Other Glyconutient Articles of Interest:

Glyconutritionals / Phytochemicals (Phytonutrients)
Healthy Sweets / Supplements / Immune System
Do You Need Glyconutrients? / Child Health

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The Chinese Zodiac and the Chinese Astrology Calendar

Knowing your zodiac sign in relation to Chinese tradition can explain a great deal about your individual personality. Everybody is represented by one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals like the ox. These 12 animals represent the rotating twelve year cycle which is essential to the Chinese zodiac. You have probably heard of a particular year as the “year of the ox.” According to legend, these were the animals that appeared before The Jade Emporer (or Buddha, depending on the story you are talking about) when they responded to an invitation. The animals of the Chinese zodiac correspond to the animals' order of arrival. Stories and legends that describe each animal's expedition differ a bit, but the prevailing order is the following: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Chinese astrology traces back a few thousand years to ancient Astronomy in China. The predictions of Chinese astrology horoscope charts are dependent upon the Chinese zodiac chart made by these early Chinese astronomers. Over many years, Chinese astrologists developed a complex belief system regarding how the celestial bodies effect daily lives of people.  The Chinese zodiac calendar and the 12 zodiac animals emerge from Chinese astrology.

The Chinese zodiac chart doesn't only deal with the 12 animals of the zodiac, but also has additional more complex and involved relationships. In addition to the animals, the Chinese Zodiac also includes 5 elements: metal, wood, fire, water and Earth. These elements are connected with the 5 major planets: Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. The combinations presented by the elements and the 12 animals actually combine to make the 60-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac calendar. This rotation, as well as Yin and Yang, a person's date and time of birth, the positions of the moon and sun, and directions are all used to help understand the future of a person in more detail than simply using the Chinese zodiac animal as a guide. While the Chinese zodiac elements are important and essential, the way in which the elements of the Chinese zodiac chart interact must be utilized in order to develop a full understanding of anyone. To fully appreciate the Chinese Zodiac, it's necessary and important to also understand the relationship between all the Chinese zodiac elements, which is something most people do not get from an everyday overview of the Chinese zodiac.

The understanding most have of the Chinese zodiac doesn't usually extend very far beyond what they see on the place mats that cover the tables of their favorite Chinese restaurants. But there's really much more to know about this ancient doctrine that dates back more than two millennium. The Chinese zodiac is a guide to decide the best and most compatible matches between people in business and love. Each of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals has other animals with which it is thought to be most compatible. Chinese astrology dating compatibility is used to figure out the best love match for individuals. It's also critical to consider that there are other features of Chinese astrology beyond which animal you are, that also are thought to be important in determining those who are most compatible.