Introduction to Chinese Astrology in English As an ancient Chinese philosophical system, astrology has been practiced for thousands of years. It centers around the belief that the positions and movements of celestial bodies can influence people's lives, health, and fortunes on Earth. In China, astrology is known as "命理" (mìng lǐ), which literally means "the science of fate." Under the umbrella of Chinese astrology, there are various sub-fields. The most popular one is probably "八字" (bā zì), also called the Four Pillars of Destiny. It involves analyzing a person's birth year, month, day, and hour to derive a set of eight characters that represent their fate. These characters are often used to predict one's life path, career, relationships, health, and other aspects. Another branch of Chinese astrology is "紫微斗数" (zǐ wēi dǒu shù), which means the Purple Star Astrology. This system is based on the positions of 108 stars in the sky, and can reveal one's personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and luck cycles. Besides these two main types, there are also other divination methods in Chinese astrology, such as face reading (面相 mian xiang), palm reading (手相 shǒu xiàng), and fortune telling (占卜 zhàn bǔ). Some people may question the validity and accuracy of Chinese astrology, but for many Chinese, it is a deeply ingrained part of their culture and lifestyle. They consult astrologers for important decisions, such as marriage, business, relocation, and even naming their children. Chinese New Year is also a time when many people seek astrological forecasts for the coming year. In conclusion, Chinese astrology is a complex and fascinating system that reflects the Chinese people's view of the universe and human destiny. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a rich and colorful aspect of Chinese culture that continues to captivate people around the world.