Chinese Zodiac , Animals and Elements.<br />HowStuffWorks recently offered readers <br />a crash course on the Chinese zodiac. .<br />Sometime before 1000 B.C.E., the Chinese <br />developed a complex astrological system <br />that divided the year into 24 parts. .<br />The Chinese zodiac follows <br />Jupiter’s orbit… Jupiter takes <br />12 years to orbit the sun. <br />This is called the ‘great year.’ , Virginia Loh-Hagan, Author of 'Chinese Zodiac,' <br />via HowStuffWorks.<br />The Chinese zodiac follows <br />Jupiter’s orbit… Jupiter takes <br />12 years to orbit the sun. <br />This is called the ‘great year.’ , Virginia Loh-Hagan, Author of 'Chinese Zodiac,' <br />via HowStuffWorks.<br />The cycle repeats every <br />5 great years. Every 60th <br />year is a golden year, Virginia Loh-Hagan, Author of 'Chinese Zodiac,' <br />via HowStuffWorks.<br />12 animals each represent <br />a year in a 12-year cycle. , Rat: creative, innovative, imaginative<br />Ox: stable, hard-working.<br />12 animals each represent <br />a year in a 12-year cycle. , Rat: creative, innovative, imaginative<br />Ox: stable, hard-working.<br />Tiger: authoritative, intense, courageous<br />Rabbit: popular, compassionate, family-minded, Dragon: energetic, fearless<br />Snake: charming, smart, introverted.<br />Tiger: authoritative, intense, courageous<br />Rabbit: popular, compassionate, family-minded, Dragon: energetic, fearless<br />Snake: charming, smart, introverted.<br />Tiger: authoritative, intense, courageous<br />Rabbit: popular, compassionate, family-minded, Dragon: energetic, fearless<br />Snake: charming, smart, introverted.<br />Horse: independent, hard-working<br />Rooster: attentive, emotional, hard-working , Ram: shy, kind<br />Monkey: fun, energetic.<br />Dog: patient, faithful, Pig: loving, honest.<br />Dog: patient, faithful, Pig: loving, honest.<br />Five elements also <br />divide the Chinese calendar:, Metal: structure <br />Water: emotion<br />Wood: growth<br />Fire: leadership<br />Earth: stability.<br />Combining the five elements with the 12 zodiac <br />animals creates 60 different combinations <br />that represent a complete 60 year cycle.
