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Understanding Lunar Animals and Compatibility: A Guide for the Maccha Community

As the celebrations of the Lunar New Year approaches, millions around the world prepare to enjoy a custom rooted in rich culture, symbols, and the lasting impact of the Chinese Zodiac. Each Lunar New Year relates to one of twelve animals, each having distinct traits that shape personalities, relationships, and fit. What is the meaning of these twelve animals, and how do they affect relationships? How much do Maccha users follow these superstitions?

The Twelve Lunar Animals

The Chinese Zodiac, known as Shengxiao (生肖), consists of twelve animals, each indicating a year in a repeating pattern of 12 years. Each animal carries its unique traits and powers, affecting those born in its year. Here’s a glimpse into the minds of these interesting creatures:

1. Rat (鼠): Quick-witted and resourceful, Rats are smart and flexible. They are often seen as charming leaders who can handle obstacles with ease. Celebrating the Rat is a time to welcome imagination and desire.
2. Ox (牛): Known for their diligence and strength, Oxen are reliable and hardworking. They respect trust and custom, making them faithful friends and partners. The Ox symbolizes perseverance and grit, telling us to stay grounded.
3. Tiger (虎): Fierce and brave, Tigers represent fire and confidence. They are natural-born leaders, inspiring others with their lively energy and adventurous spirit. The Tiger urges us to accept our wild side and face problems head-on.
4. Rabbit (兔): Rabbits are often regarded as gentle and sensitive creatures, renowned for their friendliness and sensitivity. They promote unity in their connections, whether it is friendship or any other bond. The rabbit in the lunar animal is known for its excellent listeners. It teaches us the value of peace and understanding in our lives and bonding.
5. Dragon (龙): Majestic and strong, Dragons are bold and charming. They are seen as symbols of luck and success, often sparking awe and respect. The Dragon encourages us to pursue our ambitions with passion and vigor.
6. Snake (蛇): Mysterious and wise, Snakes are known for their instincts and logical thinking. They are deep minds who handle life with care and plan. The symbolism of the Snake teaches us about the significance of thought and self-awareness.
7. Horse (马): Energetic and free-spirited, Horses are bold and energetic. They live on freedom and enjoy exploring the world. The Horse symbolizes the joy of life and the desire for new adventures.
8. Goat (羊): Creative and gentle, Goats are caring and loving. They value beauty and balance, often adding a feeling of calm to their interactions. The Goat pushes us to develop kindness and imagination in our bonding with friends and loved ones.
9. Monkey (猴): Curious and playful, Monkeys are social butterflies who live on contact. They are clever and creative, often finding new answers to problems. The Monkey reminds us to accept our interests and discover new ideas.
10. Rooster (鸡): Observant and busy, Roosters are practical and dedicated. They have a great sense of duty and often take on leading jobs. The Rooster represents honesty and character, pushing us to stand strong in our ideals.
11. Dog (狗): Loyal and honest, Dogs are protective and trustworthy. They are caring friends who value the well-being of their loved ones. The concept of loyalty and unconditional love is beautifully portrayed by the Dog in our interactions.
12. Pig (猪): Generous and sociable, Pigs are warm-hearted and kind. They bring joy to those around them and are often seen as symbols of wealth and success. The Pig pushes us to accept kindness and thanks in our lives.

Compatibility Among Lunar Animals

In Chinese society, the connection between lunar animals is highly important in relationships, bonds, and even business ties. Recognizing these links can offer useful insights into how people form better bonds and build lasting connections. Understanding the natural balance or friction between different animals helps promote stronger connections based on mutual respect, shared beliefs, and similar traits.

Here’s a guide to how different lunar animals connect and improve their connections through friendship and compatibility:

• Rat & Ox (鼠与牛): A great match of intelligence and loyalty! The clever Rat supports the reliable Ox, building a strong friendship based on respect, trust, and shared goals. Together, they form a permanent and helpful bond.
• Tiger & Horse (虎与马): A lively pair driven by energy and desire! Their shared love for excitement and adventure makes their relationship lively and emotionally satisfying, bringing zest and energy to their connection.
• Rabbit & Goat (兔与羊): Gentle and peaceful, the Rabbit and Goat create a caring setting where creativity and care bloom. Their relationship is marked by understanding, kindness, and a calm sense of unity.
• Dragon & Monkey (龙与猴): The Dragon and Monkey, who are both bold and brilliant, encourage one another to new heights. Their friendship lives on innovation and shared desire, pushing one another to discover new areas and succeed together.
• Snake & Rooster (蛇与鸡): A smart and sensible pairing, the Snake and Rooster form a healthy relationship built on mutual respect and shared goals. They provide support and security in a strong, loyal relationship.
• Dog & Pig (狗与猪): Warm-hearted and loyal, the Dog and Pig appreciate trust and kindness in their bond. Their deep relationship is based on love, mutual care, and unfailing support for one another.

Animals to Approach with Caution

While some animals are highly suitable, others may take more work to build strong relationships:

• Rat & Horse (鼠与马): The careful Rat may find it difficult to keep up with the daring Horse, leading to confusion and anger.
• Tiger & Snake (虎与蛇): The tiger's boldness can overwhelm the more quiet Snake, causing stress in their interactions.
• Rabbit & Rooster (兔与鸡): The mild Rabbit may clash with the Rooster's aggressiveness, resulting in potential conflicts in aims and tactics.

Building Connections in the Maccha Community

These compatibility results typically are just a fun read, and the overseas Asian community tends to take them less literally than those living in East & Southeast Asia. However, what’s interesting is that during important events, such as weddings, the Lunar calendar is taken into consideration. It is very common for members of the community to pick an ‘auspicious date’ based on the bride and groom’s date and time of birth. There is also a ‘Chinese gender predictor’ for babies, where based on the mother’s date of birth, time of conception and expected due date, by magic, the Lunar calendar generates a result for the gender of the baby. Even as the community has become more Westernized, these age-old Lunar Calendar beliefs present themselves in important moments. Do you believe in the powers of the Lunar Calendar? Discuss in our community forum, or put the animal compatibility results to the test in our user profile matching feature.