In Chinese calendar, the 12 animals represent every two hours within the clock. The concept is similar to Constellation. The original is unknown, but there are beliefs that the sequence and arrangement of the animals are related to their behaviors and activities. Each individual takes up two hour.
The first, is the Rat, from 11pm to 1am. This is the time while rats are most active.
Second, is the Ox from 1am to 3am. This is the time for cow to ruminant.
Third, is the Tiger, from 3am to 5am. This is the best time for tiger to hunt food.
Fourth, is the Rabbit, from 5am to 7am. This is the time for rabbit to grind medicine on the moon. There is a belief that there is a rabbit staying on the moon in the olden days.
Fifth, is the Dragon, from 7am to 9am. This is the time when the dragon shuttle in the cloud to make rain for the earth.
Sixth, is the Snake, from 9am to 11am. This is the time for the snake to start the day.
Seventh, is the Horse, from 11am to 1pm. This is noon time, and it’s the hottest temperature of the day and the best time for the horse to run about.
Eighth, is the Goat, from 1pm to 3pm. This is the best time to let goats on the field, while the green grass will make them stronger and healthier.
Nineth, is the Monkey, from 3pm to 5pm. This is the most active time for monkeys.
Tenth, is the Rooster, from 5pm to 7pm. This is the time where chicken return to their home sweet home.
Eleventh, is the Dog, from 7pm to 9pm. This is the time where dogs are on guard.
Twelveth, is the Pig, from 9pm to 11pm. This is the pigs bed time.
The stories may varies and it takes many years to form the interesting arrangement. But, culture and fairy tales are the most delighting and joyful stuffs!
The Twelve Animal Kingdom is a twelve cycle that corresponds to Years rather than Months. So a person can be born in the year of Dragon, Tiger so on and so forth if we mention about the Chinese Calendar Zodiac.
thoughtsfromanamericanwoman said:
November 20, 2012 at 9:30 am
Not sure if I understand it, I think I am an Ox – not sure about that one! 🙂 But I was born after midnight which puts me in the Rat category…ummm I think you are trying to tell me something here! 😀 Patty
Not only is astrology total nonsense, but I was born in the year of the rat! It’s true that I enjoy cheese and my teeth are a bit pointy, but otherwise there’s little resemblance. Except for my burrowing behavior and…..
thoughtsfromanamericanwoman said:
November 21, 2012 at 12:37 am
ok, so I was born in the year of the Ox but I am a rat…ummm, still don’t like the sound of that one!! 🙂 But like someone stated earlier, I do love my cheese! 😉 I am gong to have to do more research on this. Thanks for posting this, I will share it with my sister.
I’m born in the year of a Tiger. I love tigers in general. But now I know why no matter how tired, I always wake up when it hits 3-5am and is the most productive in my work..hahaha!!! 🙂
So, what animal are you? Before I looked at these comments, my inner voice told me that there would be mostly Ox people here. I don’t know how I knew that. I am a sheep by the way. Lazy, easily distracted but love children and animals. 😉
AddGrainOnEarth 
November 20, 2012 at 7:14 am
The dog 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 8:50 am
haha! 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 9:30 am
Not sure if I understand it, I think I am an Ox – not sure about that one! 🙂 But I was born after midnight which puts me in the Rat category…ummm I think you are trying to tell me something here! 😀 Patty
November 20, 2012 at 9:46 am
if you born after mid-night, surely is rat! that it! nothing else! 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 2:08 pm
I was born in the year of the Dragon. Before I even knew this I was a collector and maker of dragons, was this coincidence?
November 20, 2012 at 2:15 pm
your past life could be a Dragon then! 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Not only is astrology total nonsense, but I was born in the year of the rat! It’s true that I enjoy cheese and my teeth are a bit pointy, but otherwise there’s little resemblance. Except for my burrowing behavior and…..
November 20, 2012 at 2:13 pm
and you looks like Mickey mouse? LOL!
November 20, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Well, I do have big ears too.
November 20, 2012 at 4:40 pm
that is fine as long is not pig ears! 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 11:57 pm
No, that would put me in another month!
November 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm
I am an ox , bu ton the other animals a tiger if it is the time when you are born. xx
November 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm
usually we refer which year you were born, the time is the secondary!
November 21, 2012 at 12:37 am
ok, so I was born in the year of the Ox but I am a rat…ummm, still don’t like the sound of that one!! 🙂 But like someone stated earlier, I do love my cheese! 😉 I am gong to have to do more research on this. Thanks for posting this, I will share it with my sister.
November 20, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Por el año de nacimiento soy Tigre 😀
Pero la parte de arriba no la entiendo. ¿Se supone que es según la hora en que naciste?
Besos
November 20, 2012 at 10:03 pm
🙂
November 20, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I am an OX! Trust me, it fits 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 10:03 pm
okay! I believe you!
November 20, 2012 at 8:38 pm
A Monkey I be lol 3 to 5 PM maybe this is right it is when I finish up with stuff and begin supper 🙂
November 20, 2012 at 10:05 pm
seems like the story quite fit everybody!
November 20, 2012 at 11:41 pm
🙂 yes
November 20, 2012 at 11:03 pm
i’m a “Rat”, but i sleep like a Pig! (9pm-11pm bed time),
cant be active after 11pm as surely i’m already snoring, well let’s say i’m actively snoring LOL
November 20, 2012 at 11:28 pm
then could it be rat but born in the year of pig? LOL!
November 20, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I’m a snake…. LOL… but then I got over the shock of that several years ago… LOL 😀
November 21, 2012 at 12:14 am
as long you are not Anaconda! I think is okay!
November 21, 2012 at 12:31 am
Snake … and if they prefer to start the day between 9-11 a.m., that makes sense 🙂
November 21, 2012 at 9:49 am
haha! you are another funny person!
November 21, 2012 at 1:04 am
mixedupdragonlady here.
November 21, 2012 at 1:14 am
haha! you must be Miss fairy tale dragon!
November 21, 2012 at 1:31 am
I am the OX 🙂
November 21, 2012 at 1:35 am
mooooo! welcome to farmville!
November 21, 2012 at 1:49 am
ha ha! pretty cool :-p
November 21, 2012 at 3:43 am
I love the chinese zodiac, I have read many books on them and I am true believer.
November 21, 2012 at 9:46 am
I take it as a fairy tale and famrville to read, but isn’t it good to share with everybody in the world? have a great day! cheers!
November 21, 2012 at 4:05 am
I am a Rooster and my son is a Rooster too 🙂
November 21, 2012 at 9:42 am
I start imagine a rooster mom chasing a rooster kid, or the other way, it must be very funny! thanks for visiting my site! cheers!
November 21, 2012 at 4:59 am
I’m born in the year of a Tiger. I love tigers in general. But now I know why no matter how tired, I always wake up when it hits 3-5am and is the most productive in my work..hahaha!!! 🙂
November 21, 2012 at 9:38 am
because you are the eyes of the tiger!
November 21, 2012 at 6:32 am
So, what animal are you? Before I looked at these comments, my inner voice told me that there would be mostly Ox people here. I don’t know how I knew that. I am a sheep by the way. Lazy, easily distracted but love children and animals. 😉
November 21, 2012 at 9:36 am
I am a rabbit! a crafty rabbit! LOL!
November 21, 2012 at 8:22 pm
a cuddly one more likely, would be my suspicion : )
November 21, 2012 at 10:54 pm
haha! okay!
November 21, 2012 at 1:37 pm
I’m snake, and I always eat snake during work! hahahaha
November 21, 2012 at 10:50 pm
haha, I am rabbit, dun swallow me!
November 22, 2012 at 4:58 am
Hej, I am a Tiger, but I don¨t think I am most active between those hours,it is when you would mainly wanna sleep :))
November 22, 2012 at 10:12 am
you could be drinking to much tiger beer then! LOL!
November 22, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Interesting and fun! Year of the Rabbit year with a Dragon…quite a combination 🙂
November 22, 2012 at 9:55 pm
indeed! 🙂
November 27, 2012 at 6:20 am
I am a rabbit. 🙂
November 27, 2012 at 10:22 am
me too!but I am the rare breed rabbit! LOL!Thanks for reading my post!
December 3, 2012 at 5:25 am
I am a rat … just found out about how elements affect the signs too. Interesting stuff! Thanks for your blog.
December 3, 2012 at 8:58 am
Thanks, Berry! you are a rat I am a rabbit, we are from the same family! 🙂
December 4, 2012 at 5:36 am
And it’s a good family, no? 🙂
December 4, 2012 at 9:35 am
Yes, definitely, it is! 🙂
December 5, 2012 at 3:52 am
😀