Texts>Ancient Pagan Symbols

"This zodiac corresponds to the 'Twelve Earthly Branches' which together with the 'Ten Heavenly Stems' form a series of sixty combinations used for naming the years, months, days and hours. Each year, month, day and hour, therefore, is associated with one of these twelve animals and every Chinese knows well under which animal he is born. It is essential that he should do so, for no important step throughout his life is undertaken unless under the auspices of his particular animal. Indeed, this mysterious influence extends even beyond his life and is taken into consideration in the disposal of his corpse."¹

These twelve animals were also affiliated with the five elements, and as symbolic motifs were constantly made use of by the Chinese artist. The Crow is a Chinese symbol of the sun, and according to tradition a three-legged crow lived in the sun. It is a favourite subject also in Japan, and is often painted with the sun as background. Among the twelve symbols of power given by Giles.² (actual symbolism unknown) are the sun with a three-legged raven in it, and the moon with a hare in it pounding the drug of immortality. Among the Chinese the moon represented the concrete essence of the feminine principle in nature and thus directed everything that belonged to the yin principle such as darkness, earth, water, etc.

"The Vital essence of the Moon governs Water; and hence when the Moon is at its brightest the tides are high." Chinese and Indian legends agree in making the hare, frog and toad inhabitants of the moon.

¹Symbolism in Chinese Art, W. Percival Yegg, p.

² History of Chinese Pictorial Art, Herbert A. Giles.

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