avatarHCwrites

Summary

The article clarifies the determination of Chinese zodiac animals for Capricornians and Aquarians, emphasizing the importance of using the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar.

Abstract

The content addresses a common misconception in the interpretation of the Chinese zodiac by pointing out that the zodiac animal for an individual is not solely based on the Gregorian birth year. It explains that the lunar calendar, which begins on the new moon between January 21st and February 20th, must be referenced to accurately identify one's Chinese zodiac sign. For December Capricornians, the Gregorian birth year aligns with the zodiac animal of that year. However, January Capricornians are associated with the zodiac animal of the previous year, as their birthday falls before the Lunar New Year. Aquarians born in January and February must verify the Lunar New Year's start in their birth year to determine their correct zodiac animal—if their birthday precedes the Lunar New Year, they share the animal of the preceding year; if not, they align with their birth year's animal.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that online sites often oversimplify Chinese zodiac predictions by not accounting for the lunar calendar.
  • There is a critical nuance missing in many public discussions about determining one's Chinese zodiac animal.
  • The author believes it is essential to use the lunar calendar to ascertain the correct zodiac animal for individuals born in January and early February.
  • The article implies that brevity in astrological content can lead to inaccuracies and a loss of important cultural details.
  • The author provides a correction to a statement made in a CNN article regarding the determination of zodiac animals for those born in 2024.

Capricornians and Aquarians, Do You Know Your True Chinese Zodiac Animal?

It might not be what you think it is

Author-generated AI image showing an elegant water bearer pouring water out of a jar, a few large goldfish jumping out of the water, and very likely incorrect depictions of constellations of stars in the night sky.

Whenever the Lunar New Year rolls around, online sites tend to push out yearly predictions for the twelve Chinese zodiac animals to attract viewers.

But sometimes brevity in writing ends up sacrificing important nuances.

Take this recent CNN article which contains this statement:

Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth, meaning those born in 2024 will fall under the Dragon sign.

Well, yes and no.

This sweeping statement holds true for most people but not for some Capricornians and Aquarians.

The missing nuance was this: You are supposed to refer to the lunar calendar to determine your Chinese zodiac animal, not the Gregorian calendar.

Every lunar new year begins on the new moon between 21 January and 20 February and the start date varies from year to year.

I’ll break it down for Capricornians and Aquarians who want to know about their Chinese zodiac animal:

December Capricornians

That sweeping statement applies to you.

Your birth year will always correlate to the zodiac animal associated with your birth year.

January Capricornians

That sweeping statement doesn’t apply to you.

Your Chinese zodiac animal is always the animal associated with the year before your birth year because your birthday is before the Lunar New Year for your birth year.

Both January and February Aquarians

That sweeping statement may or may not apply to you. You need to check when the Lunar New Year started in your birth year.

If your birthday is before the Lunar New Year, then your Chinese zodiac animal is the animal associated with the year before your birth year.

If your birthday falls on or after the Lunar New Year, then your Chinese zodiac animal is the animal associated with your birth year.

Hope this was short, sweet, and valuable!

Astrology
Lunar New Year
Aquarius
Capricorn
Nonfiction
Recommended from ReadMedium