Chinese Zodiac

Chinese Zodiac

Origin of the Chinese Zodiac

The origins of the zodiac can be traced back to ancient China, beginning around the pre-Qin period and taking shape in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is a fusion of astronomy, calendaring and folklore, with twelve animals - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig - representing the twelve hours of the year, forming a unique system of timekeeping and symbolism. Each animal is selected according to its habits and cultural symbolism and is arranged in a sequence from the Zishi, first hour (rat) to the Haishi, twelve hour (pig), and so on. This system is not only used for timekeeping, but also contains auspicious symbols, and is widely used in art, folklore, numerology, etc. It has become an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture, carrying a unique knowledge and deep emotion of time, nature and life.


Folktales of the Chinese Zodiac

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Rat: According to legend, when the Jade Emperor chose the Chinese zodiac, the rat rode on the back of an ox by virtue of its wit, and when the ox reached the end of the line, it leaped down and won the first place, and has since become the head of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, which means wisdom and flexibility.

Ox: The ox is a diligent and hardworking ox, helping people to cultivate the fields, and because of its modesty, it lets the mouse get to the finish line first, but it is still in second place, symbolizing the spirit of hard work and perseverance.

Tiger: As the king of all beasts, the tiger is powerful and its image is often used to ward off evil spirits and protect the home, representing courage and strength.

Rabbit: A gentle rabbit that accompanies Chang'e in the Moon Palace, the rabbit is said to have wisely escaped from the fox's pursuit, symbolizing resourcefulness and kindness.

Dragon: The dragon(also known as Long) is the totem of the Chinese nation, capable of riding the clouds and calling the wind and rain, it is a symbol of honor and power, and also represents good fortune and luck.

Snake: Although often misunderstood as cold and cunning, the snake has its own mysterious and wise side, symbolizing metamorphosis and rebirth, as well as the ability to think deeply.

Horse: The horse is a galloping horse, a hero on the battlefield in ancient times and a companion for daily travel, representing freedom, spontaneity and loyalty.

Sheep: The gentle sheep symbolizes peace and harmony, and the ancient people often use the "Three Sheep" to symbolize good luck and a new year.

Monkey: The monkey is a clever and clever monkey who often solves problems with his wit. The image of the Monkey King is deeply rooted in people's hearts and represents wisdom, bravery and humor.

Rooster: The rooster crows at dawn to wake up, symbolizing diligence and punctuality, and its courageous cockfighting spirit also embodies the indomitable will.

Dog: Loyalty is synonymous with the dog, no matter how rich or poor the owner is, it never leaves, representing loyalty, bravery and guardianship.

Pig: Although often labeled as lazy, the pig also signifies abundance and good fortune in traditional culture, symbolizing a bountiful harvest and a peaceful life. In folktales, piglets also have their naive, cute and lucky side.


Years of Chinese Zodiac

Come on, look at the picture and find out what is your Zodiac!

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Chinese Zodiac Pairings

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China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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Clara
July 07,2025
We had a very memorable experience in Xi’An thanks to the expertise and helpfulness from Norman, who helped us planned our trip, and Waldener, our local tour guide from Into Explore. Norman helped us with the itinerary and bookings of transport and accommodations so it was stress free for me. He asked us our preferences when making the rooms reservation to cater to what we like and recommended the best way and places to explore this city. Our tour guide was also flexible with our schedule so we were able to do what we wanted and working around the weather. We were supposed to go Mt Hua on the 2nd day of our tour but it was forecasted to rain. He switched our itinerary around so we could climb Mt Hua on the 3rd day instead when the rain had stopped. Thank you Into Explore for giving us peace of mind to sit back and enjoy our vacation.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 4
Destination(s): Beijing,Xian,Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 30,2025
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Fernando MARTINEZ
June 05,2025
Fue una buena decisión hacer el Circulo de Oro contratando a Into Explore. Una empresa confiable con una muy buena organización siempre pendientes de nuestros gustos y preferencias. La experiencia de la visita a la Gran Muralla los Soldados Terracota, el Jardín Yu y Shanghái fueron muy interesantes y aprendimos mucho sobre las distintas Dinastías y la historia de China.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3
Destination(s): Beijing,Chongqing,Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: June 12,2025
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Nataša G
May 2025 • Couples
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For smooth travels, I recommend this agency
This agency made sure my trip was 10/10! And I loved the smooth and fast communication we got. We were able to explore China at its finest and had the best time of our lives. If I had any questions during our travel, Vicky was able to help me and solve it immediately. I recommend this agency very much. Thank you!!!
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Apr 2025 • Friends
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Super organized travel agency, it met the thousand requests made and created a tailor-made travel package. Constant support both in the organizational phase before departure and during the trip. Drivers and guides provided during our itinerary super competent and kind. I highly recommend their services and will turn to them for my next trip to China
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Anna
Jun 17, 2025
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Thank you so much for the help you gave…
Thank you so much for the help you gave during my travel process, I would highly recommend your company anytime from the smooth experience you gave. Looking forward for more trips with you.
Robert Gex
Apr 15, 2025
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Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .

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