The Chinese Astrology Ox Symbol is the Zodiac Sign for 2009

For many centuries constellations and Chinese astrology have been used for divination purposes. Over 3000 years ago the "10 Heavenly Stems" and "12 Earthly Branches" were invented for chronological reasons. They were used to differentiate time and seasons.

It made sense to name the 12 Earthly stems after animals as people found them simple to relate to and most Chinese people were illiterate in those times. The animals are simple to identify with and consist of mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig in that order.

Legend tells that Buddha was celebrating Chinese New Year and he invited all animals to partake of the festivities. Unfortunately only these 12 animals arrive. In honor of them he named the years after them. There are other variations of this story, but for the purposes of this information we shall use this one. People who are born in the year of the animal it is represented by are supposed to have some traits of these animals inherent in them.

In Chinese astrology, on top of the 12 animal signs we find element signs. These are wood, fire, water, earth, and metal, each of these is represented by a color, and these are respectively, green, red, black, brown and white. The elements are each placed on top of the animal zodiac signs and are indicative of the element they fall under during that year. For instance a "fire Dragon" or a Water Ox".

The animal zodiac consists of 12 and this is divisible by two, so each sign falls under the binary Yin and Yang years, with no two animal represented by both. They are either Yin or Yang and this is determined by if the year is an odd or even year. The combination of the animals, colors and elements leads Chinese astrology to have a 60 year cycle, and our present cycle began in 1984. The cycle always begins with a wood rat and ends with a water pig.

In Chinese astrology, ox is the second zodiac animal. Like Rat, Ox signifies new beginnings. The difference being, Ox is chiefly associated with slow sure action. It is important to make good choices as long term consequences are attached Ox years. 2009 is an earth year and it is also a Yin year, so this could indicate less turmoil. It is however unfortunate that the fixed element for Ox it water, to which earth is destructive, and this is the fourth out of six years where elements have conflicted. It comes as very little surprise to Chinese Astrologers that there has been so much trouble in the world during these years.

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