Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the ecliptic, the
apparent path of the Sun across the heavens through the constellations
that divide the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude.
The zodiac is recognized as the first known celestial coordinate system.
Babylonian astronomers developed the zodiac of eighteen signs.
The Mayans used twenty signs. The term zodiac comes from the Latin.
From the Greek zodiakos kyklos, meaning circle of animals, derived from,
the diminutive of animal. The American Heritage Dictionary 1970 derives the
word further from Indo European gwei, to live. Zoe, life is listed as the
suffixed form of this Indo European word.
The classical Greek zodiac also includes signs also constellations that are
not represented by animals, Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini, and for
some Libra. Another suggested etymology is that the Greek term is cognate
with the Sanskrit sodi, denoting a path, the path through which the Sun travels.
The well trodden no pun intended story of the Chinese zodiac is cute,
but a bit trite. The tale usually begins with the Jade Emperor, or Buddha,
depending on the teller, who summoned all the animals of the universe for
a race, or a banquet, depending on the teller. The 12 animals of the zodiac
all headed to the palace. The order that they came in determined the order
of the zodiac.
The Chinese Zodiac used to be a way of counting the years. After
development of thousands of years, the Chinese Zodiac becomes a kind
of astrology. Chinese astrology is based on a twelve year lunar cycle.
Each of the 12 years is presented by an animal. Which animal you belong
to is determined by the year in which you were born. To be accurate about
your born year, you must use a Chinese calendar.
Each sign is ascribed a set of attributes the Chinese believe comprise the
nature of each particular animal.
Some scholars believe that the origin of
Chinese Astrology is from the zootheism. The 12 animals in Chinese Zodiac
are all related closely to human life. Half of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals
live with human: ox, sheep, horse, pig, dog and Rooster. Five of them are
related closely to human life: tiger, rabbit, monkey, rat and snake. And the last
one the symbol of the spirit of China the dragon.
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