Peter Mahon

Dr. Ryan Shin

ART 150B2
2 June 2016
The Chinese Zodiac, the Culture of a People, and a National Humiliation
Western countries often perceive the Chinese zodiac as an exotic form of their own
astrology and zodiac, making connections where connections do not need to exist. Oftentimes, it
is presented on the slip of paper in fortune cookies, to humor patrons of a restaurant. Its history
and impact on the Chinese culture are misunderstood by westerners. However, the Chinese
zodiac is quite influential in Asian society, so much so that it can affect annual birthrates. New
years are celebrated with a theme featuring one respective animal at a time. Stolen zodiac
artifacts are tragedies (and made into satire). It has a long history of influence, a mythological
origin, and is a foundation for Asian culture.
The originator of the zodiacs twelve animals is unclear some say it was the Jade
Emperor who came up with the story while others claim it was Buddha but the story is the
same. The twelve animals were chosen to race across a river. The animals placement in the race
determined which year they were celebrated. The rat came in first place and is, therefore, the first
animal celebrated; the pig, being the lazy one, came in last (History).
Each animal in the story of origin portrayed a unique personality. These personality traits
are associated with social and economic outcomes in the real world and are believed to be
influential in the daily activities for an entire year. Friends and family are supposedly excluded
from weddings and funerals if they are born on certain years because of the animal traits
associated with that year (Romero). Families plan births of their children around the animals,

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too. It is considered favorable to be born during the year of the dragon it represents fortune and
luck as opposed to the lazy pig, for example. Economists analyze trends in the market and
create forecasts based around the current and incoming years animal (ibid). Similar to the way
westerners compare their potential mates with their own astrological signs, followers of the
Chinese zodiac may consider the compatibility and success of the relationship based on their
significant others sign (Cultural).
In North American and European countries, a new year is ushered in by counting down
the minutes and hours to midnight of the first day of the year, according to the Gregorian
calendar. Family and friends come together to celebrate with food and drink. Alternatively, cities
hold large celebrations leading to the countdown, such as the ball drop in Times Square. In
contrast, the Chinese usher in the new year, which is based around the lunar calendar, with
massive festivals and celebrations. The theme of these festivals is based on the new years
respective animal. After twelve years pass, the year of the pig transitions back to the year of the
rat. These celebrations allude to a major difference between the calendars. Followers of the
Gregorian calendar celebrate a linear recording of time in which it passes from one year to the
next. The Chinese lunar calendar is considered more cyclical in nature the twelve animals are
cycled through until the end and then starts over again, much like the calendar starting over after
the full rotation of the moon (Romero).
During the Second Opium War in 1860, China saw conflict with Britain and France. As
the foreign forces advanced, Emperor Xianfeng retreated to the Summer Palace in Beijing for
safety. However, the city was eventually overrun by the enemy and the palace was burned down
(Goldfinger). During the assault, French and British forces ransacked the bronze zodiac artifacts
surrounding the water fountain clock at the palaces Yuanming Yuan garden. Over a century and

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a half later, the government of China continues its efforts to retrieve these artifacts bronze
heads of each animal in the Chinese zodiac claiming that they are national treasures.
Possession of these artifacts by foreigners is considered a humiliation in Chinas eyes. It
represents the countrys inability to defend itself from foreigners and a reminder that it lost a war
that represented the interest and fair treatment of its people.
To further the humiliation, renowned Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei created two sets of
replicas of the zodiac heads in order to satire the countrys relentless pursuit of obtaining the
original artifacts, items which he claims are not distinctively Chinese (Fotopoulos 607). As of
June 2016, the golden replicas are on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Tucson, Arizona.
Although Ai Wei Wei disagrees with Chinas need for repatriation, the fact remains that the
Italian Jesuits who created the original heads acknowledged the importance of the Chinese
zodiac to the Qing dynasty emperor (Fotopoulos 606).
Despite its similarities to Western astrology, the Chinese zodiac is a cultural icon with
deep, historical roots that links it to the cycle of life instead of the alignment of stars and planets.
It influences the daily life of the modern Chinese and aids in the predicting the future in a fashion
similar to the way of the ancestors of Chinese past. The impact of the zodiacs influence is so
strong, it is understood and felt by other people and cultures from all over the world. That impact
can take many forms, appearing in the grand form of bronze statues or the misunderstood and
highly entertaining fortune cookie.

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Works Cited
"Chinese Zodiac | Cultural Significance." Chinese Zodiac | Cultural Significance. Web. 30 May
2016. <http://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07030/culture.html>.
"Chinese Zodiac | History." Chinese Zodiac | History. Web. 30 May 2016.
<http://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07030/history.html>.
Fotopoulos, Annetta. "Understanding The Zodiac Saga In China." Modern China 41.6 (2015):
603-630. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 June 2016.
Goldfinger, Shandra. "Opium Wars." Opium Wars. 2006. Web. 31 May 2016.
<https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~goldf20s/politics116/effects.html>.
Romero, Frances. "The Chinese Zodiac." Time. Time Inc., 25 Jan. 2009. Web. 31 May 2016.
<http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1873900,00.html>.