12 PIECE LUNAR COINS

CHINESE

IN DISPLAY CASE

EACH COIN 36 MM DIAMETER

Reputedly the oldest chronological record in history, the ancient Chinese Lunar Calendar dates back beyond 2,600 BC. Based on the appearance of the new moon, it associates a different animal with each year in the 12-year lunar cycle.

Traditionally, the first year of the lunar cycle is ‘ruled’ by the mouse. According to legend, the order of the animals in Chinese astrology was determined by their race across a river. Unknown to the ox, the mouse hitched a ride on its back, leaping to victory at the very last second. The tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig followed the quick-thinking mouse and the flabbergasted ox to dry land.

In Chinese culture, each animal is believed to influence the personality of the people born under its ‘rule’.  The following table makes it easy to determine your most likely Lunar animal.  The exact dates of the current Lunar year, which are dictated by the appearance of the new moon, are included below.