Elevate your hand if you recognize concerning the Korean Zodiac already! Sadly, not many people probably do – not till we’ve learn by means of this text, anyway. Compared to the Western horoscopes and Chinese language Zodiac Indicators, the Korean Zodiac isn’t as well-known.
Maybe many merely suppose that Koreans, too, comply with the Chinese language Zodiac solely. However whereas it’s true that Korean Zodiac derives from the instances of Historic China, it has since change into its personal factor. Studying concerning the completely different Korean Zodiac indicators might be fairly enjoyable, so hopefully, you’ll preserve studying to be taught extra about Korean Zodiac!
Korean Zodiac
Similar to the Chinese language Zodiac, this zodiac system additionally follows the lunar calendar and is predicated on Chinese language astrology fairly than the Western variety. In reality, its origins have been traced again to the instances of historic China and have since change into their very own separate issues.
“Zodiac” in Korean
The Korean phrase for “zodiac” is 띠 (ddi). If somebody asks you, “What’s your Ddi?,” then they’re pertaining to your zodiac signal.
What number of animals are within the Korean zodiac?
Similar to the Chinese language Zodiac, you too can discover 12 animals within the Korean one, with every individual being assigned a zodiac animal based mostly on their beginning yr, and every year is designated to 1 specific zodiac.
Every animal within the zodiac has particular traits and character traits which can be believed to explain the individuals of every zodiac animal.
How do you establish your zodiac signal?
Though every year is appointed to 1 zodiac animal, the cut-off level for any zodiac animal isn’t on the change of the yr. It’s because the zodiacs comply with the lunar calendar. Which means not everybody born in the identical yr has the identical zodiac signal.
For instance, not everybody born within the yr 2021 will belong to the yr of the ox. As a substitute, these born previous to the lunar new yr can be thought of the identical zodiac signal as their friends born within the earlier yr.
Why do individuals ask for somebody’s Korean zodiac signal?
Though it is probably not as in style as asking somebody what their blood sort is, it’s not unusual to be requested what your zodiac signal is. Folks could also be interested in it, principally for enjoyable but in addition to determine your age.
They could additionally ask for some doable insights into your character traits. Many Koreans nonetheless take into account their Korean zodiac signal to be a giant deal, for instance, on the subject of compatibility between two individuals.
As well as, the zodiac animal in illustration every year might also function a tenet for when making huge selections, resembling marriage or job alternatives. Some zodiacs might convey a few greater promise of fortune for taking dangers, whereas others might encourage individuals to remain extra conservative that yr.
Historical past of the Korean Zodiac
As has been talked about above, the Korean zodiac has its origins in historic China. Particularly, it may be thought to be having originated through the instances of the Han Dynasty, greater than 2000 years in the past. In trendy days, many Asian cultures nonetheless use the zodiac.
The Twelve Animals of the Korean Zodiac
Lastly, let’s introduce you to every of the animals within the Korean zodiac! We’ve listed them beneath within the order during which they seem on the zodiac. The order of the animals within the zodiac is as follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Canine, and Pig.
How the animal signal cycle was determined
The previous story says the gods assigned this specific order by having the animals do a swimming competitors. In different phrases, the rat was the primary to succeed in the other financial institution of the swimming competitors, whereas the pig got here in final.
The story varies particularly with how the rat ended up coming in first. Some say the rat jumped off after it hitched a journey on the ox’s again, and others say that the ox supplied to offer the rat the journey to the opposite aspect.
Whichever story you select to imagine, the ending is all the time the identical: the rat got here in first and thus can also be the primary of the twelve animals on this zodiac.
The Rat (쥐 | jwi)
Start years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
As chances are you’ll already guess based mostly on the story, the rat is taken into account to be one of the vital intelligent animal indicators of the zodiac. Folks born within the yr of the rat are additionally believed to be bold, charming, creative, cheerful, and logical. They’re extremely adaptable and fast to react to vary. Additionally they maintain a variety of pursuits.
In case you are from a Western nation, chances are you’ll be fairly stunned by how positively rat is seen within the East. Nonetheless, for Koreans, the yr of the rat is regarded as a wonderful yr for giant life modifications, resembling getting married, beginning a brand new job, or just beginning recent! This yr can also be seen one which’s devoted to renewal and laborious work.
Rats are most suitable with dragons and monkeys. Rats are the least suitable with horses.
The Ox (소 | so)
Start years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Typical ox persons are believed to have a powerful character, with a lot of fearlessness and tolerance. As a tolerant individual, somebody born within the yr of the ox reveals traits of somebody that works laborious, each at their job and at house, however you’ll by no means hear them complain about it.
Additionally they are inclined to work in direction of long-term objectives fairly than short-term ones. Within the yr of the ox, nice fortune might be found by means of working laborious.
Oxen are most suitable with snakes and roosters. Oxes are least suitable with sheep.
The Tiger (호랑이 | horangi)
Start years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Tiger persons are described as delicate, nice empathizers, and deep thinkers. Nonetheless, they’re additionally seen to be extraordinarily short-tempered and sluggish in decision-making. And whereas individuals have nice respect to this zodiac, additionally they tend to get in battle with these older or of upper authority.
They can be too indecisive and should simply get suspicious. Nonetheless, a tiger additionally holds numerous braveness and energy. Each 60 years, the yr of the White Tiger takes place. It’s fairly a polarizing yr, as for others, it alerts it’s prone to be an unfortunate yr, whereas others imagine the precise reverse.
Tigers are most suitable with horses and canine. Tigers are least suitable with monkeys.
The Rabbit (토끼 | tokki)
Start years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Folks born within the yr of the rabbit are seen as pleasant, empathetic, and pleasing firm, with an inclination to be nice communicators and good lecturers. Nonetheless, they’re additionally fairly introverted and personal, usually needing their very own house. The yr of the rabbit is thought to be a fortunate yr amongst Koreans.
Rabbits are most suitable with sheep and pigs. Rabbits are least suitable with roosters.
The Dragon (용 | yong)
Start years: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Those who belong to the dragon years are perceived as bold and dominant, additionally having an important humorousness. Dragons choose to set their very own guidelines to stay by, and when they’re allowed to take action, they usually emerge victorious and profitable. They’re courageous and never afraid to tackle challenges. They’re pushed by a excessive degree of ardour.
They’ll simply lend a serving to hand, however don’t anticipate them to ever ask for assist themselves. Dragons regularly love their alone time greater than the rest, whereas others are simply interested in them because of their liveliness, and particularly their colourful personalities.
They’re most suitable with monkeys and rats. They’re least suitable with canine.
The Snake (뱀 | baem)
Start years: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Once more, while within the Western tradition we might have a barely detrimental impression of snakes, it isn’t the case within the East. Folks born within the yr of the snake are seen as those who’re essentially the most collected of all of the animals within the zodiac.
As well as, they’re additionally essentially the most introspective, intuitive, and refined. They’re additionally largely clever and enigmatic. Nonetheless, snake individuals can be seen as crafty. Such character traits put collectively to make them notably wonderful at conducting enterprise.
Snakes are most suitable with roosters and oxen. Snakes are least suitable with pigs.
The Horse (말 | mal)
Start years: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Many individuals born within the yr of the horse are seen as in style and extremely adaptable. That is because of their cheerfulness and perceptiveness, though they could succumb to speaking excessively. They’re thought to be sensible and proficient but in addition impatient, in addition to terribly cussed and infrequently take heed to recommendation.
Moreover, they’re additionally extremely unbiased, which sadly has made ladies born within the yr of the horse thought of not fascinating brides for marriage. Particularly the ladies born within the yr of the white horse, the final of which was in 2002, are seen as too unbiased for that.
Horses are most suitable with canine and tigers. Horses are least suitable with rats.
The Sheep (양 | yang)
Start years: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
The individuals born within the yr of the sheep are seen as clever, calm, reliable, compassionate, and artistic. Nonetheless, they can be fairly shy and pessimistic and luxuriate in spending a lot of their time alone.
They do additionally take pleasure in being part of a gaggle, though they’d fairly all the time keep out of being the focal point.
Sheep are most suitable with pigs and rabbits. Sheep are least suitable with oxen.
The Monkey (원숭이 | wonsungi)
Start years: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Monkey persons are thought of to be essentially the most intelligent of all of the indicators, much more so than the rat. In reality, you may even describe individuals born within the yr of the monkey as geniuses.
They don’t seem to be solely nice at assessing threat and issues but in addition at fixing them. Normally, they’re fast to make selections. They’re admirably creative, versatile, and skillful and won’t probably discover themselves in bother for lengthy.
Monkeys are most suitable with rats and dragons. Monkeys are least suitable with tigers.
The Rooster (닭 | dalk)
Start years: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Roosters are wonderful at making selections and in addition fairly outspoken. Nonetheless, they can be surprisingly extravagant and should get caught ambitiously daydreaming.
Throughout the yr of the rooster, you’ll should put in numerous laborious and earnest work to keep up new partnerships and friendships.It is usually essential to decelerate and punctiliously take into account all the execs and cons earlier than making any main selections.
Roosters are most suitable with oxen and snakes. Roosters are least suitable with rabbits.
The Canine (개 | gae)
Start years: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
It’s stated that the individuals born within the yr of the canine possess all the perfect traits in human nature. They’re trustworthy, accountable, and intensely loyal, and it’s laborious for individuals to not belief them. Additionally they don’t give any thought to cash, though curiously sufficient, they don’t appear to run wanting it.
Nonetheless, even canine have some unfavorable traits. They are often cussed and just a little egocentric, for instance. You’ll be able to belief that individual born within the yr of the canine is an distinctive chief.
Canine are most suitable with tigers and horses. Canine are least suitable with dragons.
The Pig (돼지 | dwaeji)
Start years: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Lastly, we’ve the pig. You’ll be able to assume individuals born within the yr of the pig to be chivalrous, considerate, and as loyal as one might be. They are going to solely have a number of good pals, however these friendships will probably final a lifetime.
They love to find new info however don’t discuss quite a bit. The yr of the pig is regarded as one stuffed with luck and fertility.
Pigs are most suitable with rabbits and sheep. Pigs are the least suitable with snakes.
The 12-year and the 60-year cycle
These had been methods to designate the passage of time in days, months, and years. It was additionally utilized in different Asian nations, most notably in historic China. The 12-year cycle, in fact, relates on to the animals of the zodiac.
On this case, they’re referred to collectively because the Twelve Earthly Branches. It was used along with one other system, Ten Heavenly Stems.
Collectively, one of many Twelve Earthly Branches and one of many Ten Heavenly Stems would title every year. The Twelve Earthly Branches symbolize every animal, whereas the Ten Heavenly Stems symbolize a component, resembling steel or water.
For instance, the Lunar yr of 2022 is thought to be the yr of the Water Tiger. With twelve branches and ten stems, it takes 60 years to undergo every doable mixture, thus reaching the 60-year cycle. That is one huge motive why an individual’s sixtieth birthday is seen as a extremely vital one to have fun in Korea.
What’s your signal within the Korean zodiac? Do you suppose the outline matches you properly or poorly? Tell us beneath within the feedback!
Additionally, if you want to be taught extra about how the Lunar calendar has formed Korean society, chances are you’ll wish to learn our articles on Korean Lunar New Yr and Korean Thanksgiving, for instance.
