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ENTITY explains the five Chinese zodiac elements.

Let’s be honest with ourselves.

We love horoscopes.

Who doesn’t search for their respective zodiac signs in every magazine? I know I’m not the only one who takes all those online zodiac quizzes that pop up on Facebook.

However, most of us are probably unfamiliar with our Chinese zodiac elements, which means for some of us there is a whole new horoscope just awaiting our perusal.

On the surface, the Chinese zodiac elements may appear somewhat more complicated than what we are used to. But don’t fret!  We did some research, and we are going to break down the five elements and what they may mean about your personality.

First things, first.

The first step to figuring out your horoscope is figuring out what animal you identify with based on the year you are born. The Chinese zodiac calendar operates on a 12 year cycle, each cycle starting with the year of the rat. The order exists as follows: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. Currently, we are in the Year of the Dog. The most recent cycle began in 2008.

Now onto the elements!

Unlike more typical zodiac signs, there exist five elements within Chinese astrology. These five elements are wood, water, fire, earth, and metal.

1 Wood

ENTITY breaks down the five Chinese zodiac elements.

According to Your Chinese Astrology, the characteristics most associated with wood signs are, gifted, idealist[], planner. Wood signs are assigned to those born in years that end in a four or a five (i.e. 2004, 2014). For those associated with a wood sign, the physical element of wood is considered to be lucky. In fact, much of Chinese astrology is linked to luck, and how best to optimize one’s luck. The animals most directly linked to the wood element are the tiger and the rabbit. For wood, the rabbit is linked to yin and the tiger is linked to yang.

However, this is where things become a little complicated. This is because all five elements exist within each individual animal sign. Therefore, you may be a wood rat based on the year you were born. This is indicative of your personality. However, your lucky element is the one your animal associates with first, in this care the tiger or the rabbit. A puzzle!

Chinese astrology goes so in depth as to prescribe each element a season, organs and even a taste. Wood, for instance, is tied to spring, the liver and a sour taste.

2 Water

ENTITY breaks down the five Chinese zodiac elements.

Water signs are known to be sympathetic, as well as being a perfectionist and a coordinator. You are a water sign if you were born in a year ending in a two or a three. It is also possible to be a water sign based on your zodiac animal. The two animals associated with water are the rat and the pig. In this case, the pig is considered yin and the rat is considered yang. For these animals, water is a lucky element, and thus should be incorporated into their lives as much as possible.

Each element is also given a color. For water, that color is black, interestingly enough. There is even a sound associated with each sign, water’s being groaning.

3 Fire

ENTITY breaks down the five Chinese zodiac elements.

Fire signs are described as courageous, passionate, good at research and even as a king. Imagine a crown of flames. That’s pretty nifty. You are considered linked to the fire sign if you were born in a year that ends in a six or a seven. The animals associated with the element of fire are the snake and the horse, the horse the yin sign and the snake the yang sign.

Other qualities assigned to the elements are smell, emotion and planets. For fire signs, the smell is scorched, which may seem just a tad on the nose. The emotion linked to fire signs is joy, and their planet is Mars.

4 Earth

While the seemingly most obvious trait to link with earth would be grounded (who doesn’t love puns?), Your Chinese Astrology says differently. They have listed kindness as a quality associated with earth signs, and also describe them as, tolerant, honest and a leader. You are an earth sign if born in a year that ends in an eight or a nine. Strangely, this is the only sign with four animals attached to it, including the ox, dragon, goat and dog. The ox and the goat are linked to yin, and the dragon and the dog are linked to yang.

There are also mental qualities, climates, and directions associated with each sign. The mental quality linked to earth signs is clarity, the climate is dampness and the direction is central.

5 Metal

ENTITY breaks down the five Chinese zodiac elements.

Last, but certainly not least, are the metal signs. The metal sign is depicted as determined, persistent, a workaholic and a manager. If you were born in a year that ends in a zero or a one, you are considered a metal sign. You’re golden, baby. The animals linked to metal are the rooster, which is tied to yin, and the monkey, which is tied to yang.

There is even a time of day and a set of numbers for each element. For metal signs, your hours are 3 PM through 7 PM, and your set of numbers are four and nine. Time to grab a lottery ticket!

Life is so often about self-discovery, which can often be painful and time-consuming. Using your horoscope can be a fun way to learn more about yourself, taken lightly, of course. Keeping in mind these Chinese zodiac elements, you might just look at your wooden chair, water bottle, scented candle, mini cactus or your silver studs with just a little more significance.

Edited by Nicole Sazegar
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