BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA

Every New Year, many people check their fortune for the year ahead, looking into either Chinese animal signs or zodiac signs.

In the Filipino-Chinese community, animal signs are often used to guide decisions related to family, business, health, and everyday matters.

Meanwhile, others turn to zodiac signs, commonly found in newspapers or social media, to predict their fate.

But what really sets these two apart?

Animal signs are based on the Chinese zodiac, which revolves around 12 animals that repeat in 12-year cycles.

Each year, month, day, and even hour is represented by one of these animals:

Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

These animals are believed to impart distinct characteristics to individuals born during their respective times.

Contrary to some beliefs, the Chinese zodiac is deeply rooted in mathematics and the alignment of planets and stars.

On the other hand, zodiac signs are based on Western astrology and connect your birth to the position of the Sun, stars, and planets.

The 12 zodiac signs include: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Each sign has corresponding elements and traits that shape a person’s personality.

The Chinese zodiac dates back over 2,000 years, originating during China’s Han Dynasty.

Meanwhile, zodiac signs have roots in Babylonian astronomy as far back as 1,000 BCE.

While both systems relate to fortune and personality, there are key differences:

Animal signs focus on the year of birth and follow a 12-year cycle.

Zodiac signs, however, are based on the month and day of birth and do not change yearly.

Additionally, animal signs incorporate the elements of fire, water, metal, wood, and earth, whereas zodiac signs are heavily influenced by Western astrology.

Thus, animal signs and zodiac signs are not just belief systems, they reflect the culture and history of the world.

Despite their differences, both offer guidance and hope, helping people seek meaning and direction in life.