The Chinese zodiac, also known as Shengxiao or Shuxiang, is a method of age calculating which circulated among folk. It is one of the classic culture symbols of China. Differing from the 12 western constellations which are measured by month, the Chinese zodiac has a twelve-year cycle, every year in the circle matches a corresponding animal sign. Every Chinese has his/her own zodiac animal sign according to their birth year. People are said to have characteristics of the animal which symbolises the particular year they were born in. It has a deep-rooted influence among Chinese and also in some other Asian countries and has roots in Buddhism as well.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2021 is the year of ox, dating from Feb.12, 2021 (Chinese New Year) and finishing on Jan.31, 2022. And 2022 is the year of tiger, dating from Feb. 1, 2022 (Chinese New Year) and finishing on Jan. 21, 2023.
