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Chinese Zodiac Hours

Chinese Zodiac Hours

Written by Fercility JiangUpdated Nov. 28, 2023

In ancient times, in order to tell the time, people divided one day into twelve 2-hour periods, and designated one animal to represent each period according to each animal's special time.

  • Rat: 23:00-01:00 (when rats actively look for food).
  • Ox: 01:00-03:00 (when oxen begin to ruminate and start tilling the land)
  • Tiger: 03:00-05:00 (when tigers begin hunting prey)
  • Rabbit: 05:00-07:00 (when, according to Chinese folk tales, the jade rabbit on the moon starts pounding herbs with a pestle)
  • Dragon: 07:00-09:00 (when, in Chinese folk tales, dragons start marching westwards)
  • Snake: 09:00-11:00 (when snakes leave their holes)
  • Horse: 11:00-13:00 (when sunshine is the strongest during the day, and the horses remain rigorous while many other animals lie down to have a break)
  • Goat: 13:00-15:00 (it is believed that if goats will grow fatter if they eat grass during this time)
  • Monkey: 15:00-17:00 (when monkeys become very lively)
  • Rooster: 17:00-19:00 (when roosters return to their coops)
  • Dog: 19:00-21:00 (when dogs carry their duty to guard the houses)
  • Pig: 21:00-23:00 (when pigs are sleeping tight and sound)

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