Author: Alison Price – Updated: January 2025

Lunar New Year

You will know by now I am a solid Western psychological astrologer. Which means I generally do astrology regarding the zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a passing interest in other closely aligned systems of horoscope work.

As we are entering the Year of the Snake, I thought this will be a good time to share some basic information about how the Chinese astrology works and why they have the animals that they do and in the sequence which they are found. We call it Lunar Astrology now as many Asian countries use the zodiac and not just China.

Here I’m just going to explain the method of the creation of the list and also some general characteristics of each of the animals within the Lunar Zodiac. I don’t profess to understand the deeper meanings of the Lunar Zodiac and the BaZi which relates to the four pillars of the year, month, day and hour.

I have studied it on a couple of occasions and found it to be quite a complicated system. Typically, once a year, at around the time when we’re entering the New Lunar Year, I get out my Chinese horoscope book and start having another look, as I try to grasp exactly what is going on. The best book I’ve found on the subject is called The Definitive book of Chinese Astrology by Shelly Wu. If you want to start looking into Lunar astrology, I suggest you start with this book although it is a complicated subject.

The Legend of the Great Race

How the Lunar Zodiac Animals Got Their Order

The order of the 12 animals in the Lunar zodiac – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig stems from a well-known Chinese folktale called The Great Race. This story explains how the animals were chosen and why they are arranged in their specific sequence. Here’s the story:

The Invitation from the Jade Emperor

The Jade Emperor is a key figure in Chinese mythology and is often regarded as the supreme ruler of the heavens, the earth and the underworld. He presides over all gods, deities, spirits and mortal beings. This makes him one of the most revered and powerful figures in the Chinese pantheon. His influence extends across Taoist beliefs and Asian folk religion.

And so…

Long ago, the Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens, decided to create a way to measure time. He invited all the animals in the kingdom to take part in a race. The first twelve animals to cross the river and reach the finish line would have a year named after them in the zodiac cycle, with their position determined by the order in which they finished.

And so the race began…

The Clever Rat and the Trusting Ox 

The Rat, small and nimble, was worried about crossing the river. He saw the strong and reliable Ox and the Rat asked for a ride on its back. The Ox, being kind-hearted, agreed. Just as the Ox was about to reach the shore, the Rat suddenly leapt off its back and dashed to the finish line, to earn the first spot in the zodiac. The Ox followed, taking second place.

The Brave Tiger 

The Tiger was a powerful swimmer, but the river’s currents made it a tough journey. Using its strength and determination, the Tiger managed to reach the shore and secured third place.

The Quick Rabbit 

The Rabbit, though not a strong swimmer, cleverly hopped across on rocks and logs which floated in the water. It arrived fourth, impressing the Jade Emperor with its resourcefulness.

The Majestic Dragon 

The Dragon, a mighty and benevolent creature, flew across the river. Despite its speed, it took a detour to help villagers by bringing rain to their crops and rescuing a drowning creature, which delayed its arrival. The Dragon finished in fifth place, earning admiration for its kindness.

The Cunning Snake 

The Snake, small and sneaky, crossed the river by hiding in the Horse’s mane. When the Horse neared the finish line, the Snake suddenly slithered out, startling the Horse to take sixth place. The Horse clip-clopped closely behind in seventh place.

The Gentle Goat, Playful Monkey and Proud Rooster 

These three animals worked together to cross the river. The Rooster found a raft and all three animals cooperated to paddle it to the shore. The Goat came eighth, the Monkey ninth and the Rooster came in tenth as a reward for their teamwork.

The Loyal Dog 

The Dog was an excellent swimmer, but he became distracted and played about in the water. Despite its delay, the Dog eventually made it to the finish line and claimed the eleventh spot.

The Easygoing Pig 

The Pig, known for its love of comfort, became hungry during the race and stopped to eat and take a nap. After resting, it resumed its journey and arrived last to take the twelfth spot.

The Meaning Behind the Order

The order of the animals reflects both their characteristics and their behavior during the race.

For example:

The Rat is clever and opportunistic, outsmarting the larger Ox.
The Ox is hardworking and dependable, second only to the quick-thinking Rat.
The Dragon and Rabbit showcase compassion and ingenuity, while the cooperative Goat, Monkey and Rooster highlight teamwork.
The Dog and Pig display loyalty and contentment, even if they are less competitive.

Moral of the Story

The legend of the Great Race teaches a valuable lesson about determination, cleverness, cooperation and kindness. It also shows how different personalities and qualities contribute to success, offering a timeless reflection of human nature. This tale remains a cornerstone of Asian culture, to inspire both children and adults while explaining the origins of the zodiac’s cherished animals.

How to Calculate the Lunar New Year

Lunar Calendar

The date of the Lunar New Year varies each year because it follows the cycles of the Moon. The Lunar New Year typically falls on the second New Moon after the winter solstice (around December 21st), to place it somewhere between January 21st and February 20th on the Gregorian calendar.

Calculate the Lunar New Year

Step 1: Winter Solstice

The winter solstice (when the Sun enters Capricorn) occurs on or around December 21st every year.

Step 2: Second New Moon

Find the Second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. A lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, so the first New Moon after the winter solstice will fall in late December or early January. The second New Moon after the solstice usually falls between late January and mid-February and marks the Lunar New Year.

Example for 2025

The winter solstice was on December 21, 2024. The first New Moon after the solstice is on December 31, 2024. The second New Moon is on January 29, 2025, which is Lunar New Year for the Year of the Snake.

The Twelve Years in Lunar Astrology

Jupiter

It is one of the most revered zodiac signs.

Best Matches

Rat, Monkey and Rooster.

Year of the Snake

Traits

Wise, intuitive, graceful and mysterious. Snakes are deep thinkers who value strategy, observation and quiet determination.

Symbolism

The Snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation, embodying a calm yet profound energy.

Best Matches

Ox and Rooster.

Rabbit and Sheep.

How Each Year Influences People

When in the Year You were Born

Each zodiac year also carries specific energies that affect global trends, making the Lunar zodiac a tool for both personal insight and understanding collective dynamics. The year of birth your birth influences your personality traits and general fortune throughout life.

Note: If you are born very early in the year, before the second New Moon after the Winter solstice, you will be the previous year’s animal.

Elements and Pillars

There is so much more to know about the Lunar Year animals and their symbolism. However, the interplay of the Five Elements and other astrological factors, such as the Month, Day and Hour Pillars, adds layers of complexity. Whether you’re seeking to understand yourself better or align with the cosmic flow of the year, the Lunar zodiac offers timeless wisdom and practical guidance.

Book Recommendations

Here are some Lunar and Chinese Zodiac books which may interest you.

Book Recommendations

The Definitive book of Chinese Astrology by Shelly Wu.

The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau.

The New Chinese Astrology by Suzanne White

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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