The unique characters that define the 12 zodiac signs in Chinese astrology.

In Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics, the "independent" characters you see (like Zi 子 for Rat or Wu 午 for Horse) are called the Earthly Branches (地支).

The reason these special characters are used instead of the standard words for the animals (like Shu 鼠 or Ma 馬) is rooted in history, science, and the specific "job" these characters perform in a Feng Shui analysis.

1. They formulate the science and logic, not just symbolic.

In Feng Shui, the 12 signs aren't just "animals"—they are mathematical variables.

• The zodiac signs were added later as a mnemonic (memory aid) for the general public who couldn't read or write the complex calendar system.²

  
  

• The branches are technical terms used to calculate the movement of stars, the changing of seasons, and compass degrees. Using the character Zi (子) is like using a variables in algebra; it carries a specific weight, element (Water), and polarity (Yang) that the word "Rat" does not communicate to a practitioner.

  
  

2. Space and direction according to the Chinese compass - the Luo-Pan.

When you look at a Feng Shui compass (Luo Pan), you will see these 12 characters.³ They represent precise directional sectors of 30° each.

Zi (子) is exactly North (0°).

Wu (午) is exactly South (180°).

If a Feng Shui master simply said "The Rat Direction," it might sound like a folk tale. By using Zi, they are referencing a specific degree on the compass that interacts with the "Heavenly Stems" to form the 24 Mountains (the grid used to align buildings).

3. Time keeping - the odd hours straddling the divisions of the day.

The Earthly Branches were originally a system for measuring the 12 "double-hours" of a day and the 12 months of a year.

• Zi (子) represents 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM (the peak of Night/Yin).

  
  

• Wu (午) represents 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (the peak of Day/Yang).

  Because Feng Shui is about balancing Qi over time, these characters allow a practitioner to calculate when a house’s energy is strongest or weakest throughout the day and year.

  
  

4. Secrets within the hidden stems.

This is the most "insider" reason: Each independent character actually "hides" other elements inside it.

For example, the character Chen (辰) is the Dragon.9 In Feng Shui logic, Chen isn't just "Earth"—it is a "tomb" or "storage" for Water and also contains a bit of Wood. Using the specific Branch character allows practitioners to see these hidden layers of energy that the simple animal name doesn't show.

Summary table.

Zodiac	Earthly Branch	Feng Shui Direction	Primary Element
Rat	Zi (子)	North	Water
Horse	Wu (午)	South	Fire
Rabbit	Mao (卯)	East	Wood
Rooster	You (酉)	West	Metal

Forecast for Pig zodiac in 2026.

Do not be frustrated by recurring issues in life, especially if this involves daily routines or household responsibilities. Monthly Virtue Star comes to your rescue and clears up the mess before you realize it.

This is also the year for financial prudence and accumulation for you. It is a year of travels and when you are in areas of the wild or dry and hot locations, be wary of potential fire related incidents and smoke dangers.

To prepare to make Jade Hall work for you, make your financial plans and invest early. This applies especially to the

55-year-old (born 1971) and the 43-year-old (born 1983). Do not take this as a windfall as it has nothing to do with luck but your well laid plans by end 2026.

You will continue to do well in the Year of the Goat 2027 and be better prepared when the need for financial commitments or an attractive investment opportunity arises by then. You will also have the Monthly Virtue Star to fall back on in the Year of the Horse. This is a mitigating and problem-solving star. It cannot serve you immediate results and returns but will empower you to get through recurring problems and put you out of harm’s way until a permanent solution comes around. This is good energy to have for those in daily operations, round-the-clock responsibilities and volatile work that demands quick reflexes. It is extremely useful for people working in a politically driven environment as well as where there are uncooperative team members. This applies to all working and business owners born in Pig years.

Sky Noble Star is yet another saving grace for you to activate. This is an emergency stop-gap star where you are saved from the tracks just before the train arrives. Do not take this for granted as you may not get this working on time, all the time.

Pigs, especially the 31-year-old (born 1995) as well as those born 2007 (aged 19) are prone to the effects of the Small Consumer. This is a dangerous but innocent-looking habit that can put you into serious debts very fast. You are prone to careless spendings but for most parts, hooked onto gaming and gambling habits that are hard to reverse.

Robbery Killing Star appears innocuous but will consume you very fast if you allow it. This is especially so for online thefts and scams that you will fall for. Avoid the herd instinct when it comes to investing in unknown products. You are also prone to be invited to participate in what seems like a small shareholder in a venture. When Robbery Star strikes, it quickly snowballs into serious consequences and implications that can be legally binding.

Death Charm indicates an end to things and changes to the status quo. It could be a job, a business partnership, a person close to you or a relationship, not necessarily leading to death in the mortal sense. Mostly emotional, this is sometimes viewed as ‘not a bad thing’ if it was something that we wish would end, like a toxic relationship or a departure of the monster boss. It is an above average year that you must leverage upon in preparation for a better 2027.

Forecast for Dog zodiac in 2026.

There's a lot of happenings in the Year of the Fire Horse for people born in Dog years. Generally, there are chances for you to be picked out as a winner if you show up at the right time and place to those who matters.

Simple put, be opportunistic if you want progress and wish to be lined up for special jobs, assignments or postings. Job offers, media exposures

and business opportunities ? Grab it !

Word of caution, do not get too

aggressive or overconfident when

dealing with direct competitors.

Three Stages Star works for those in pursuit of not just career advancements and promotions but an improved experience of work life balance. If you have been feeling unproductive, repetitive and not creative enough, then 2026 is likely to introduce some life into your outputs at work. For entrepreneurs and professional salespersons, this is a much-needed energy if you are looking at expanding your service contents and client base. It works best for the 56-year-old (born 1970) and gives them a new lease of life at their respective work and other commitments.

Elegant Seal Star is the star of talent and showmanship. Working especially well with people who showcase their skills to an audience, they include artists, entertainers, singers, actors and street performers. It extends to those with an online presence such as Youtubers, influencers, live streamers and content creators. Another segment of people who benefit from this are the community and social workers. It pushes the boundaries of imagination and expresses the essence and true values of these contributors who will be amply rewarded. Those Dog folks aged 20 (born 2006), aged 32 (born 1994) and 44-year-old (born 1970) are best fit to enjoy it.

Earth Relief is a positive charm attached to issues relating to places and locations of operations, this star saves you from damage and delays to home renovations, shifting and injuries during such events. It is also good to have this when encountering natural mishaps like road accidents and bad weather.

Year Charm works in a consistent interference to your routines. It throws up petty personal challenges from situations and people around you, causing discomfort and irritation. This often leads to the Litigation Star effect which are at times politically motivated and manipulated by competitors or vile characters around you.

Flying Charm produces sudden and unexpected events which require your proof of innocence and validation. It deals mainly with official matters and may restrain you in your freedom or easy access of systems. In serious cases, it is a restraining order, a restriction or a retention against your wishes.

Five Ghosts gives you difficult people who make life difficult for you. Five Ghosts always lead you to feel that luck is against you all the time. Yellow Flag is a signal of distress and alerts you to impending problems lying ahead. Try and trust this instinct and not give way to Pealing Head Star, which often throws you into a state of frustration and uncontrollable reactions. There is always Sky Bright Star which encourages you to stay positive and do things right.