by The twelve signs according to the Tibetan zodiac
The twelve animals of Tibetan astrology are derived from Chinese astrology. Unlike the Western zodiac, which is based on the tropical zodiac, Tibetan astrology operates on a twelve-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal. This cycle repeats every twelve years. The order of the animals, along with their names in the Chinese zodiac, is as follows:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare (Rabbit), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat), Monkey, Bird (Rooster), Dog, Boar (Pig).
On your hand, there are also the twelve animals of the twelve-year cycle (the same cycle used by Chinese astrology). The animals are in correspondence with the fingers of the hand, except for the thumb. The little finger and index finger are divided into four regions, two regions formed by the upper and lower phalanx and two regions near the folds of the central phalanx. We still consider two areas near the upper and lower phalanges for the middle and ring fingers. The count starts from the base of the middle finger. It continues clockwise, moving up the index finger and then onto the middle and ring fingers, before descending the little finger and touching the base of the ring finger to return to the middle finger.
The 12 zodiac animals
Each sign of the Tibetan zodiac has its qualities and characteristics, as in our Western zodiac. In the chapter on the Elements, we have already noted the limited importance that Byung rTsis astrology attributes to the descriptive and interpretative elements, favouring the combinatorial aspect; the same applies to signs. Below, we briefly describe the twelve signs according to the Tibetan manuscripts.
| Rat | The Rat individual is brought to tranquillity. He is not particularly friendly or outgoing, but tends towards stability instead. He does not have an easy character. Even if he does good to others, others don’t notice. He appears outwardly open and relaxed, but inwardly, he is endowed with strength and critical sense. He always says what he thinks. He is helpful but not generous. He overlooks significant opportunities in favour of small ones. He has an inquiring soul. |
| Ox | The Rat individual is brought to tranquillity. He is not particularly friendly or outgoing but tends towards stability instead. He does not have an easy character. Even if he does good to others, others don’t notice. He appears outwardly open and relaxed, but inwardly, he is endowed with strength and critical sense. He always says what he thinks. He is helpful but not generous. He overlooks significant opportunities in favour of small ones. He has an inquiring soul. |
| Tiger | The Tiger is a dangerous, active, and intelligent animal. People born under this sign are protective and loyal to their close relatives, although they tend to be straightforward and honest in their dealings. They think profoundly and enjoy gambling and business. |
| Hare | This individual’s motto is “I live for myself.” The Hare is independent and does not rely on the help of others. He believes that survival is the most important thing and that the world offers various opportunities. He may exhibit deviant or indirect behaviours, and sometimes he can be dishonest, but he is always skilled at what he does. Although he may initially appear smiling and generous, he is actually quite stingy. He may also experience stomach and bladder ailments. |
| Dragon | The Dragon is neither dangerous nor overly active; instead, he is good and never commits evil deeds. Although he is not very powerful, he cannot be harmed by others. He doesn’t exert himself too much, but he also doesn’t procrastinate when it comes to his actions or responsibilities. He tends to get angry quickly, but he holds no grudges. While he enjoys talking, he also loves to listen. Generally, he does not experience many physical ailments, but if he does become ill, the sickness can be pretty severe. |
| Snake | The Snake has a challenging character, often influenced by aggressive and critical thoughts. Despite this, he is kind-hearted, optimistic, and focused on the future. While others may feel jealous of him, few possess the strength to confront him. However, he tends to self-destruction and can sometimes exhibit a narrow-mindedness that leads to cruelty. Once he makes a decision, he is unlikely to change it. Additionally, he may experience stomach and liver issues. |
| Horse | The Horse individual is believed to possess miraculous powers and the ability to exert great effort. Even when chased by a thousand enemies, he remains undefeated. Old age is viewed as preferable to youth. He has excellent listening skills, and he is passionate about horses. It enjoys walking and playing, is selfless, and consistently helps others. He requires little sleep and experiences many ups and downs in his life. |
| Sheep | The Sheep individual doesn’t talk much and isn’t too bright. He may have a coarse character. He loves to eat. He cannot harm others, but he also does not sacrifice himself for others. He is generally good-natured and good-hearted. Always relaxed, he doesn’t need to run. He is not lazy, but he struggles to complete tasks on time. He doesn’t let anyone know his preferences. He is a farsighted person. |
| Monkey | The Monkey is intelligent but tends to be quiet and has a poor character. Individuals born under this sign are often lean and not very robust. They may lack an open mind and depth of thought. Monkeys tend to be irresponsible, prioritising play and fun over responsibilities. It’s often unwise to fully trust what they say, as they can speak out of turn, gossip, and be dishonest easily. While they have a strong preference for cleanliness, they often eat unhealthily. They are overly ambitious and consistently harbour grand plans, seeking self-glory. |
| Bird | It is easy for Bird individuals to break free from possessions, bonds, and obligations. They often offer advice, but rarely accept it themselves. They are prey to strong sexual instincts and always need company. They love to be clean and tidy and don’t need much sleep. They are prone to blindness. They love fashion and clothing, and they often smile. They prefer to walk with graceful movements. They are very friendly. |
| Dog | The Dog is proud, sometimes to an unbearable degree, and harbours feelings of hatred. He struggles to be kind to others, despite his best efforts. His self-interest often takes precedence over the needs of those around him. His thoughts are haunted by inner turmoil. He attempts to do the right thing, yet his efforts often fall short of his expectations. He has a strong love for meat and enjoys being outdoors, making him an excellent walker. His powerful sex drive and passion for travel contribute to his adventurous spirit. Mentally gifted, he enjoys the company of refined individuals. |
| Boar | The Boar is not particularly clever and enjoys eating just about anything, regardless of its quality. He practices yoga and possesses good self-discipline. However, he often takes advantage of others and tries to exploit them. He struggles to help himself and is known to lie. Physically, he has a big stomach, and while he is kind to good people, he can be harmful to those he considers bad. He rarely smiles and tends to be unbearable at times. Overall, he has a complicated personality. |
Strength of the signs
The importance or strength of a sign is closely related to its position relative to the cardinal points. The association of signs with specific directions is analogous to the division of the Western zodiac into cardinal, fixed, and mutable signs. The most powerful signs are those located in the main directions: Tiger (East), Boar (North), Monkey (West), and Snake (South).
| SIGNS | STRENGTH |
|---|---|
| Tiger, Monkey, Boar, Snake | Best |
| Rat, Horse, Bird, Hare | Good |
| Ox, Sheep, Dragon, Dog | Fair |
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