Chinese Astrology and Philosophy

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Chinese Astrology and Philosophy

• By Martha Schulenburg

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Daoism and the Classical Elements

• The concept of harmony and balance in Daoism
  reveres the four classical elements air, water,
  fire, and earth.
  
• In astrology, fire, water, metal, wood, and earth
  are considered balancing elements in the natural
  world.
  
• Each elements has its own characteristics, and in
  turn one born under those signs has those traits.
  
  
• Throughout the evolution of religion in
  philosophy in China, customs and beliefs were
  adopted in to the astrological beliefs.
  

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The Four Constellations

• The four constellations each represent a cardinal
  direction and a season.
  
• Bai Hu (Byakko) is the White Tiger of the east
  and autumn.
  
• Qing Long (Sieryuu) is the Azure Dragon of the
  east and spring.
  
• Zhu Que (Suzaku) is the Vermillion Bird of the
  south and summer.
  
• Xuan Wu (Gembu) is the Black Tortoise of the
  north and winter.
  

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The 12 Zodiac Animals

• According to legend, Buddha called all of the
  animals of the world to come to him, and only 12
  showed up.
  
• Those 12 were rewarded by Buddha by being given a
  year, hence the 12 year zodiac cycle.
  
• They are, in order Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit,
  Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster,
  Dog, and Boar.
  
• The Chinese New Year date varies by year, so one
  born before the Chinese new year will still be
  under the sign of the previous animal. (for
  example, 1991 was the year of the sheep, but I
  was born in February before the new year, so I am
  a horse instead of a sheep).

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I Ching

• Often regarded as a method of divination in the
  west, I Ching is an ancient book on symbolism.
  
• The practices in the book are derived from an
  ancient method of fortune telling.
  
• It was said to be written by the emperor Fu Hsi
  around 2250 BCE.
  
• The book is now commonly used for interpretation
  of symbols in divination.
  
• I Ching is one of the most read of Chinese
  classical liturature.

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Yin and Yang

• Yin and Yang, or pinyin, is the Daoist concept of
  how dualities are interdependent of each other
  and how they balance the other in the natural
  world .
• Many aspects, such as light and dark, or male and
  female, are either yin or yang in Chinese
  philosophy.
  

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