In the Chinese language, astrology is often called Ming Shu or fate calculation. Fate is seen to be set at birth, but knowable and predictable.

When Ming Shu was introduced the twelve symbols were represented by the 12 Earthly Branches which corresponded to abstract numerical concepts out of reach for this period peasants. 

Approximately 1000 years ago, 12 Earthly Branches of the cycle of the zodiac have been replaced by animals corresponding to each sign in order to facilitate the comprehension of astrology for the peasants. 

One thus should not translate into Chinese the word "rat" by the character , but well by the characters which translate the word rat into Chinese. And so on for the twelve animals corresponding to the 12 Earthly Branches or the 12 signs of the Chinese horoscope. 

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