Chinese astrology is also the oldest of all the ancient philosophies in Chinese culture. It is different from Western or Eastern astrology because it is a rather complex field dealing with mixed calendars and animal symbolism. Though the subject matter is complicated, it is also very effective as a way of seeing into an individual’s personality.

Unlike other cultures, Chinese astrology relates to the daily life of each individual. It is directly related to Chinese calendars and astronomy. Unlike European astrologers, Chinese astrologers do not link the positions of moon, sun, and planets at the time of an individual’s birth. This is why the science of astrology is very different from any other field in the world.

The evolution of Chinese astrology is directly related to Chinese astronomy. It came into existence during the reign of the Han Dynasty, which ruled from the second century BC to the second century AD.

Chinese philosophy has had a heavy influence on Chinese astrology through the theory of harmony, which unites the sky, humans, and earth. This is completely different from Western philosophy, and includes the Wu Xing principals of yin and yang. The astronomy is based on five planets, the 10 Celestial stems, the 12 Earthly Branches, and the luniSolar calendar, which is the moon and sun calendar. It is also based on the time calculations after each year, month, day, and Shichen.

There is a common misconception that Chinese astrology is only about animals being assigned to particular birth years. In actuality, there are also monthly animals known as inner animals, and hourly animals known as secret animals. This system is very refined and accurate. For example, a person may be born in a dragon year but in a snake month and an ox hour. These assignments make it much easier to determine one’s character.

In Western astrology, all of the signs are related to months. In Chinese astrology, the signs are linked to a season, and the elements are supposed to transfer some qualities to the person in question. In a 60-year cycle, the constant element which is connected to the year, month, and hour signs is separate from the cycle of elements, which relate to the signs as a whole.

The Chinese zodiac symbols are also used to pinpoint a particular hour of the day. Each sign covers a portion of a “large hour” which affects them, and this is a two-hour period, i.e. 24 divided by 12 animal signs. It is very important to know the exact hour of birth in order to get an accurate reading. The secret or the hour animal is supposed to be the true character of a person, as this animal is determined by the most precise detail. It is that particular sign on which the characteristics of that person are based.


Astrology gained immense popularity when it flourished in Egypt around 300 BC. During the middle ages, the it was also widely used by Christian groups in Europe. However, it was in the late 1600s when an astrologer named William Lilly renamed European astrology "Christian Astrology." He did this in order to avoid angering the Church and also to distinguish it from pre-Christian or pagan astrology.

There was another astrologer in Europe after Lily named Alan Leo; he was very popular and became the landmark of the science in the late 1800s. After Leo died, Paul Clancy revitalized the science with another genre of “American Astrology." These are the chief reasons that astrology is as famous as it is today.