When did the zodiac begin? What is it?

The year of the zodiac is counted from the first day of the first month. For example, the first day of the first month in 20 19 is the year of the sea, so the year of the zodiac is the year of the pig. For example, the first day of the first month in 2020 is the year of the boxer and the year of the rat.

The chronology of the branches and branches of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the astrology theory start with the first day of the first month and beginning of spring respectively, which is easy to be confused and will cause heated discussion every Spring Festival.

As the protagonist of the Spring Festival, the zodiac has been strengthened compared with ancient times. In addition to traditional calendars, Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures and paper-cuts, the "Year of the Pig" and "Year of the Dog" with zodiac signs have also become fashionable ways to pay New Year greetings. Spring Festival Galas at all levels have many zodiac themes, and there are dazzling exhibitions of zodiac cultural relics and artworks. The news media are scrambling to popularize the knowledge of the zodiac.

Extended data:

Zodiac culture presents new features:

First, the change of animal utilization value. The animal instinct of the zodiac has not changed, but its practical value is quite different from ancient times to modern times.

Second, get rid of superstition. Most of the legends of the zodiac are imagined out of thin air because of the underdeveloped science, and some of them are attached, even deceptive lies. Now, most of them have seen through the illusion.

Third, the decline of folk customs. With the change of ideas, the old social structure collapsed, and the traditional folk customs lost their foundation and prestige. Taboos gradually fade away and are even forgotten.