Pig (zodiac)

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

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.

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.

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:

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).

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