Chinese astrology is the art of foretelling the future taken from the Chinese calendar. It is based on ancient Chinese philosophy and astronomy with emphasis on the 60-year sexagenary cycle documented since the Shang Dynasty. The cycle has been created from two cycles such as the ten heavenly stems having the five elements in yin and yang forms as well as the twelve-year animal cycle also known as the Chinese zodiac. This animal zodiac runs on hours of the day and on a monthly cycle also known as moons.

Unlike the occidental zodiac, the Chinese zodiac pertains to a calendrical cycle, which means that it does not have equivalent constellations. In imperial ages, some astrologers would watch the skies for omens to help predict the state’s future, which was a different practice for prophesizing in today’s time.