Based on the traditional Chinese calendarwhich dates back almost five millennia, each year is associated with an animal sign according to the zodiac cycle in connection. The twelve animal signs are (in order): Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2022 was the year of the tiger and 2023 is therefore the year of the rabbit.
The zodiac in our sky also includes five figures that are not animals: Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius. However, the zodiac in our sky corresponds to the constellations through which the sun moves in the course of a year. In contrast, the twelve signs of the zodiac in the Chinese calendar have no direct connection to the starry sky.
The fact that even in China twelve figures in the zodiac probably goes back to the scarce twelve-year orbital period of the bright planet Jupiter back.
Thanks to the role of the moon and sun, the calendar and seasons are never out of sync. New Year is always in winter. Many years are twelve months long - but some are thirteen.
In addition to the animal zodiac signs, which each rule for one year, the Tiger, Dog, Rabbit and others are associated with one of the five different elements: earth, metal, wood, fire or water. These elements in turn represent certain character traits.
2023 is in the element of water and, according to traditional belief, ensures that the new year is characterized by openness and flexibilitybut also rationality will be characterized by rationality.