For generations the Shēngxiào (生肖), also known as the “Chinese Zodiac”, has been used for planning the future and as an indicator of ones relationship to others and the world around them. In addition to the traits associated with each animal sign, each year is governed by one of the five Cosmic elements and each element has their own associated traits. They are:
Wood: Morality; appreciative and unselfish
Fire: Born-leaders; decisive and confident
Earth: Logical; possessed of foresight and deductive reasoning
Metal: Ambitious; confident and determined
Water: Communicative; persuasive, yet unobtrusive
According to legend (there are many variations and this is but one), the Jade Emperor once called a meeting of the animals. In order to reach him, they needed to cross a great river and it was determined
The signs presented below are a simplified version of the Chinese Zodiac, and were determined using the following Zodiac calculator.
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Fictional History 