons. It was used as a way to date years in the cycle and the zodiac is an important aspect of stories passed down from generation to generation. Every animal within the zodiac has personality traits and with that come superstitions on relationships and different social aspects such as who can be trusted or who you are compatible with.

Chinese Zodiac