Astrological sign operate on cycles of years, lunar months, and two-hour periods of the day (also known as "shichen"). A particular feature of the Chinese zodiac is its operation in a 60-year cycle in combination with the Five Phases of Chinese astrology (Wood, Fire, Metal, Water and Earth). Nevertheless, some researches say that there is an obvious relationship between the Chinese 12-year cycle and zodiac constellations: each year of the cycle corresponds to a certain disposal of Jupiter. For example, in the year of Snake Jupiter is in the Sign of Gemini, in the year of Horse Jupiter is in the Sign
Dragon (zodiac) Dragon (zodiac) The Dragon () is the fifth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. It is also the only zodiac sign represented by a mythical creature, rather than a real life animal. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 辰, pronounced "chen". It has been proposed by one academic researcher that the Earthly Branch character may have been associated with scorpions; it may have symbolized the Star Antares. In the Buddhist calendar used in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, the Dragon is