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Belief in Chinese Zodiac Year: Psychologically Healthy?

Folk beliefs of Filipinos are one of the overwhelming issues that cannot be separated, and

has become a part of our culture. Accordingly, our culture is influenced by different countries

with customs that are now embedded to ours. As for customs and ceremonies are concerned, the

Chinese beliefs are very much accommodated by the Filipinos, thus, the emergence of Filipino-

Chinese Folk Beliefs.

The use of charm crystals, Feng Shui, family customs, marriage and wedding, are a few

 beliefs that Filipinos freely adapted. But, are we missing one important element?

If you have a Chinese blood, a fanatic of Chinese beliefs, or somebody who frequently

encounters their customs, you would answer this.

So what are we missing?

The Chinese Zodiacs. . .

Chinese zodiacs consist of 12 particular signs with a particular interpretation. The signs

are 12 animals, which represent the rotating 12-year cycle that is used to predict people’s fortune

(like the stars in the sky that tells you what lies ahead of you). Every year, the sign changes (it’s

like saying ‘Happy New Year!’ when there’s a change in the zodiac), and it is very likely that

you’ve heard, “goodbye ‘Year of the Rabbit’, welcome ‘Year of the Dragon’ ”.

The use of astrological animal signs is an important basis of the Chinese to identify their 

‘Lucky Stars’ and the ‘Unlucky Stars’. For those who have money (unlucky ones!), they can

simply buy charm crystals and Chinese embellishments that fights away the bad luck. But for 

those who can’t (twice the bad luck, huh?) , just ignore it.

However, many of us still believe in these astrological signs that reads our fortune.

Unfortunately, not all these readings give us positive views of our life (so others are negative,

right?). In this aspect, those who deeply and whole-heartedly believing in these signs, may

experience disappointment when an unlucky star comes in.

Is believing in the Chinese Zodiac Year psychologically healthy?

Well, it depends. It depends on the person’s degree of belief and the person’s disposition.

According to Robert Carroll (2012), astrological signs and readings should not be considered as

unbelievable, but is viewed as a New Age therapy in self-understanding (this is where the

 psychological form comes in) and personality analysis. Too much belief, moreover, creates an

unreasonable behavior, such as buying lots of charms to fight away bad luck; relying on daily

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horoscopes in dealing with everyday circumstances; interfering plans due to unlucky signs; and

too much thinking on your fortune that leads to frustration.

There is no danger in believing in signs, horoscopes, astronomical star readings, and

other strange beliefs. Yet, too much dependence with these domains can create a negative effect

on the manner of thinking and dealing with new experiences. These signs are made for us to be

guided on our self-reflection, and not to impose a whole interpretation of oneself. They are not

created to tell us what to do, they are made to let us realize the importance of thinking before

taking any actions. They are not conceived to create confusion, they are made to form a balance

 between our mind and body (mind over matter!).

Positive or negative, lucky or unlucky, fortunate or not, let no of these Chinese zodiacs

affect us, our way of thinking, our way of living, and our way of believing.

Happy New ‘Year of the Dragon!!’…

 

Short Interview on the Chinese Zodiac Beliefs

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➢ Do you believe in the Chinese Zodiacs? Why or why not?

  Name of Respondents Responses

“Jess” 35 years old No. But I have a general knowledge o f the Zodiacs because of the news.

“Micah” 20 years old No. I don’t even know what year of the ‘animal’ I was

 born in.

“Tin” 21 years old No. I’m not interested in Zodiacs. What I know is that

the stars or anything else cannot determine the best

future path for your life- only God can do that. Why go

to the creation for guidance when you can directly ask 

the creator himself?

“Joy” 35 years old No. This kind of belief is dependent upon what kind of  

upbringing you had. I’m from a Chinese family but we

do not practice such beliefs.

“Evelyn” 37 years old No. I am from a Chinese family but we don’t believe in

the zodiacs.

“Grace” 32 years old No. Maybe because I am not Chinese that’s why I don’t

 believe in the zodiacs.

12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

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 Picture taken from http://www.onlinechineseastrology.com/content-detail.aspx?ID=69

 Picture taken from http://www.chinesenewyear.me/chinese-zodiac-calendar.html

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References

Carroll, R. T. (2012). Astrology: As Above, So Below from http://skepdic.com/astrology.html

Chinese Zodiac (n.d.). CHINESE ZODIAC: Your Guide to Chinese Astrology. Retrieved  from

http://www.chinesezodiac.com/

Harper, B. (2002). Costumbres Chinas. Filipino-Chinese Folk Beliefs. Philippine Daily Inquirer 

Internet Edition from http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Folk_Beliefs/ filipinochinese 

 _folk_beliefs.htm

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The Chinese Zodiacs

Almeyda, Anzelle B.

Arboleda, Jeanne Leigh L.

Austria, Ralp Anthony B.

Ballega, Homer Reginaldo R.

Benitez, Huey A.

Borja, Lucille Mae P.

Pingol, Ralph Andrew J.

Members

Dr. Romulo S. Arsenio

 Abnormal Psychology Adviser 

BS PSYCHOLOGY Year 3 Block 1