Chinese Zodiac Symbols

It is so wonderful to have a balance of Chinese zodiac symbols to use with the western astrological signs. It is fascinating to study the different horoscopes with respect to birthdates (and times) and find that each of the Chinese zodiac symbols are as close to being accurate personality indicators as the western symbols/signs are. It is also interesting to consider how the symbols extend to being used in something other than telling one’s future/luck/personality.

My favorite indulgence with Chinese zodiac symbols, for instance, is playing a game called Mahjong Garden, at Pogo.com. Each set won (or completed) yields a “reward” of one of the Chinese zodiac symbols anthropomorphized and spiritualized. Okay, let me clarify: There are twelve individual tile arrangements that you play. Each arrangement is in the design of one of the Chinese zodiac symbols. At the successful matching of all tiles on the board, an animated scroll appears, opens, and reveals one of the animals, holding an object that represents a phenomenon or human spiritual characteristic. Here are the Chinese zodiac symbols and their “gift”, as they appear on Pogo:

1st game—rat is the design, and the rat brings the gift of charm or jade, representing perfection
2nd game—ox is the design, and the ox brings the gift of optimism or apples, representing education
3rd game—tiger is the design, and the tiger brings the gift of sensitivity
4th game—rabbit is the design, and the rabbit brings the gift of humility or oranges, representing good fortune
5th game—dragon is the design, and the dragon brings the gift of energy or a green box, symbolizing harmony
6th game—snake is the design, and the snake brings the gift of intellect
7th game—horse is the design, and the horse brings the gift of popularity or cheer
8th game—ram is the design, and the ram brings the gift of love or the arts
9th game—monkey is the design, and the monkey brings the gift of energy
10th game—rooster is the design, and the rooster brings the gift of pride or a gold box, representing strength
11th game—dog is the design, and the dog brings the gift of noodles, representing long life
12th game—boar is the design, and the boar brings the gift of sincerity.

And with that completed set, you get a whole scroll opening across the screen, that has all of the Chinese zodiac symbols—all the animals. Now if we could only embody all of the characteristics of the Chinese zodiac!