Chinese Calendar (Lotus) 1000 Rubles 2025, Silver 999, 500 pcs.

The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, its cycle lasts 60 years and consists of 12 zodiac signs and 5 elements (earth, wood, metal, fire, water). Each year combines one of the signs and one of the elements, for example, "Fire Horse" or "Wood Snake". The zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years, and the date of Chinese New Year changes annually and depends on the lunar calendar.

Legend of the origin of the signs

There are several legends about how the zodiac signs appeared. One of them tells about the Jade Emperor, who organized a race between animals. The first 12 finishers received a place in the calendar. The order in which the animals finished the competition: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Another legend says that Buddha invited animals to a feast on his birthday. They had to cross a river, and the order in which they arrived determined the sequence of signs in the calendar.

Symbolism of animals

The animals in the calendar have symbolic meaning and are associated with the character traits of people born in the corresponding year. Here are brief descriptions of some of them:

• Rat. Considered a smart, resourceful and easily adaptable animal. People born in the Year of the Rat are believed to be witty, charming and ambitious.
• Ox. Represents hard work, perseverance, honesty and practicality. In Chinese culture, the ox symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
• Tiger. Symbolizes strength and courage. Those born in the Year of the Tiger are believed to be practical, self-confident, and possess leadership qualities.
• Rabbit. Symbolizes longevity, peace and prosperity. People born in the Year of the Rabbit, according to Chinese beliefs, are vigilant, quick-witted and erudite.
• Dragon. Considered a symbol of power, luck and greatness. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a mythical creature associated with imperial power.
• Snake. Associated with wisdom, cunning and insight.
• Horse. Symbolizes energy, charisma and emotionality.
• Sheep (Goat). Represents talent, imagination, but also laziness and impracticality.
• Monkey. Considered cunning and smart, loves to joke and challenge.
• Rooster. Symbolizes hard work, but its life can be full of ups and downs.
• Dog. Represents honesty, devotion and loyalty.
• Pig. Symbolizes wealth, honesty and practicality. People born in the Year of the Pig are believed to be patient and sociable.

Interesting facts

• Different countries have adapted the calendar in their own way. For example, in Vietnam, the Year of the Cat is celebrated instead of the Rabbit, in Japan, the Year of the Boar instead of the Pig, and the Turkic peoples of Central Asia replaced the Tiger with the Leopard, the Pig with the Elephant, and the Rat with the Camel.
• In Chinese culture, some animals and their symbols are used as talismans, especially during the celebration of Chinese New Year.

The Chinese calendar and horoscope are not only a time-keeping system, but also a reflection of China's cultural and mythological ideas, where each animal carries a certain symbolism and associations with human qualities.