Chinese astrology

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The nomenclature used in the article is based on the translations of the terms used in China in the early days. The translation of the German theologian Richard Wilhelm in the early 20th century was groundbreaking here .

The Chinese astrology ( Chinese  占星術  /  占星朮 , Pinyin zhānxīngshù  - "Art of Star divination") knows no calculation of the positions of the sun , moon and planets at the time of birth. It is therefore not astrology in the European sense. She has a calendar for the calculation basis, which has been given an interpretation. This includes the Chinese philosophy and various “individual disciplines” that are mutually dependent and interpenetrating. These include the five-element theory , yin and yang and astronomy with five planets and the ten celestial stems ( celestial signs), the twelve branches of the earth , as well as the Chinese calendar , a lunisolar calendar with the time calculation according to year , month , day and double hour.

Animals of the Chinese zodiac, Qingyanggong Temple, Chengdu

The traditional legend names the mythical "Yellow Emperor" Huangdi (supposedly 2698 to 2599 BC ) as the inventor of Chinese astrology (calendar interpretation ). Historically, the legend could neither be substantiated nor refuted by archaeologists and astronomical historians. There are no relevant clues. There is no specific, datable celestial constellation, as it was not a prerequisite for the calendar interpretation from the start. Direct evidence (such as the Babylonian clay tablets) has not yet been found in China. One reason why “Chinese astrology” has been handed down to the present day can also be the Chinese calendar. Over the millennia, like the characters, it has become an inseparable part of Chinese culture and still part of everyday Chinese life.

Star divination art

The “art of divination” means something other than astrology in the western sense. The "Dragon Bones " collection found so far during the Shang dynasty (16th to 11th centuries BC) contains oracle bones from around 1300 BC. One of them reads the following text: "On the seventh day of the month a star was seen accompanied by the star of fire (Antares).") When one of the constellations was visible again in the sky, the emperor, who was considered the son of heaven, learned of this news through his grand secretary. According to the season and the theme, the emperor gave instructions to his ministers, princes and officials. The Grand Secretary had the task of keeping laws and ordinances and of observing the passage of the sun and moon, planets and stars so that no errors arise and that the records correspond to earlier times. Because the sun, moon, planets, stars, comets and meteors as well as solar eclipses reveal the will of heaven. The background for these measures lay in the role of the emperor. As the Son of Heaven, heaven, earth and man can come into contact through him.

Chinese philosophy

→ Main article : Chinese philosophy

Chinese philosophy is about the harmony of heaven, earth and man, the three components of the universe make up the order ( Dao / Tao) of the world. It should find itself in human society. Therefore the harmony with the cosmos promises a happy life. Knowledge of the course of the world should help to perceive current and future trends.

Five elements

→ Main article : Five element teaching

The five elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water are understood as a force in the sense of a development that takes place in five phases. They find their correspondence in the different states of change of heaven, earth and man. It means:

1. Wood : shaping, for example the daily routine, with dignity, constancy, peace
2. Fire : ignite, for example tackle a project, realize it, with verve, energy, dynamism, ready to fight and argue
3. Earth : to consolidate, for example to establish stability and equilibrium, with care, accuracy, perseverance, constancy
4. Metal : design, prepared to take risks to a limited extent, honest, fair, factual, evening energy, review, harvest
5. Water : dissolving, around the end of a cycle and the prospect of something new, caution, fertility, working carefully, tendency to dream

Yin and yang

→ Main article : Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang (Chinese: 陰 / 阴 and 陽 / 阳, Yīn and Yáng) are two terms from the Chinese philosophy of Daoism . They are often also represented with the Tàijí symbol ☯. They describe each other as complementary opposing principles. The transition from one to the other is fluid. Yin is assigned to the feminine, passive, receiving, giving and covering, non-creative, negating principle. This also includes moon and shadow, earth and night, and the even numbers. Yang is assigned to the male, energetic, active, dynamic, procreative and productive, creative, affirmative principle. This also includes sun and light, sky and day, and odd numbers.

“Lift your head and look at the vastness of the sky, look around you and be amazed at the manifestations of the earth! In heaven are the five planets, in earth are the five elements. In heaven are the houses of heaven, on earth are empires and provinces. The three lights (sun, moon and planets) are the origin of Yin and Yang: the primal forces live within them on earth. "

- Derek Walters

In the case of 阴 (Yīn, pronounced “in”) and 阳 (Yáng, pronunciation similar to English “young” for young) the abbreviations actually seem to be very useful compared to the traditional long characters. Because there are the signs for the moon (月) and sun (日) on the right. In modern language, however, the sun is called 太陽 / 太阳 (tàiyáng), where the Yáng symbol 陽 or 阳 can be found again.

astronomy

As everywhere on earth as in China, observers of the night sky noticed not only the movements of the sun and moon but also those of the planets. According to their conception of the development of the world, first there was water, then fire, then wood, then metal and finally the earth. According to this order, the planets were assigned to the elements.

astronomy

planet	Chinese	element	comment
Mercury	水星 (Shuǐxīng)	Water (水)	black, weak light, water is called black because it is not illuminated
Venus	金星 (Jīnxīng)	Metal (金)	white, shines brightest of all, silver currency in China
Mars	火星 (Huǒxīng)	Fire (火)	red, reddish light
Jupiter	木星 (Mùxīng)	Wood (木)	green, greenish tinge
Saturn	土星 (Tǔxīng)	Earth (土)	yellow, dull yellow light

Sky map and seasons

→ Main article : "China" in the article History of Astronomy

In order to be able to name the positions of the sun, moon and planets in the sky more precisely, the court astronomers developed a sky map. Fixed stars were put into four groups, the sections corresponded to the duration of a season, which was assigned to a direction:

1. for east : wood, Jupiter, spring
2. for south : fire, mars, summer
3. for West : metal, Venus, autumn
4. for north : water, mercury, winter
5. for the middle : Earth, Saturn, Polaris, Big Bear, Little Bear, the last fifth of a season

The entries of the movements of the sun, moon and planets in the first sky maps made it possible to get an overview and make predictions. Historically secured are those from 700 BC. Made observations of comets and meteors, solar eclipses and sunspots. They still have great scientific value. The previous observations, such as the solar eclipse of October 3, 2137 BC, are not considered historically secure. The observation of the change of the seasons in connection with the four cardinal points and the allocation according to Yin and Yang as well as according to the five elements led to the special classification according to heavenly tribes.

Ten heavenly tribes

→ Main article : Heavenly tribes

The ten celestial stems (heavenly signs) result from the four cardinal directions and a fifth, which is assigned to the “middle” (earth) . Astronomically, the center belongs to the North Star ( Big Bear and Little Bear ) . The fifth direction is assigned the last fifth of a season. The five directions are also differentiated into Yin and Yang, which results in five, i.e. ten, heavenly signs twice. Their distribution according to Yin and Yang, the five elements, the five planets and the five animal names results in the following compilation, whereby in Chinese the "male principle" Yang (陽 / 阳, Yáng) actually always precedes the "female principle" Yin (陰 /阴, Yīn, spoken "in") comes:

1. East : spring
   1. Moon (yin signs 乙, Yǐ) and sun (yang signs 甲, Jiǎ)
   2. Wood, Jupiter, Blue Dragon , time of the return of the rain and the resurrection of the dragon
2. South : summer
   1. Moon (yin sign 丁, dīng), yin and sun (yang sign 丙, bǐng)
   2. Fire, Mars, red bird (pheasant), time of migration of migratory birds from Nepal and Tibet to the east and their arrival with the summer winds
3. West : autumn
   1. Moon (Yin symbol 辛, Yīn) and Sun (Yang symbol 庚, Gēng)
   2. Metal, Venus, White Tiger , time of the tiger's migration into the plains to eat there
4. North : winter
   1. Moon (Yin symbol 癸, Guǐ), Yin and Sun (Yang symbol 壬, Rén)
   2. Water, Mercury, Black Warrior / Black Turtle , time of the turtle's hibernation
5. Middle : Last fifth of all seasons
   1. Moon (Yin symbols 己, Jǐ), Yin and Sun (Yang symbols 戊, Wù)
   2. Earth, Saturn, Pole Star, Big and Little Bear

The ten heavenly stems also serve as ordinal numbers and school grades, where wobei (Jiǎ) is a “one” or first class. Therefore, here the celestial trunks with the assignment of Yin and Yang as well as the five phases of change again in the overview and in the traditional order:

The ten heavenly tribes
Associated with Yáng			Associated with Yīn			element
No.	character	Pinyin	No.	character	Pinyin
1	甲	jiǎ	2	乙	yǐ	Wood (木, mù)
3	丙	bǐng	4th	丁	thing	Fire (火, huǒ)
5	戊	wù	6th	己	jǐ	Earth (土, tǔ)
7th	庚	gēng	8th	辛	xīn	Metal (金, jīn)
9	壬	rén	10	癸	guǐ	Water (水, shǔi)

The animals that are assigned to the cardinal points symbolize life energies. The traditional characters for animals do not mean in this context that the living animal, such as the rat or mouse, is meant. A character on its own can mean something different than when it is shown together with a second or third. The Chinese script in particular makes use of simplification, which can only be understood in context.

This corresponds to the homonyms of the German language, individual words that stand for more than one term (not just heaven). In such a case it is only in context that it becomes clear what is meant. The situation is different with the English words "sky" (meteorological sky) and "heaven" (religious sky). Each word already contains the assignment to a specific area. So it is chosen and therefore can stand alone.

Twelve branches of the earth

→ Main article : Branches of the earth

The division according to the seasons was too rough. The precise observation of the moon movement led to the division of the fixed stars into further groups, according to the length of time the moon stayed from new moon to new moon or from full moon to full moon. This resulted in twelve groups of the same size, each corresponding to one month. At first the months had no names. They were numbered, the first, the second, the third month and so on. The twelve abstract sections were soon called "earthly branches" because of their relation to agriculture. Accordingly, they received not only the names of animals but also of the twelve branches of the earth. Here is an overview one after the other from top left to bottom right (rat to pig or 子 to 亥) with Yin-Yang assignment as well as traditional traditional symbols and abbreviations .

Animal names and branches of the earth with Yin-Yang assignment
☯	Yáng	Yin	Yáng	Yin	Yáng	Yin
animal	rat	buffalo	tiger	Hare	Dragon	Snake
Animal name	鼠 (shǔ)	牛 (niú)	虎 (hǔ)	兔 (tù)	龍 / 龙 (lóng)	蛇 (shé)
Branch of earth	子 (zǐ)	丑 (chǒu)	寅 (yín)	卯 (mǎo)	辰 (chén)	巳 (sì)
animal	horse	sheep	monkey	Rooster	dog	pig
Animal name	馬 / 马 (mǎ)	羊 (yáng)	猴 (hóu)	雞 / 鸡 (jī)	狗 (gǒu)	豬 (zhū)
Branch of earth	午 (wǔ)	未 (wèi)	申 (shēn)	酉 (yǒu)	戌 (xū)	亥 (hài)

Since the characters for some animal names are the same, the nomenclature is not regionally uniform: the sheep can also become a goat or a ram, the rooster a chicken, the buffalo a cattle, the rat a mouse, and the pig a wild boar.

The fact that a hare can also become a cat (貓, māo) is most likely a mistake, possibly due to the similar pronunciation of the animal cat (māo) and the hare-earth branch (mǎo). Because, according to Chinese legend, the rat has pushed its way forward and the cat, which cannot swim, booted out, which is why it always wants to hunt the rat or mouse out of sheer revenge. In the Vietnamese zodiac, however, the fourth place is a cat instead of the rabbit.

Inner circle: branches of the earth
Outer circle: The 24 cardinal points
north is below, west is on the right.

The sections were then grouped according to the cardinal points. This results in the following assignment:

1. East : Dragon (Chén, 120 °), Hare (Mǎo, 90 °), Tiger (Yín, 60 °)
2. South : Sheep / goat (Wèi, 210 °), horse (Wǔ, 180 °), snake (Sì, 150 °)
3. West : dog (Xū, 300 °), chicken / rooster (Yǒu, 270 °), monkey (Shēn, 240 °)
4. North : cattle / buffalo (Chǒu, 30 °), rat / mouse (Zǐ, 0 °), pork (Hài, 330 °)

Lunisolar calendar

The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, i.e. that is, it is ruled by the moon and corrected according to the sun. A year consists of twelve months of 29 or 30 days - the exact time between two new moons is 29.53 days - for a total of 354 days. Since this period of time is about eleven days too short compared to the solar year, there would soon be shifts in the seasons. This is countered by inserting a 13th month as soon as the difference of almost a month is reached. In the Chinese calendar, New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice , which in non-leap years corresponds to the new moon before the spring equinox . This time falls between January and February.

The 60 year cycle - the number 60

60-year cycle ( 干支 gānzhī)
阳 Yáng (odd years) 阴 Yin (even years) The 5 elements : wood fire earth metal water
Animal 地支	子	丑	寅	卯	辰	巳	午	未	申	酉	戌	亥
Year 天干 地支	1 甲 子	2 乙 丑	3 丙 寅	4 丁 卯	5 戊 辰	6 己 巳	7 庚 午	8 辛 Unfilled	9 壬 申	10 癸 酉	11 甲 戌	12 乙 亥
Year 天干 地支	13 丙 子	14 丁 丑	15 戊 寅	16 己 卯	17 庚 辰	18 辛 巳	19 壬 午	20 癸 Unfilled	21 甲 申	22 乙 酉	23 丙 戌	24 丁 亥
Year 天干 地支	25 戊 子	26 己 丑	27 庚 寅	28 辛 卯	29 壬 辰	30 癸 巳	31 甲 午	32 乙 Unfilled	33 丙 申	34 丁 酉	35 戊 戌	36 己 亥
Year 天干 地支	37 庚 子	38 辛 丑	39 壬 寅	40 癸 卯	41 甲 辰	42 乙 巳	43 丙 午	44 丁 Unfilled	45 戊 申	46 己 酉	47 庚 戌	48 辛 亥
Year 天干 地支	49 壬 子	50 癸 丑	51 甲 寅	52 乙 卯	53 丙 辰	54 丁 巳	55 戊 午	56 己 Unfilled	57 庚 申	58 辛 酉	59 壬 戌	60 癸 亥

From the connection of the ten heavenly tribes with the twelve earthly branches, 干支 (Gānzhī), the number 60 results . Each of the 5 Yang heavenly tribes (甲 、 丙 、 戊 、 庚 、 壬) multiplied by each of the 6 Yang earth branches (子 、 寅 、 辰 、 午 、 申 、 戌, corresponding to rat, tiger, dragon, horse, monkey and dog ) gives 30 Yang combinations. And each of the 5 yin heavenly tribes (乙 、 丁 、 己 、 辛 、 癸) multiplied by each of the 6 yin earth branches (丑 、 卯 、 巳 、 未 、 酉 、 亥, corresponding to buffalo, hare, snake, goat, rooster and Pig) also makes 30 combinations. 5 heavenly yin and yang and 6 earthly yin and yang can also be accepted. Taken together, as shown on the right, there are 60 combinations of celestial trunks and earth branches.

The number 60 became the basic unit of the Chinese calendar. The merging of the cardinal points and seasons, the ten celestial trunks with the twelve earth branches and the five elements, differentiated according to yin and yang, gives the following overview.

Earth branches and seasons

spring

• Yang, tiger (寅, Yín), wood, Jupiter, east, spring
• Yin, hare (卯, Mǎo), wood, Jupiter, east, spring
• Yang, dragon (辰, Chén), wood, Jupiter, earth / east / middle, spring, last fifth of the season

summer

• Yin, (巳, Sì), snake, fire, Mars, south, summer
• Yang, (午, Wǔ), horse, fire, Mars, south, summer
• Yin, (未, Wèi), sheep / goat, fire, Mars, earth, Saturn / south / middle, summer, last fifth of the season

autumn

• Yang, (申, Shēn), monkey, metal, Venus, West, autumn
• Yin, (酉, Yǒu), rooster, metal, Venus, West, autumn
• Yang, (戌, Xū), dog, metal, Venus, earth, Saturn / west / middle, autumn, last fifth of the season

winter

• Yin, (亥, Hài), pig, water, Mercury, north, winter
• Yang, (子, Zǐ), rat / mouse, water, Mercury, north, winter
• Yin, (牛, Niú), buffalo / beef, water, Mercury, earth, Saturn / north / middle, winter, last fifth of the season

Counting from the beginning of the year

The Chinese year begins between January and February with the Chinese New Year celebrations on the second new moon after the winter solstice , i.e. between January 21 and February 21.

The twelve earth signs (twelve earthly branches: 子, 丑, ...) of the Chinese calendar that follow each other in the annual rhythm are assigned the zodiac (鼠, 牛, ...) and character traits:

1. 子zĭ : rat (鼠shŭ ) aggressive
2. 丑chŏu : Buffalo (牛niú ) gentle
3. 寅yín : Tiger (虎hŭ ) daring
4. 卯măo : hare (兔tù ) good-natured
5. 辰chén : dragon (龍lóng ) witty
6. 巳sì : snake (蛇shé ) clever
7. 午wŭ : horse (馬mă ) impatient
8. 未wèi : sheep (羊yáng ) like
9. 申shēn : monkey (猴hóu ) agile
10. 酉yŏu : rooster (鷄jī ) proud
11. 戌xū : dog (狗gŏu ) loyal
12. 亥hài : Pig (猪zhū ) honest

Every year the name of the year changes cyclically according to this list of names. From February 16, 2018 to February 4, 2019 we were in the year of the dog, from February 5, 2019 to January 24, 2020 it was the year of the pig. At the moment, from January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021, the year of the rat is in effect.

Legend

According to legend, Buddha , according to other sources, the mythological jade emperor Yu Di “[...] once invited all 13 animals of the zodiac signs to a festival. The cat was originally one of them. However, the mouse told the cat that the festival would take place a day later. The cat went to sleep and dreamed of the party. So it came about that only twelve animals, all except the cat, came to the festival. The first animal was the rat (mouse), followed by the buffalo (the ox), the tiger, the hare, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat (the sheep), the monkey, the rooster (the chicken) , the dog and finally the pig. Every animal was given a year and he named it after him. So the rat got the first, the buffalo (the ox) the second, the tiger the third and the pig finally the twelfth. This was in the order in which they came. Everyone agreed to this. Since the cat did not come, it was not given a year and [she] was excluded. "

Time circles (cycles or periods)

→ Main article : 60-year cycle

12 years and 60 years

Each time cycle begins with a "year of the rat" that recurs in twelve-year series (1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 and so on). Since the zodiac is assigned an element from the five-element theory of wood, fire, earth, metal or water for each year, there is not only the "year of the rat", but the year of the "water rat" and that Year of the "Fire Tiger". Such a time cycle lasts for 60 years and then starts all over again. According to legend, the 60-year period began in 2637 BC. Following this, the signs, elements, yin and yang as well as planets are also used to denote years, months, days and hours.

Chinese zodiac for the 20th and 21st centuries

Beginning	The End	Beginning	The End	☯	element	character	干支	干支 in pinyin
Jan. 31, 1900	Feb. 18, 1901	Jan. 28, 1960	Feb. 14, 1961	Yáng	金 metal	鼠 rat	庚子	gēngzǐ
Feb. 19, 1901	7 Feb 1902	Feb. 15, 1961	Feb. 4, 1962	Yin	金 metal	牛 buffalo	辛丑	xīnchǒu
Feb. 8, 1902	Jan. 28, 1903	Feb 5, 1962	Jan. 24, 1963	Yáng	水 water	虎 tiger	壬寅	rényín
Jan. 29, 1903	Feb 15, 1904	Jan 25, 1963	Feb 12, 1964	Yin	水 water	兔 bunny	癸卯	guǐmǎo
Feb 16, 1904	February 3, 1905	Feb 13, 1964	Feb. 1, 1965	Yáng	木 wood	龍 dragon	甲辰	jiǎchén
Feb. 4, 1905	Jan. 24, 1906	Feb. 2, 1965	Jan. 20, 1966	Yin	木 wood	蛇 snake	乙巳	jǐsì
Jan 25, 1906	Feb 12, 1907	Jan. 21, 1966	Feb. 8, 1967	Yáng	火 fire	馬 horse	丙午	bǐngwǔ
Feb 13, 1907	Feb. 1, 1908	Feb 9, 1967	Jan. 29, 1968	Yin	火 fire	羊 sheep	丁未	dīngwèi
Feb. 2, 1908	Jan. 21, 1909	Jan. 30, 1968	Feb 16, 1969	Yáng	土 earth	猴 monkey	戊申	wùshēn
Jan. 22, 1909	February 9, 1910	Feb. 17, 1969	Feb 5, 1970	Yin	土 earth	雞 rooster	己酉	jǐyǒu
Feb 10, 1910	Jan. 29, 1911	Feb 6, 1970	Jan. 26, 1971	Yáng	金 metal	狗 dog	庚戌	gēngxū
Jan. 30, 1911	Feb. 17, 1912	Jan 27, 1971	Feb 14, 1972	Yin	金 metal	豬 pig	辛亥	xīnhài
Feb. 18, 1912	Feb 5, 1913	Feb 15, 1972	Feb. 2, 1973	Yáng	水 water	鼠 rat	壬子	rénzǐ
Feb 6, 1913	Jan. 25, 1914	Feb. 3, 1973	Jan. 22, 1974	Yin	水 water	牛 buffalo	癸丑	guǐchǒu
Jan. 26, 1914	February 13, 1915	Jan. 23, 1974	Feb 10, 1975	Yáng	木 wood	虎 tiger	甲寅	jiǎyín
Feb. 14, 1915	Feb. 2, 1916	Feb 11, 1975	Jan. 30, 1976	Yin	木 wood	兔 bunny	乙卯	yǐmǎo
February 3, 1916	Jan. 22, 1917	Jan. 31, 1976	Feb. 17, 1977	Yáng	火 fire	龍 dragon	丙辰	bǐngchén
Jan. 23, 1917	Feb 10, 1918	Feb. 18, 1977	Feb 6, 1978	Yin	火 fire	蛇 snake	丁巳	dīngsì
Feb 11, 1918	Jan. 31, 1919	Feb. 7, 1978	Jan. 27, 1979	Yáng	土 earth	馬 horse	戊午	wùwǔ
February 1, 1919	Feb. 19, 1920	Jan. 28, 1979	Feb. 15, 1980	Yin	土 earth	羊 sheep	己未	jǐwèi
Feb. 20, 1920	Feb. 7, 1921	Feb 16, 1980	Feb. 4, 1981	Yáng	金 metal	猴 monkey	庚申	gēngshēn
Feb 8, 1921	Jan. 27, 1922	Feb 5, 1981	Jan. 24, 1982	Yin	金 metal	雞 rooster	辛酉	xīnyǒu
Jan. 28, 1922	Feb 15, 1923	Jan 25, 1982	Feb 12, 1983	Yáng	水 water	狗 dog	壬戌	rénxū
Feb 16, 1923	Feb. 4, 1924	Feb 13, 1983	Feb. 1, 1984	Yin	水 water	豬 pig	癸亥	guǐhài
Feb. 5, 1924	Jan. 24, 1925	Feb. 2, 1984	Feb 19, 1985	Yáng	木 wood	鼠 rat	甲子	jiǎzǐ (60 years →)
Jan. 25, 1925	Feb 12, 1926	Feb 20, 1985	Feb. 8, 1986	Yin	木 wood	牛 buffalo	乙丑	yǐchǒu
Feb 13, 1926	Feb. 1, 1927	Feb 9, 1986	Jan. 28, 1987	Yáng	火 fire	虎 tiger	丙寅	bǐngyín
Feb. 2, 1927	Jan. 22, 1928	Jan. 29, 1987	Feb 16, 1988	Yin	火 fire	兔 bunny	丁卯	dīngmǎo
Jan. 23, 1928	Feb 9, 1929	Feb. 17, 1988	Feb 5, 1989	Yáng	土 earth	龍 dragon	戊辰	grow
Feb 10, 1929	Jan. 29, 1930	Feb 6, 1989	Jan. 26, 1990	Yin	土 earth	蛇 snake	己巳	jǐsì
Jan. 30, 1930	Feb 16, 1931	Jan. 27, 1990	Feb 14, 1991	Yáng	金 metal	馬 horse	庚午	gēngwǔ
Feb. 17, 1931	Feb 5, 1932	Feb 15, 1991	Feb 3, 1992	Yin	金 metal	羊 sheep	辛未	xīnwèi
Feb 6, 1932	Jan 25, 1933	Feb 4, 1992	Jan. 22, 1993	Yáng	水 water	猴 monkey	壬申	rénshēn
Jan. 26, 1933	Feb 13, 1934	Jan. 23, 1993	Feb 9, 1994	Yin	水 water	雞 rooster	癸酉	guǐyǒu
Feb. 14, 1934	February 3, 1935	Feb 10, 1994	Jan. 30, 1995	Yáng	木 wood	狗 dog	甲戌	jiǎxū
Feb. 4, 1935	Jan. 23, 1936	Jan. 31, 1995	Feb 18, 1996	Yin	木 wood	豬 pig	乙亥	jǐhài
Jan. 24, 1936	Feb 10, 1937	Feb 19, 1996	Feb 6, 1997	Yáng	火 fire	鼠 rat	丙子	bǐngzǐ
Feb 11, 1937	Jan. 30, 1938	Feb 7, 1997	Jan. 27, 1998	Yin	火 fire	牛 buffalo	丁丑	dīngchǒu
Jan. 31, 1938	Feb. 18, 1939	Jan 28, 1998	Feb 15, 1999	Yáng	土 earth	虎 tiger	戊寅	wùyín
Feb. 19, 1939	Feb 7, 1940	Feb 16, 1999	Feb. 4, 2000	Yin	土 earth	兔 bunny	己卯	jǐmǎo
Feb 8, 1940	Jan. 26, 1941	Feb 5, 2000	Jan. 23, 2001	Yáng	金 metal	龍 dragon	庚辰	gēngchén
Jan. 27, 1941	February 14, 1942	Jan. 24, 2001	Feb 11, 2002	Yin	金 metal	蛇 snake	辛巳	xīnsì
Feb 15, 1942	February 4, 1943	Feb 12, 2002	Jan. 31, 2003	Yáng	水 water	馬 horse	壬午	rénwǔ
Feb 5, 1943	Jan. 24, 1944	Feb. 1, 2003	Jan. 21, 2004	Yin	水 water	羊 sheep	癸未	guǐwèi
Jan 25, 1944	Feb 12, 1945	Jan. 22, 2004	Feb 8, 2005	Yáng	木 wood	猴 monkey	甲申	jiǎshēn
Feb 13, 1945	Feb. 1, 1946	Feb 9, 2005	Jan. 28, 2006	Yin	木 wood	雞 rooster	乙酉	yǐyǒu
Feb. 2, 1946	Jan. 21, 1947	Jan. 29, 2006	Feb. 17, 2007	Yáng	火 fire	狗 dog	丙戌	bǐngxū
Jan. 22, 1947	Feb 9, 1948	Feb. 18, 2007	Feb 6, 2008	Yin	火 fire	豬 pig	丁亥	dīnghài
Feb 10, 1948	Jan. 28, 1949	Feb 7, 2008	Jan 25, 2009	Yáng	土 earth	鼠 rat	戊子	wùzǐ
Jan. 29, 1949	Feb 16, 1950	Jan. 26, 2009	Feb 13, 2010	Yin	土 earth	牛 buffalo	己丑	jǐchǒu
Feb. 17, 1950	Feb 5, 1951	Feb. 14, 2010	Feb. 2, 2011	Yáng	金 metal	虎 tiger	庚寅	gēngyín
Feb 6, 1951	Jan. 26, 1952	Feb 3, 2011	Jan. 22, 2012	Yin	金 metal	兔 bunny	辛卯	xīnmǎo
Jan. 27, 1952	Feb 13, 1953	Jan. 23, 2012	Feb 9, 2013	Yáng	水 water	龍 dragon	壬辰	rénchén
Feb. 14, 1953	Feb. 2, 1954	Feb 10, 2013	Jan. 30, 2014	Yin	水 water	蛇 snake	癸巳	guǐsì
Feb. 3, 1954	Jan. 23, 1955	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 18, 2015	Yáng	木 wood	馬 horse	甲午	jiǎwǔ
Jan. 24, 1955	Feb 11, 1956	Feb. 19, 2015	Feb. 7, 2016	Yin	木 wood	羊 sheep	乙未	yǐwèi
Feb 12, 1956	Jan. 30, 1957	Feb 8, 2016	Jan. 27, 2017	Yáng	火 fire	猴 monkey	丙申	bǐngshēn
Jan. 31, 1957	Feb. 17, 1958	Jan. 28, 2017	Feb. 15, 2018	Yin	火 fire	雞 rooster	丁酉	dīngyǒu
Feb. 18, 1958	Feb 7, 1959	Feb 16, 2018	February 4, 2019	Yáng	土 earth	狗 dog	戊戌	wùxū
Feb 8, 1959	Jan. 27, 1960	Feb. 5, 2019	Jan. 24, 2020	Yin	土 earth	豬 pig	己亥	jǐhài
Jan. 28, 1960	Feb. 14, 1961	Jan 25, 2020	Feb 11, 2021	Yáng	金 metal	鼠 rat	庚子	gēngzǐ
Feb. 15, 1961	Feb. 4, 1962	Feb 12, 2021	Jan 31, 2022	Yin	金 metal	牛 buffalo	辛丑	xīnchǒu

干支 (Gānzhī) is the Chinese name for the heavenly trunks (天干) and earth branches (地支) or one of the 60 possible combinations in the 60-year cycle.

This 60-year cycle begins in the Yang-Yin alternation (male and female principle) with the "male" wood rat (甲子) and ends with the "female" water pig (癸亥). Therefore, the beginning of the cycle has been highlighted in the table . The next time Water-Pig and Wood-Rat will alternate with a new cycle beginning in early 2044. Those who turn 60 in February or thereafter will find their way back to the constellation at the time of their birth.

Element table

The five elements are assigned to Yang and Yin, respectively. The resulting 10 combinations also correspond to the 10 year-end digits.

Year table

Digit	element	Yin / yang	planet
0	metal	Yang	Venus
1	metal	Yin	Venus
2	water	Yang	Mercury
3	water	Yin	Mercury
4th	Wood	Yang	Jupiter
5	Wood	Yin	Jupiter
6th	Fire	Yang	Mars
7th	Fire	Yin	Mars
8th	earth	Yang	Saturn
9	earth	Yin	Saturn

Months

From 1900 BC The month count is said to have started with tiger (ping, ying, fire) . In the twelve months, the same signs repeat after five years (12 months × 5 years = 60 months).

Days

Likewise from 1900 BC. The day count is said to have started with a tiger (Kia, Ying, wood) . They are counted continuously, regardless of the time cycle, continuously, from 1 to 12, starting with tiger, rabbit, dragon ... and up to dog, pig, rat / mouse.

Hours

The count starts at 11 p.m. and the first double hour lasts until 1 a.m. Here, too, the 12 branches of the earth appear again (see above):

1. Double hour: 23–01 o'clock, 子zĭ : rat (鼠shŭ ), (yang) wood, aggressive, sentimental
2. Double hour: 01–03 o'clock, 丑chŏu : buffalo / beef (牛niú ), (yin) wood, gentle, hardworking
3. Double hour: 3–05 am, 寅yín : Tiger (虎hŭ ), (Yin) metal, bold, hot-blooded
4. Double hour: 05–07 am, 卯măo : rabbit (兔tù ), (yang) metal, good-natured, gentle
5. Double hour: 7 am–09 am, 辰chén : Dragon (龍lóng ), (Yang) earth, witty, solitary
6. Double hour: 9 am – 11 am, 巳sì : snake (蛇shé ), (yin) earth, cunning, cunning
7. Double hour: 11 am–1pm, 午wŭ : horse (馬mă ), (yin) Imperial fire, impatient, sociable
8. Double hour: 1–3 pm, 未wèi : sheep / goat (羊yáng ), (yang) Imperial fire, good, capricious
9. Double hour: 3–5 p.m., 申shēn : monkey (猴hóu ), (yang) water, agile, flexible
10. Double hour: 5–7 pm, 酉yŏu : tap (鷄jī ), (yin) water, proud, showy
11. Double hour: 7–9 pm, 戌xū : dog (狗gŏu ), (yin) Ministerial fire, faithful, social
12. Double hour: 9 pm - 11 pm, 亥hài : Pig (猪zhū ), (Yang) Ministerial fire, honest, honest

The text modules are put together from the seven basic components: Chinese philosophy (five elements, Yin and Yang) , calendar (moon, sun) , astronomy (five planets) , 10 celestial stems (signs) , 12 earthly branches ( zodiac ) , cycles and time cycle and formulated into a meaningful whole.

interpretation

The assignment and connection of the five cardinal points, ten celestial trunks and twelve earthly branches with the five elements (the five basic substances) then enable the interpretation.

Basic rules

1. Wood causes fire, is destroyed by metal
2. Fire creates earth, is destroyed by water
3. Earth makes metal, is destroyed by wood
4. Metal creates water, is destroyed by fire
5. Water makes wood, is destroyed by earth

Restriction

1. Wood is made by water, but too much water washes the wood away.
2. Fire is made by wood, but too much wood creates a conflagration.
3. Earth is made by fire, but too much fire withers the earth.
4. Metal is made by earth, but too much earth spills the metal.
5. Water is made by metal, but too much metal pollutes the water.

1. Wood causes fire, but too much fire burns the wood itself.
2. Fire creates earth, but too much earth puts out the fire.
3. Earth makes metal, but too much metal weakens the earth.
4. Metal creates water, but too much water causes the metal to sink.
5. Water makes wood, but too much wood soaks up the water.

1. Wood depresses earth, but too much earth breaks the wood.
2. Fire melts metal, but too much metal puts out the fire.
3. Earth absorbs water, but too much water washes away the earth.
4. Metal cuts wood, but too much wood, if hard, breaks the metal.
5. Water extinguishes fire, but too much fire boils the water.

1. Wood, when soft, is easily broken by metal.
2. Wood too hard, becomes usable for processing through fire.

1. Fire, if too weak, is easily extinguished by water.
2. Fire too strong, constrained by earth.

1. Earth, if too soft, is easily shattered by wood.
2. Earth too hard, is loosened by metal.

1. Metal, if too soft, is easily melted by fire.
2. Metal too hard, becomes smooth when sanded with water.

1. Water, if too little, is easily absorbed by the earth.
2. Too much water is made usable by wood.

example

If the heavenly sign of the day is fire (Mars), so it is

1. What dominates me -: Water, because water destroys fire
2. What I can do -: Metal, because fire destroys metal
3. What creates me -: Wood, because wood causes fire
4. What I produce -: Earth, because fire leaves earth behind
5. That which is like me -: Fire: because fire is like fire

Interpretation attempt based on an example

Albert Einstein , * March 14, 1879, 11:30 am OZ, Ulm, 48 ° 23'57 "N 9 ° 59'06" O

In 1879, the Chinese year begins on January 22nd, 1879 (New Year's Day, the first day of the first new moon month) .

Rough overview of the individual "text modules":

Year of birth 1879, an "Earth-Rabbit-Year": Rabbit, Yin, Earth, Saturn

helpful, good-natured, lets himself be harnessed or exploited, is misjudged, serious, loving, reliable, introverted

Earth in spring: needs warmth (fire, Mars)

Last digit of the year, 9: Earth, Yin, Saturn

(design, limited willingness to take risks, sincere, fair, factual, evening energy, review, harvest, harmony, security)

Season Spring (March): Moon (Yi), Yin and Sun (Kia / Jia), Yang

March (= 2nd month, 1st month is February): Moon, Yin, Rabbit (Mao), Wood, Jupiter, East, Spring Blue Dragon, time of the return of the rain and the resurrection of the dragon

yin: feminine, passive, receiving, giving and covering, non-creative, negative, opposing principle

Hare: modest, careful, closed, sensitive, loyal, reliable

Wood: design, for example the daily routine, with dignity, stability, peacefully

Jupiter: wood (green, greenish shimmer), grow, shape

Birthday March 14th, corresponds to the 9th day, monkey:

agile, flexible, adaptable, capable of development

Heavenly sign (companion) of the day

Birth time 11:30, corresponds to the 7th double lesson, 11: 00-13: 00, horse, Yang / Wu, fire, Mars, south, summer:

Horse: elegant, lively, fast, agile, changeable, sociable

Yang: is assigned to the male, energetic, active, dynamic, procreative and productive, creative, affirmative principle. This also includes sun and light, sky and day, and odd numbers.

Fire: cautiously tackling and realizing a project, putting in a restrained momentum, quiet energy and dynamism, ready to fight and argue only when necessary

Keyword-like summary of the text modules

He is serious and matter-of-fact, sober and reliable, helpful and can be exploited.

He wants to work creatively, is looking for warmth and security.

He organizes his daily routine with dignity and steadfastness while exercising a peaceful activity.

Outwardly, he is lively and agile, attentive and changeable, sociable and talkative.

criticism

There are no known scientific studies on the subject of "Chinese astrology". In the textbook “The Chinese Horoscope” the question is discussed whether the above cases are correct. The author says, "Most of it is true, but not everything" and adds, "Since nobody knows of himself to what extent he has succumbed to the urge to 'help out', this has no evidential value ..." The Chinese astrologer is not interested in an explanation been embarrassed. He had named a set of 24 books, beginning around the year 1700, with which the great Chinese horoscope could be set - but he refused the author access to them. In conclusion, Weber says, "Dealing with Chinese star interpretation brings at least one benefit: it prompts us to check the requirements of our own star interpretation!" ( Weber )

Historical aspects

Based on the idea that China is the “Middle Kingdom” on the flat earth, the belief of the “Son of Heaven”, whom the emperor represents as an earthly equivalent, arose ( Chinese mythology , Shennong , Fu Xi , Huáng Dì ). One did not believe in gods who determine the fate of people. Rather, it was believed that if one followed the directions of heaven, one would be lucky. Disharmonies on earth could be carried over to the heavenly regions and vice versa. So eclipses and comets were signs of heavenly disorders, which pointed to incorrect behavior on the part of the emperor and his ministers. Part of the task of the emperor, as the “son of heaven”, was to pay attention to the harmony between heaven and earth. Under harmony one imagined that heaven, man and earth were to be understood as an interplay of forces that strive for a harmonious balance. This includes the practical application of the teaching of Yin and Yang as well as the five-element teaching (phases of change). They condition each other and interpenetrate, should be processed into a meaningful whole and applied according to the rhythms of the year, month, day and hour.

In order to understand and adhere to the harmony rhythm, a time calculation was required. That was the hour of birth of the Chinese calendar, which is still in use today. The imperial astronomers were commissioned to design one. With its help, all measures should be taken at the right time. This included determining the times of the seasons (course of the sun, solar year) and the various phases of the moon (course of the moon, lunar year). So the lunar and solar calendars developed into a lunisolar calendar. It contained 24 entries for peasant activities such as sowing and harvesting, traditional feast days, festivities and holidays (Chinese calendar). In addition, there are references to possible happy and unhappy days, according to the harmony doctrine and about the duration of the “rulers' retreat”. The masters of the calendar define the power of the king. “... He travels the empire in the direction of the course of the sun ( 天道 , tiān dào , T'ien1-tao4 ), so that just like the cardinal points with the seasons, the insignia of his followers come in harmony with the emblematic virtues of the four world quarters; He thus proves his ability to establish a heavenly order ( 天道 , tiān dào , T'ien1-tao4 ) in the 'land of men' ( 天下 , tiān xià , T'ien1-hsia4 ) - and thus deserves the title ' Son of Heaven '( 天子 , tiān zǐ , T'ien1-tzu3 ), he shows that he is keeping the' way of heaven '( 天道 , tiān dào , T'ien1-tao4 ) ... “.

Observation of the night sky was limited to the movements of the sun and moon. The rest of the planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were also observed, but their movements were not documented (as the Babylonians did). The stars were treated in a similar way and, similar to Babylonia, were grouped into constellations. A star catalog was known with 809 stars in 122 constellations. Occasionally a solar eclipse was also observed. It was only during the Han period (141–87 BC, one of the seven kingdoms) that astronomical knowledge developed more strongly. They later enabled the processing of the sightings of Halley's comet in the years 989, 1066, 1145, 1301 and 1054 of the supernova in the constellation Taurus

"Chinese astrology" does not know how to calculate the positions of the sun, moon and planets, and consequently no horoscope in the western sense. It can therefore be called a calendar interpretation. This is reflected in everyday life to this day. The Chinese sage calls the four times: year and month, day and hour of birth.

Examples
(年 = year, 月 = month, 日 = day, 時 = hour)

		1st example	2nd example
Chinese	German	January 28, 2006 - 11:50 pm	October 10, 2006 - 10:10 am
西元	Western calendar	2006 年 1 月 28 日 23:50 *	2006 年 10 月 10 日 10:10
農曆	Chinese calendar	丙戌年正月初一日子時	丙戌年八月十九日巳時
八字	Eight characters each 2 Sz for year, month, day, hour	乙酉年己丑月戊午日壬子時	丙戌年戊戌月壬申日乙巳時

* January 28, 2006 is the last day of the year. Apparently, this double hour belongs to the following year 丙戌 (borderline case).

Then, according to the Chinese calendar, he calculates the “eight characters” on his fingers. The calendar sheet produced in this way describes the person at the time of their birth. There is never any mention of planets or stars. Everything revolves around the “eight characters” ( 八字 , bāzì ) - two for the year and month, day and hour (the “four pillars” / “four pillar astrology” Chinese  八字 算命 , Pinyin bāzì suànmìng ). A statement is then made.

四	柱	Four	columns
時 柱	日 柱	月 柱	年 柱
Hourly	Daily	Monthly	Annual
pillar	pillar	pillar	pillar
丙	庚	丁	辛	天干 stems of heaven
子	午	酉	卯	地支 branches of earth

The origin of the eight characters is unknown. An old legend is handed down. According to this, “[...] in the distant past they were given to an emperor, who was hard pressed by the barbarians around, as a godsend from heaven to ward off his enemies. Not a word from the stars […] ”( Weber )

"Chinese astrology" has been widely used in everyday life since its early days, for example at funerals or weddings. The “eight characters” of the couple are compared with one another for compatibility. To this day it happens that the man, when proposing marriage to his beloved, gives her his eight characters.

The following scene is described in the novel Kin Ping Meh (Jin Ping Mei), published around 1600: The matchmaker who solicits the hand of Yü Loh for her client says: “'[...] If you are now willing, my suggestion then be so kind as to write down the card with the eight characters of your date of birth so that Mr. Li can have your yes in writing. ' Mon Yü Loh selected a strip of red atlas fabric (red, the color of decency) and had the provisional Fu artist paint the eight characters he wanted on it [...] ”( quoted from Anton Lübke )

Erwin Wickert found out about a similar experience 379 years later. He writes: “[...] I asked the son if he had known his bride for a long time. 'No,' replied the father, 'she is from the neighboring commune; but the middleman brought us the dates of birth, of course, and someone who knew what to do compared the signs of birth and found that they matched. My son saw her last week. '"( Wickert )

marriage

In Mongolia, which had adopted the Chinese calendar, the rule applies that partners match each other if their birth signs are five characters (years, months) apart. Georg Timkowski reports:

“The second, no less important obstacle to marital union with the Mongols is that, according to their prejudices and their own superstitions, with the help of books they investigate the year of birth of the bridegroom and the bride, that is, under which animal circles they were born are so that the mark under which the bride was born should not harm the bridegroom or exceed him in strength; This means that the woman in the family does not get the upper hand over the man. Heavenly signs are counted with them twelve, after which they name the years, as we do the months; they are known under the following names:

1. Chulúnga - the mouse (rat);
2. Utér - the calf (beef);
3. Bar - the tiger;
4. Tolái - the hare;
5. Lu - the dragon;
6. Mogó - the snake;
7. Mori - the horse;
8. Choni - the ram (sheep, goat);
9. Megit - the monkey;
10. Takiá - the chicken;
11. Nochái - the dog;
12. Gachái (Hachai) - the pig; "

The fifth year, to be counted according to the above order, is always that which allows entry into the marriage, and is called Ibegél, the seventh on the other hand: Charschi. For example, if the bride is born under the sign of the mouse or the calf, and the bridegroom is born under the sign of the dragon or the serpent, marriage is legal; but if one of these is born under the sign of the mouse and the other under the sign of the horse, then, even if they were from different tribes, they are not allowed to marry one another. Moreover, they assume that the calf with the tiger, the chicken with the horse, the pig with the snake, are opposing or hostile signs (charschi), and marriage under these signs is absolutely forbidden. "

- Quoted from: Georg Timkowski (spelling corresponds to the original)

literature

• Paula Delsol: Chinese Horoscopes. Bertelsmann, Gütersloh 1973.
• Heidi Mitchener: The Chinese animal symbolism and its influence on the worldview. Verlag Th. Breit, Marquartstein 1980, ISBN 3-922046-07-X .
• Derek Walters: Ming Shu. Art and Practice of Chinese Astrology. M&T Verlag, Edition Astroterra, Zurich / St. Gallen 1987, ISBN 3-7265-3022-3 .
• Derek Walters: Chinese Astrology. History and practice. A methodically structured textbook. M&T Verlag, Edition Astroterra, Zurich 1990, ISBN 3-7265-3039-8 .
• Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Verlag Richard Schikowski, Berlin 1978. (anthology with Gregor Gregorius (Chakra), Ernst Schertel (magic))
• Christopher A. Weidner: Chinese astrology. The practice book. Heyne Verlag, Munich 2006, ISBN 3-453-12054-X .
• Horst Görtz: Practice of Chinese astrology. Textbook by Bazi Suanming. Drachen Verlag, Klein Jasedow 2008, ISBN 978-3-927369-31-3 .
• Manfred Kubny: Traditional Chinese Astrology. Bazi Suanming. The calculation of fate according to the eight characters. Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg 2000, ISBN 3-933257-08-5 .
• Astrology of the I Ching . After d. Ho Lo Li Schu ed. by Wen Kuan Chu u. Wallace A. Sherrill. From d. Engl. Transl. by Matthias Dehne. Diederichs (Yellow Series 65), Cologne 1986, ISBN 3-424-00875-3 .

Web links

Commons : Chinese zodiac  - collection of pictures, videos, and audio files

• Chinese astrology (Astrowiki)
• How did the Chinese zodiac come about?
• Bazi Suanming Chinese terms (耙子, 入門) IATCA (International Academy of Traditional Chinese Astrology)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Derek Walters: Chinese Astrology. History and practice. A methodically structured textbook. M&T Edition Astroterra, Zurich 1990, ISBN 3-7265-3039-8 , p. 20.
2. ↑ Derek Walters, pp. 154, 174.
3. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Suhrkamp TB, Science No. 519, Frankfurt a. M. 1985, ISBN 3-518-28119-4 , p. 240.
4. ↑ Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Astra-Verlag, Leipzig 1930, pp. 26–32.
5. ^ Derek Walters, p. 37.
6. ↑ Harald Weber, p. 12.
7. ↑ Derek Walters, p. 214.
8. ↑ Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Astra-Verlag, Leipzig 1930, pp. 16-17.
9. ↑ Eugen Gabowitsch: Chinese astronomy versus Chinese historiography. In: Efodin Synesis. No. 3/2001, pp. 7-12, Karlsruhe.
10. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Wissenschaft 519, Suhrkamp, ​​1985-2007, ISBN 3-518-28119-4 , pp. 27-37.
11. ^ Vietnamese Year of the Cat. Retrieved February 11, 2019 . 
12. ↑ Harald Weber, p. 13.
13. ↑ Derek Walters, pp. 57-60, 68.
14. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Wissenschaft 519, Suhrkamp, ​​1985-2007, ISBN 3-518-28119-4 , p. 80.
15. ↑ Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Astra-Verlag, Leipzig 1930, pp. 12-14, 36.
16. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Wissenschaft 519, Suhrkamp, ​​Frankfurt 1985-2007, ISBN 3-518-28119-4 , pp. 113-114.
17. ↑ Lingyu Feng et al. a .: Outline of Chinese culture. 2001, ISBN 7-80113-817-1 , pp. 170-174.
18. ↑ Graves, Anne .: Secrets of the Chinese Horoscope All about Chinese astrology . neobooks Self-Publishing, 2013, ISBN 978-3-8476-3411-9 .
19. ↑ Why is there no Cat in the Chinese Zodiac? Retrieved February 11, 2019 . 
20. ↑ ^{a b} Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Astra-Verlag, Leipzig 1930, p. 13.
21. ↑ Harald Weber: The Chinese Horoscope. Astra-Verlag, Leipzig 1930, p. 14.
22. ^ Weber, p. 25.
23. ↑ Harald Weber, p. 38.
24. ↑ Harald Weber, pp. 87-89.
25. ↑ Harald Weber, p. 90.
26. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Pp. 86-109.
27. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Pp. 230-235.
28. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Pp. 66-71.
29. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. Pp. 79-85.
30. ↑ Marcel Granet: The Chinese Thought. P. 240.
31. ^ Dieter Schlueter: History of Astronomy. I + II, Kiel 2000, p. 14.
32. ↑ John North: Vieweg's History of Astronomy and Cosmology. Springer, Berlin 1997, ISBN 3-540-41585-8 , pp. 90-102.
33. ↑ Wolfram Eberhard: Astronomy and worldview in ancient China: Collected essays. Chinese Materials and Research Aids Service Center, Taipei 1970, pp. 11-19, 115-121, 137-142.
34. ↑ Harald Weber, p. 11.
35. ↑ Anton Lübke: The sky of the Chinese. R. Voigtländers Verlag, Leipzig 1931, p. 43.
36. ↑ Erwin Wickert: China seen from the inside. Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, Munich 1984, ISBN 3-453-01889-3 , p. 349.
37. ↑ Georg Timkowski: Journey to China through Mongoley in the years 1820 and 1821. Translated from the Russian by MJAE Schmidt. Third part, Gerhard Fleischer, Leipzig 1826, pp. 299-300.