Chinese Astrology is a powerful ancient art. It's rules and ideas are quite simple for anyone to understand. The purpose of Chinese astrology is to help people achieve their goals through self awareness and continuous advances of the mind and soul. Through the study of a person's personal Chinese horoscope, important aspects of that person's personality and destiny can be revealed. Chinese Astrology can help you find your purpose on this planet and discover an appropriate and joyful way of life.

Let's look at some key components of the Chinese zodiac system which is based on a twelve-year astrological cycle (aligned with the sun and moon cycle). First of all, the Chinese astrology cycle is divided into five parts that represent the five magical universal elements according to the Chinese. These elements are:

• Metal
• Earth
• Fire
• Wood
• Water

The elements are a creation of the Chinese heavenly god who magically embedded them in Chinese Astrology and the Chinese Calendar.

Then the Chinese Horoscope cycle is enhanced with the divisions of the 12 Chinese horoscope signs that are represented by twelve carefully chosen animals. These are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The animals where not selected by luck, but each one of them is highly associated with the human culture and way of life. There's also a legend that explains in detail how the 12 animals where selected. According to the scriptures, the Chinese god of earth conducted a race between all the animals on planet earth. The first twelve animals to finish the race, would represent the astrological signs. The 12 Chinese horoscope signs shape the twelve-year cycle. When the year-cycle ends, a new one begins by repeating itself.

One more important component of the Chinese zodiac system is the idea of the Four Great Trines. According to the legend the Chinese Earthly God divided the 12 Chinese signs in four teams (Trines). The categorization was based on the characteristics of the Chinese signs. Each Trine has three animals which affects severely. As a result, here are the Four Trines:

• The First Trine (Rat, Dragon, Monkey)
• The Second Trine (Ox, Snake, Rooster)
• The Third Trine (Tiger, Horse, Dog)
• The Fourth Trine (Rabbit, Sheep, Pig)

Each team or Trine has its own characteristics to add to each of the three Chinese signs. These characteristics are a combination of the abilities of the three corresponding animals. How a Trine affects a person will be discussed on a future article.

Last but not least there is the cosmic and divine force that influences the entire Chinese astrology system. This force is well known to many people as The Yin and The Yang. The Yin represents the female and the Yang represents the male. Another interpretation claims that the Ying represents the Evil and the Yang represents the Good. When properly combined the Ying and Yang produce universal harmony and eternal balance. The combination of Yin and Yang is the secret power behind the Chinese Horoscope system.

So, these are the key elements of Chinese Astrology. I will not go into further details in this article but let's summarize:

• We have the five Chinese Astrology Elements which are universal and magical and these are: Metal, Earth, Fire, Wood and Water as ordered by the Chinese Heavenly God.
• Then we have the 12 Chinese horoscope signs which are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. as ordered by the Chinese Earthly God.
• Next here are the Four Great Trines each one with its own characteristics: The First Trine, The Second Trine, The Third Trine, The Fourth Trine.
• And lastly, we have the cosmic power named as Yin and Yang, that symbolizes the eternal harmony.

It is as simple as that to begin with. All these comprehensive ideas are carefully, strategically and magically mixed by the gods who created Chinese astrology to produce the entire Chinese Astrological System. Of course, one can go deeper and deeper into the meanings of these concepts and come up with unlimited combinations and interpretations of this system, but the basic components of Chinese Astrology are summed up as described above.

Understanding Chinese Astrology

Chinese astrology is more complicated than many people know, but it gives a correspondingly more insightful picture of the character of a person, and of the challenging and helpful influences in a person's life.

The Chinese New Year begins on the second New moon after the Winter Solstice. Each new year comes under the influence of an animal in the Chinese zodiac. Go Here to see details of each sign.