The Chinese Zodiac: Legends, Origins and Transmission to East and Southeast Asia – With Reference to Thailand

The term “Nakkhatra” (Pali: nakkhatta / Sanskrit: nakṣatra), literally meaning “Constellation,” originally referred to the grouping of stars in ancient Indian cosmology. Over time, this concept was transformed into the Chinese twelve-animal zodiac system, which marked cycles of twelve years through symbolic animals. Its roots can be traced to the Twelve Earthly Branches (Dizhi), evidenced on Shang dynasty oracle bones (1600–1046 BCE), and later associated with animals during the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE), as recorded in texts such as the Huainanzi and depicted in tomb murals. Legends, most notably the “Jade Emperor’s race of animals,” explain the order of the twelve creatures, each representing symbolic qualities relevant to Chinese agrarian life and cosmology. The system spread from China to Vietnam, Korea, Japan and further into Southeast Asia, including Thailand, where it became intertwined with the lunar calendar and Buddhist traditions. In Thailand, the zodiac has been used alongside the Buddhist Era and the Chulasakarat calendar since the Sukhothai period and it continues to play roles in astrology, festivals and cultural practices. This article examines the historical origins, legends, symbolic meanings and cross-cultural adaptations of the twelve zodiac animals, highlighting their enduring significance in both Chinese and Thai contexts.