Time in Ancient China Part Two

THE HOUR OF THE HORSE

This animal is used to represent the two hour interval between 11 am and 1 pm. This is the time of the day when the heat from the sun would be at its peak. The ancient observed that during this time only horses would be seen standing while other animals would lie down. The horse is seen as an impressively strong animal. 

THE HOUR OF THE GOAT

The hour of the Goat was between 1 to 3 pm. The goat aptly describes this time of the day since it was considered by many to be the ideal time to herd goats since the sun dried the dew on the grass and undergrowth, 

THE HOUR OF THE MONKEY

The monkey is a central animal in Chinese mythology. The most famous one would be Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. It was born from a mystical stone and gained great powers. Sun Wukong is immortalized in Chinese culture by the literary masterpiece, The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. The Monkey King lived on the Mountain of Fruits and Flowers and played with the other monkeys all day long. He was very playful. The characteristic playfulness of monkeys is the reason the represent the two-hour duration between 3 to 5 pm since it was reported that monkeys can be seen and heard playing with and calling each other during this time. 

THE HOUR OF THE ROOSTER

This may come as a shock to some persons but this seemingly late hour is indeed associated with the rooster. Roosters are not identified with the hour that they crow during the wee hours of the morning welcome the dawning sun. Between 5 to 7 pm, roosters return to their coop in order to rest 

THE HOUR OF THE DOG

This was between 7 to 9 pm. This time is associated with the dog because it was the time people would put their dogs outside to keep guard before they went to sleep.

THE HOUR OF THE PIG

The hour of the pig is between 9 and 11 p.m. The observation for this hour is that when people were settling to go to sleep they would hear pigs snouting their troughs. 

Source:

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/