Pig (zodiac)

Chinese paper cutting

The Pig (豬) is the twelfth and the last sign of the Earthly Branches (亥).

In the continuous Sexagenary cycle, every twelfth year corresponds to Hai, and is commonly called "the Year of the Pig" (豬年). There are five types of Pigs, named after the Chinese elements. In order, they are: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.

In the Japanese zodiac and Tibetan zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the boar. In the Dai zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the elephant. In the Gurung zodiac, the Pig is replaced by the deer.

Pig in the Chinese Zodiac Legend

According to the myths, the Pig was the last to arrive when the Jade Emperor called for the great meeting. Other sources said that Buddha called for a great meeting when he was about to leave the earth. The Pig came in last.

Legend has it that just as the emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little Pig. The term "lazy Pig" is due here as the Pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast then fell asleep. After the nap, the Pig continued the race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle.

Other sources say that given his very stout form, he was just too slow a swimmer, and thus he could not do anything against the other animals.

Years and the Five Elements

The view of the Pig along the coastal city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.

The Pig and the Elements

The natural element of the Pig is water. Thus it is commonly associated with emotions and intuitions. Yet, given that along with the elements (also called the Celestial stem), the animal zodiac (called the earthly stem) also follows a cycle, each of the elements affect the characteristic of the same earthly stem.

However, the Pig is yin, and this only the negative aspects of the elements can be attached to them, thus only 5 kinds of Pigs are found in the zodiac. They are the following:

乙亥 (yǐhài) - The Wooden Pig

丁亥 (dīnghài) - The Fire Pig

己亥 (jǐhài) - The Earthen Pig

辛亥 (xīnhài) - The Metal Pig

癸亥 (guǐhài) - The Water Pig

The Years of the Pig

People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the "Year of the Pig", while also bearing the following elemental sign:

It should be noted that since the Chinese zodiac follows the Lunar calendar, it does not coincide with the Gregorian years or months. Thus, a person born on 9 February 1899 still belongs to the preceding zodiac (i.e. the Dog) while those born on 31 January 1900 already belongs to the following zodiac (i.e. the Rat).

Start date	End date	Heavenly Branch
4 February 1815	23 January 1816	Wood Pig
22 January 1827	9 February 1828	Fire Pig
8 February 1839	27 January 1840	Earth Pig
27 January 1851	14 February 1852	Metal Pig
13 February 1863	1 February 1864	Water Pig
31 January 1875	18 February 1876	Wood Pig
18 February 1887	6 February 1888	Fire Pig
5 February 1899	24 January 1900	Earth Pig
23 January 1911	10 February 1912	Metal Pig
10 February 1923	29 January 1924	Water Pig
4 February 1935	23 January 1936	Wood Pig
22 January 1947	9 February 1948	Fire Pig
8 February 1959	27 January 1960	Earth Pig
27 January 1971	14 February 1972	Metal Pig
13 February 1983	1 February 1984	Water Pig
31 January 1995	18 February 1996	Wood Pig
18 February 2007	6 February 2008	Fire Pig
5 February 2019	24 January 2020	Earth Pig
23 January 2031	10 February 2032	Metal Pig
10 February 2043	29 January 2044	Water Pig
4 February 2055	23 January 2056	Wood Pig
22 January 2067	9 February 2068	Fire Pig
8 February 2079	27 January 2080	Earth Pig
27 January 2091	14 February 2092	Metal Pig
13 February 2103	1 February 2104	Water Pig
31 January 2115	18 February 2116	Wood Pig
18 February 2127	6 February 2128	Fire Pig
5 February 2139	24 January 2140	Earth Pig
23 January 2151	10 February 2152	Metal Pig
10 February 2163	29 January 2164	Water Pig

The month and hour of the Pig

Month of the Pig

Aside from being assigned a year, the Pig is also assigned to govern a month in the Lunar Calendar. As the Lunar month begins on Spring, the Pig is assigned to the 10th month, usually the time when winter begins. This lunar month corresponds to the Gregorian calendar as beginning from 7 November and ending at 6 December.

The first half of the month is called 立冬 (or in pinyin: Lìdōng). Literally, it means the "start of winter". It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 225° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 240°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 225°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around 7 November and ends around 22 November.

The second half of the month is called 小雪 (or in pinyin: Xiǎoxuě). Literally, the time of the "Little Snow". It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 240° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 255°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 240°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around 22 November and ends around 7 December.

A person born in any year is said to inherit some attributes of the Pig if they are born during these months. And thus, in order to complete the astrological reading, it is important to know this month as well.

Hour of the Pig

Given that the day is composed of 24 hours, each sign is given to the different signs of the zodiac. The Pig was assigned to govern the time between 21hrs00 to 22hrs59. According to tradition, this is the time when the Pig is doing what it does best (sleeping and enjoying the sweet life).

In terms of astrology, the hours in which the person is born (technically termed as the Ascendant) is the second most important facet of his astrology. Thus, this alters greatly the characteristics of a person. Even if a person was born in a year governed by another animal (for example someone born on 8 November 2000, i.e. Year of the Dragon) will display strong characteristics of the Pig as well. Thus he may be fierce and strong like the Dragon but at the same time emotional and intuitive like the Pig.

Relationship with other zodiacs

The Pig belongs to the 4th Trine of the Chinese zodiac, along with the Rooster and the Goat. It is said that the relationship between these three archetypes work best as they strive for aestheticism, beauty, and a more philosophical, and intellectual approach in life. Their calm nature gives them great leadership abilities.

They are artistic, refined, intuitive, intelligent, and well-mannered. These souls love the preliminaries in love, and are fine artists in their lovemaking. The Rabbit, Goat and Pig have been bestowed with calmer natures than the other 9 signs. Tiger, Dog, Horse, Dragon, Monkey, Rat, Rooster and Ox likes and best friends compatibles with Pig.

These three are compassionately aware, yet detached and resigned to their condition. They seek beauty and a sensitive love. They are caring, unique, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent. They can also be naive, pedantic, insecure, cunning, indecisive, and pessimistic.

The Snake is said to be the most incompatible with the Pig as the jovial character of the Pig is very opposite from that of the reserved and contemplative Snake.

Basic astrology elements

Earthly Branch of Birth Year:	Hai
The Five Elements:	Water (Shui)
Yin Yang:	Yin
Lunar Month:	tenth
Lucky Numbers:	2, 5, 6, 8; Avoid: 3,4,9
Lucky Flowers:	lily of each and every species
Lucky Colors:	yellow; Avoid: red and blue

Cultural notes

Some Chinese Muslims will say that they were born in the year of the hai 亥 to avoid saying Pig.
In Japan, the sign of zodiac is called boar.

See also

• Chinese zodiac
• Burmese zodiac