Chinese Astrology as practiced today was basically established by the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). An important development was the growing popularity and use of it by the common people. It was no longer the special province of the court.

Astrologers continued to talk of the 12 year cycle in terms of the 12 earthly branches, but the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals had become increasingly popularized among the uneducated masses in China. Yet, even today many professional Chinese Astrologers will not use the animal terms.

In the West, however, most of what claims to be Chinese Astrology uses the animal terms to perform some kind of personality analysis. In fact this is a very new development. Chinese and other Asians to this day appeal to Astrology to reveal their fate, not their personality. There is one exception.

Since at least the Ming Dynasty Chinese grandmothers have been using astrology to help fulfill their matchmaking duties. Readings addressed relationship compatibility as well as the luck and fate of a potential spouse. Certain animal Zodiac signs such as Dragon for a potential male spouse and Horse for a female are highly sought after or, in the case of the latter, avoided.

Overall interest in personality analysis is increasing, but it is not likely to become more important than fate analysis among Asians. A more likely scenario is for fate analysis to become more popular with non Asians as they discover the predictive capabilities of Chinese Astrology.

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