Chinese Zodiac Time

In ancient China, people divided a day and night into 12 time periods, each equaling to the present 2 hours. They also gave each time period a zodiac sign, named Chinese zodiac time.

 

Present Time	Chinese Zodiac Hour	Zodiac Sign
23:00 - 01:00	Zi Shi	Rat
01:00 - 03:00	Chou Shi	Ox
03:00 - 05:00	Yin Shi	Tiger
05:00 - 07:00	Mao Shi	Rabbit
07:00 - 09:00	Chen Shi	Dragon
09:00 - 11:00	Si Shi	Snake
11:00 - 13:00	Wu Shi	Horse
13:00 - 15:00	Wei Shi	Sheep
15:00 - 17:00	Shen Shi	Monkey
17:00 - 19:00	You Shi	Rooster
19:00 - 21:00	Xu Shi	Dog
21:00 - 23:00	Hai Shi	Pig

 

 

Zi Shi starts from 11 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. It not only means the last moment of a day, but also refers to the beginning of a new day. Zi Shi is with Chinese zodiac Rat sign as rats are usually active for foraging at midnight. 
 

Chou Shi is from 1 to 3 a.m. It is the dark period before dawn, and the oxes begin to chew the cud at this time. Therefore, the Chou Shi belongs to zodiac Ox. 
 

Yin Shi refers 3 to 5 a.m. upon the dawn moment. Tigers wake up and capture prey at this point, so this time period is given the Tiger sign. 
 

The 2-hour period between 5 and 7 a.m. is Mao Shi. Although the sun is rising up, the moon can still be seen in the sky. In Chinese fairy tale, Jade Rabbit inside the Moon Palace is still working with herbal medicines. In this case, Mao Shi is related with zodiac Rabbit. 
 

During Chen Shi from 7 to 9 a.m., the sunlight is getting brighter and temperature is getting higher, the mythical creature dragons are about to bring rainwater to people, and this gives Chen Shi the zodiac Dragon.
 

Snake acquires Si Shi - 9 - 11 a.m., as they usually leave their holes for absorbing power from the warm sunshine in this comfortable time. 
 

 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Wu Shi. Horses is on behalf of Wu Shi as they are still sthenic while the others are tired and taking noon break. 
 

 Sheep zodiac possesses 1 to 3 p.m. named Wei Shi. The heat is going to disappear in the early afternoon, and it is a good time for goats to pasture.
 

Shen Shi is three to five o’clock in the afternoon. Monkeys are active and begin to crow by this time. Hence, the Chinese zodiac hour Shen Shi is with Monkey sign. 
 

You Shi - 5 to 7 p.m. represents the moment of night falls. It belongs to Rooster among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs as roosters always go back to their homes from 17:00 to 19:00. 
 

From 7 to 9 p.m. of Xu Shi in the evening, it’s dark outside, and dogs start to do their job of gate guarding. 
 

Hai Shi is the ending hour from 9 to 11 p.m in a day. All is quiet and pigs are in a deep sleep, so they have Hai Shi.
 

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Ancient Chinese people also gave each of the 12 month a zodiac sign based on their relevance. 
 

Lunar Month	Zodiac Sign	Chinese Zodiac Month Meaning
January	Tiger	Tigers are haunting through mountain forests for foraging.
February	Rabbit	Rabbits are active and kicking on the verdant grass.
March	Dragon	Dragons appear in the air along with thunder to bring people spring rain.
April	Snake	In warm April, Snakes are awake from hibernation.
May	Horse	Horses run and crow happily in the grassy lawn.
June	Sheep	Sheep are happily eating grass all over the mountains and plains.
July	Monkey	Monkeys roar constantly in the thick jungle.
August	Rooster	In the middle of autumn, people cook chicken and drink wine for reveling.
September	Dog	Dogs are required for guarding in the harvest time.
October	Pig	Pigs are getting plumper and pumpers in October.
November	Rat	In snow season, Rats start to steal food at night.
December	Ox	Ox returns to cowsheds to avoid cold wind.

 

 Further Reading:
 Zodiac Story

 Zodiac Calculator

 Love Compatibility

 Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth)

 Zodiac Years Chart

 Tai Sui