Western and chinese zodiac signs

Word zodiac has its root in Greek language and literally means "Animal Circle" and is divided in twelve categories or Sun signs as western astrology explains. These signs are symbols or it's better to say circles of growth and evolution throughout a cycle of life. Generally speaking, there’s a one huge circle that consists of twelve similar, but much smaller circles and any of this small circles represents movement of all elements under its influence.

Chinese zodiac is rather different than the western zodiac, and it's also called „Chinese Animal Astrology“. Chinese zodiac is represented with twelve animal signs (The Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar), the five elements (metal, water, wood, earth and fire) and the Yin-Yang theory.

Like most of you already know Chinese zodiac isn't divided by months like western but on a 12-year repeating cycle. Every sign of Chinese zodiac represents the year of birth, and not the month of the birth. Difference is also the fact that Chinese zodiac is based on movements of the Moon unlike the Western zodiac that has its roots in Sun's movements.

For more detailed description choose zodiac sign

Western zodiac:		Chinese zodiac:
	Aries (Ram)		Rat (Mouse)
	Taurus (Bull)		Ox (Cow)
	Gemini (Twins)		Tiger (Tiger)
	Cancer (Crab)		Rabbit (Hare, Cat)
	Leo (Lion)		Dragon (Dragon)
	Virgo (Virgin)		Snake (Snake)
	Libra (Scales)		Horse (Horse)
	Scorpio (Scorpion)		Sheep (Ram, Goat)
	Sagittarius (Archer)		Monkey (Monkey)
	Capricorn (Horned goat)		Rooster (Chicken, Phoenix)
	Aquarius (Water bearer)		Dog (Dog)
	Pisces (Fish)		Pig (Boar)

Calculate your western and chinese zodiac signs