appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

April Zhang

With the Year of the Dragon beginning on February 10, we have been inundated with the “predictions” of various feng shui masters about our health, money, work and love prospects in the new lunar year. But whether you believe in Chinese zodiac predictions isn’t really the point.
Some take these predictions seriously, carrying out all the steps instructed by the feng shui masters. Others may dismiss the predictions as superstition, reading them purely for amusement, if at all. Neither way is best. The former misses the real message of the predictions while the latter misses an opportunity for a happier life.
If you are confused, please hear me out. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who once said no man ever steps in the same river twice, taught that all things are in flux. So do Chinese zodiac predictions.
No zodiac sign has the upper hand in everything or forever. One year may see those born in the Year of the Monkey enjoying career advancements, the next year it may those of the Year of the Snake. It may be great for Rabbits one year, for Rats another. Equally, no zodiac sign connotes constant misfortune.
The belief in universal flux underpins another belief that runs deep in Chinese history: we all have a chance at success.
China’s feudal system collapsed more than 2,000 years ago with the abolishing of hereditary regional lords and masters, allowing commoners to become generals and state ministers. The only hereditary ruler left was the emperor – but even this could change. And nobodies could start new dynasties. The first such “nobody” founded the Han dynasty. His uprising upended a long tradition of rule by hereditary nobles.

Thus, from very early on, meritocracy mattered in China. The belief that fate can be changed by effort is behind the traditional emphasis on education and hard work. This is reflected in Chinese zodiac predictions, which are, after all, full of advice on what to do.
For instance, in a Post article about Chinese zodiac predictions, those born in the Year of the Snake are advised to learn new things and further their education, which fits well with the predictions of career advancement. There is the potential of a break-up due to the influence of two unlucky stars, so Snakes are encouraged to make an extra effort in communicating with partners.
All this talk about our lives being influenced by stars may lead some to conclude that this is all superstitious nonsense. But this is taking it too literally and missing the point. What Chinese zodiac predictions are really telling us is that we are all part of nature, our existence intricately connected with its movements.
Last year was the warmest on record. The weather was miserable, even deadly, in Europe, North America, China and many other places. One factor was solar fluctuation, which is particularly relevant to our understanding of Chinese zodiac predictions.




We have no control over the sun. It enables life on Earth but its strong solar flares can also cause problems, such as with satellites and our climate. The current solar cycle is expected to peak in 2025, with the sun’s energy output increasing until then. It is said that, in half a billion years, the sun may boil away the Earth’s oceans. It is both our blessing and curse.
Like the sun, the mighty tai sui, the most important star in Chinese zodiac predictions, is outside our control. Bowing to tai sui and other stars suggests a deep respect for the universe. We are not above nature and we cannot conquer all.
Also, in talking about people in terms of animals, the Chinese zodiac is a broad recognition of lives on Earth. There are those we adore, such as dogs. There are those we fear, such as snakes. There are those we eat, such as pigs. There are those we hate, such as rats. The zodiac even incorporates the element of the unknown in our knowledge, represented by the dragon: a pure product of our imagination.
When we can understand that we’re all part of a nature in constant motion, that we are neither above nor below anyone else, that there is a balance between our efforts and factors beyond our control, we’ll be that much more able to deal with all our ups and downs.
Is there a better way to achieve a happier life?
April Zhang is the founder of MSL Master and the author of the Mandarin Express textbook series and the Chinese Reading and Writing textbook series


Chinese Restaurant Awards 2026: Hong Kong’s Mott 32 takes top spot in Canada

Mooncakes for the dog? How China is reinventing its iconic festive snack

How Wang Zhenyi, Chinese female astronomer and mathematician, defied gender expectations

How Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan is a symbol of China’s fashion soft power

Chinese culture

Superstition or fact? What Chinese zodiac predictions really tell us

The animals of the Chinese zodiac. Photo: Shutterstock

Emperor Gaozu of the Han dynasty reigned from 206-195 BC and was born into a peasant family. Photo: Wikipedia

Chinese horoscopes for February 2024, Fire Tiger month: your health, money, work and luck predictions as we embrace the zodiac animal’s fierce energy for Lunar New Year

The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 different animals. Photos: SCMP Graphics

Those born with Tiger energy are likely to be proactive, independent and fierce. Photo: Shutterstock

Rat years (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

Ox years (1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

Tiger years (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

Rabbit years (born 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

Dragon years (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)

Snake years (1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)

Horse years (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)

Sheep years (1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

Monkey years (1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

Rooster years (1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

Dog years (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

Pig years (1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

What does the Year of the Dragon 2024 hold for Taylor Swift? Chinese zodiac predictions for the Year of the Snake pop queen, from more Eras Tour success to possible wedding bells with Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift, who is currently in the midst of her Eras Tour, was born in the Year of the Earth Snake. Photo: Getty Images

Taylor Swift in a bright green dress at the Golden Globe Awards in 2024. Photo: Reuters

Taylor Swift in a necklace and bracelet from the Bulgari Serpenti collection – fitting, considering that she’s born under the Year of the Snake. Photo: @bulgari/Instagram 

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, whose romance has dominated the tabloid pages of 2023. Photo: Gotham/GC Images

Opinion

News

People & Culture

Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life


Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life.


Lunar New Year

Chinese history

Hong Kong culture

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Superstition or fact? What Chinese zodiac predictions really tell us

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life

Don’t take zodiac predictions literally or dismiss them out of hand. If we can understand the deeper message, we have the chance of a happier life