Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac

Cultural Significance

The Chinese zodiac is an important factor to the Chinese culture. The signs have been used for a very long time as a way of dating years in a 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. The importance of the zodiac to the Chinese culture is that the animal signs have been used in stories and folklore. These developed the different personality traits that were represented with each animal.

Cultural Significance

Still even today, millions of people in China believe these predictions and “superstitions” that are described within the Chinese zodiac. Some in the Chinese culture have also based their relationships according to the zodiac.

For example, some find their mates and friends by looking for someone with the zodiac sign that is compatible with their own. They also use it to see whom they would get along with and work best with. In general, the zodiac provides guidance on how people live their lives. The Chinese zodiac plays an interesting role in influencing the culture and community of China.

Multiple Choice

What does the word 'superstition' mean?

• a belief or way of behaving based on the fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck

• you have super powers

• you do not believe in faith, magic or good luck

• this is not a word

​The Chinese Zodiac is made up of 12 different animals. These animals represent 12 different years. The Zodiac is on a cycle that repeats itself every 12 years. The Zodiac animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following IS a Zodiac animal?

• Donkey

• Panda

• Monkey

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a Zodiac animal?

• Dragon

• Rabbit

• Pig

• Cheetah

The Chinese Lunar Calendar

The Chinese Zodiac is based on the Lunar, or Moon Calendar. This calendar is about 4000 years old and is based on the cycles of the moon. The Lunar New year is on a different day each year. It begins sometime in January or Febuary.

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE

Lunar mean moon

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Chinese Mythology

​There are several stories about the Chinese Zodiac. The most popular story is called the great race. In this story, the Jade Emperor wanted 12 animals to protect his kingdom, so he set up a race. During the race, the animals had to cross a dangerous river. The first 12 animals to cross the river and reach the finish line would protect the Jade Emperor and become part of the Chinese Zodiac.

The Great Race

Collect the printed story of the Great Race from Mrs Hickson.
Read the story carefully before moving to the next slides.

Reorder

Reorder the following animals according to how they finished the race.

• Rat

• Ox

• Tiger

• Rabbit

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Reorder

Reorder the following animals according to how they finished the race.

• Dragon

• Snake

• Horse

• Sheep

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Reorder

Reorder the following animals according to how they finished the race.

• Monkey

• Rooster

• Dog

• Pig

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Multiple Choice

Which animals did NOT finish the race?

• Cat

• Dog

• Pig

• Rooster

Multiple Choice

Which animal did the Emperor call Lazy?

• The Goat

• The Pig

• The Monkey

• The Snake