The 12-Animal Turkish Calendar

The 12-animal Turkish calendar, used by Turks in Central Asia before Islam, is a calendar prepared by ancient Turks based on prophecy, fortune-telling, lived experiences, and other observations of society. Although there are various stories among different Turkish tribes about the origin of the 12-animal Turkish calendar, the animal years and their characteristics in the calendar generally show similarities.

How the 12-Animal Turkish Calendar Emerged

The famous Turk Kashgari Mahmud discussed how the 12-animal Turkish calendar was formed in his work Divânü Lügati't-Türk.

In his work, Kashgari Mahmud conveys the Uyghur legends about the emergence of the 12-animal Turkish calendar as follows:

An important Turkish khan wants to obtain information about a war that took place before he came to power. In this meeting with his advisors, no conclusion can be reached about which year the war took place. They have made an error regarding history. Upon this, the Turkish khan says, "Just as we were mistaken about past history, we may be mistaken about future wars as well. For this reason, let us create a calendar. Let there be a name for each year in this calendar, corresponding to 12 zodiac signs and 12 months." This proposal of the khan is adopted by the council. The beginning of the animal Turkish calendar starts from 209 BC, when Mete Han ascended to the throne.

Then a hunting drive is organized. During the hunt, 12 animals are driven toward the river. First, a rat emerges from the river to the other side, and it is decided to name the first year the Year of the Rat. Then, in order, ox, leopard, rabbit, fish, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and finally pig (black deer) emerged from the river to the other side. Years in the Turkish calendar are named in this way. The next step was to tell fortunes for these years, which was considered auspicious. It is believed that each year has a different wisdom for the Turks.

Meanings and Characteristics of the 12-Animal Turkish Calendar

1st Year: Year of the Rat (Çıçkan Cılı)

Those born in the year of the rat are, according to belief, energetic and very active people. These individuals are sleep-loving, good friends, and strive to stay away from bad deeds. Furthermore, those born at night in the rat year are more agile compared to those born during the day, while those born during the day are slovenly and timid. It is believed that while the first years of these people's lives pass comfortably, the second part will pass unsuccessfully.

2nd Year: Year of the Ox (Uy Cılı)

Men born in the year of the ox are seen as people who treat women well. People of this year are quick-tempered and physically attractive. Those born in the ox year are generally not fully understood by their surroundings and are people attached to their traditions. While men born in the ox year prefer independent work, women are attached to their homes. People of the ox year, who are believed to lead a lucky life, also spend their old age well. Additionally, it is believed that they will live for many years even if they experience illnesses.

3rd Year: Year of the Leopard (Colbors Cılı)

People born in the year of the leopard are quick to flare up, narrow-minded, and disorganized. Those born in the leopard year, who rebel against authority, are fiery people who can hardly be stopped before the law. They try everything to achieve their goals. These are people who have generally lost because of their "I know" attitudes. Those born in Colbors Cılı, as it is originally called, are people who value love. According to old beliefs, those born in the (Lion) Leopard year are charmed against fire, theft, and murder. People born in the leopard year are quite agile when young and generally live their lives regretting what they have done.

4th Year: Year of the Rabbit (Qoyon Cılı)

Those born in the year of the rabbit are talented, compassionate, and pure-hearted people. Rabbit year people, who have good and strong oratory skills, attach great importance to prosperity and peace. While those born in the rabbit year are willing to sacrifice everything for their friends, they are people with commercial intelligence. Generally, their lives go the middle way, and they stay away from fights and troubles. They are soft-hearted people who do not start any work without weighing and measuring.

5th Year: Year of the Fish (Uluu Yılı)

People born in the year of the fish are truthful, kind-hearted, highly confident, and calm. Generally, it is believed that those born this year are lucky. However, contrary to the animal they take their name from, they are angry people. It is rumored that those born in the fish year will not harm other people, and they constantly strive to be perfect in their lives. Fish year people are honest and trustworthy. The life of the fish year passes difficult in the early years, in the middle of their lives, good and bad are equal (that is, equality), and their old age passes comfortably. Those born in the fish year are generally loved by their surroundings. Despite this, those born in the fish year rarely love. People born in the fish year have much wealth and long lives.

6th Year: Year of the Snake (Cılan Cılı)

Those born in the year of the snake are hardworking people who throw themselves into their work with all four hands. Snake year women are quite beautiful. Similar to the fish year, it is believed that people born in the snake year are lucky. If those born in the snake year receive a good education, it is believed that they will be successful and forward-thinking people. Snake year people carry their work to the end, and like the characteristics of their year animal, they generally do not fail and are cold-blooded. These people are generally stingy and have a character that does not like to lend money. Snake year people, whose lives generally pass through difficulties, take pleasure in doing things considered crimes and are known in society as stubborn individuals. Additionally, it is said that those born in the snake year are merciless.

7th Year: Year of the Horse (Cılkı Cılı)

Those born in the year of the horse are free-spirited people who do not take advice. Horse year people ensure that they are respected. It is said that those born this year are quite conceited people. Additionally, cılkı cılı people, as originally named, who never get involved in work where there is no benefit for them, draw attention with their fast and good work. Horse year people, whose lives pass with movement and work, are hasty people if born during the day, while those born at night consist of individuals who are fond of their comfort and pleasure. Horse year people are people who can easily spend money for pleasure, who see themselves as valuable and love themselves. Additionally, it is said that horse year people are a bit naive and easy to deceive.

8th Year: Year of the Sheep (QOY Cılı)

Those born in the year of the sheep are people who love to be loved very much and are interested in culture and literature. They are generally indecisive individuals who complain about their fate. They are sensitive to cruelty done to others and stand against injustice. Sheep year people are generally kind-hearted and generous. It is said that most have strong religious beliefs. It is thought that sheep year people, who do not like loneliness, are honest. There are few merchants among those born in the sheep year, and they generally do not succeed in trade. Additionally, it is stated that these people's managerial qualities are also weak.

9th Year: Year of the Monkey (Maymıl Cılı)

Those born in the year of the monkey are people who lead social lives and are fond of entertainment. Those born in the monkey year, who are devoted to their duties, want to take part in difficult tasks. It is said that the first period of the lives of those born in the monkey year passes well, the second period is restless, and their old age passes comfortably.

Men born this year are forward-thinking, cunning, and quick to anger, while monkey year women are famous for their agility.

10th Year: Year of the Rooster (Took Cılı)

People born in the year of the rooster are hardworking, tight-fisted, and physically strong people. They are generally unlucky in matters of the heart. They have a nature that sets traps for the opposite sex.

The lives of those born in the rooster year are up and down, and they are seen as somewhat lazy people. It is said that those born in the rooster year are merciless, have a reactionary nature, and have difficulty accepting new things. Rooster year people, who pay attention to their appearance and take care to dress well, act in accordance with laws and rules. The men are proud and not very generous.

Rooster year people are talented and intelligent, and being brave and chivalrous is a character unique to those born this year. They are quite daring people.

11th Year: Year of the Dog (İt Cılı)

People born in the year of the dog have high intuition. Their love is genuine and pure. They are anxious and obsessive people. Those born in the dog year are rational people with beautiful feelings. They are people who know how to be content with what they have and do not allow theft, bad deeds, and fighting.

They are strong people. They are confident in themselves and devoted to their friends. Dog year people stand firm against injustice and do not rest until injustice is corrected. They do everything for the sake of honesty.

Those born in the dog year have high leadership qualities. Those born in the dog year, who are honest and do not attach much importance to money, have stubborn personalities.

12th Year: Year of the Pig (Black Deer) (QARA Kiyik Cılı)

Those born in the year of the pig love comfortable life. The women are well-mannered people. They attach importance to family. People born in the pig year do not have much need for money. Those born this year always have money and good work.

They are curious and not very talkative people. For this reason, those born in the pig year read a lot. They are generally aware of everything. However, pig year people do not have many friend circles. If they do, they make quite loyal friendships and are brave people.

The first and middle periods of the lives of those born in the pig year pass through difficulty. Their old age passes comfortably.

Marriage Selection According to the 12-Animal Turkish Calendar

Those born in the rat year are compatible with marrying those born in the fish, monkey, and ox years, while marriages of those born in the snake, pig, and dog years with those born in the rat year do not end well.

It is appropriate for those born in the ox year to marry those born in the rooster and rat years, while marriages with those born in the sheep and dog years are not considered appropriate.

It is considered appropriate for those born in the lion year to marry those born in the fish and horse years, while it is said that they will experience difficult days in marriages with those born in the snake, ox, and monkey years.

According to the 12-animal Turkish calendar, it is rumored that marriages between those born in the rabbit year and those born in the pig, sheep, or dog years will go well, while marriages with those born in the fish year will be difficult.

Men born in the fish year are considered lucky. It is rumored that marriages of those born this year with those born in the snake, monkey, rat, and rooster years will go well, while marriages with the fish or ox year will not be good.

It is believed that marriages of those born in the snake year with those born in the ox or rooster year will bring happiness. It is believed that marrying those born in the monkey year will bring unhappiness.

It is rumored that marriages of those born in the horse year with those born in the dog, lion, and sheep years will bring happiness, and that marriages with those born in the rat year should be avoided.

It is believed that if those born in the sheep year marry those born in the pig, horse, and rabbit years, they will be happy, while marriages with those born in the dog, rat, and ox years will not bring happiness.

It is recommended that those born in the monkey year marry those born in the rat and fish years. It is rumored that living with those born in the pig and snake years will not be appropriate.

It is believed that those born in the rooster year will have a happy marriage with those born in the ox, fish, and snake years, while marriages with those born in the rat, dog, and rooster years will bring unhappiness.

According to the 12-animal Turkish calendar, it is believed that marriages of those born in the dog year with those born in the lion, rabbit, and horse years will be good, while marriages with those born in the ox and rooster years will not bring happiness.

According to the 12-animal Turkish calendar, it is believed that marriages of those born in the pig year with those born in the rabbit and sheep years will be appropriate, while if they marry those born in the monkey year, they will experience unhappiness.

The above is completely compiled from various sources. These are prophecies made based on fortune-telling as a result of observations and habits experienced by Turks over the years with historical sources. Therefore, there is no certainty about how much it reflects reality. The 12-animal Turkish calendar, which is somewhat similar to horoscope readings, is therefore paid attention to by many people.

If You Ask Which Animal Am I According to the 12-Animal Turkish Calendar

Those born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020 are in the rat year.

Those born in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021 (will be born) are from the ox year.

Those born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 (will be born) are in the lion year.

Those born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023 (will be born) are in the rabbit year.

Those born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 (will be born) are in the fish year.

Those born in 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1978, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025 (will be born) are in the snake year.

Those born in 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026 (will be born) are from the horse year.

Those born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, and 2027 (will be born) are in the sheep year.

Those born in 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, and 2028 (will be born) are in the monkey year.

Those born in 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029 (will be born) are in the rooster year.

Those born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1980, 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030 (will be born) are in the dog year.

Those born in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031 (will be born) are in the pig year.

Calculation of the 12-Animal Turkish Calendar

In the 12-animal Turkish calendar, the new year begins with the first crescent formed when the sun enters the sign of Aquarius.

In the 12-animal Turkish calendar, a year can last 354, 355 days, and sometimes 384 days.

In the 12-animal Turkish calendar, the month duration is a process that follows the crescent phase of the moon. After the first crescent is seen, that month ends with the next first crescent seen within the month. For this reason, in the 12-animal Turkish calendar, some months pass in 29 days and some months in 30 days.

The 12-animal Turkish calendar month names go as first month, second month, third month, and end by saying the twelfth month.

Since the 12-animal Turkish calendar is calculated according to the movements of the moon and sun, it may differ in different regions.

As can be seen, in the 12-animal Turkish calendar, animal years change at 12-year intervals.

In the 12-animal Turkish calendar, the seasons are named winter as "Ay," autumn as "Uluğ Ay," spring as "Oğlak Ay," and summer as "Uluğ Oğlak Ay."

The 12-animal Turkish calendar emerged as a result of cultural and social developments experienced in society among ancient Turks, the related activities connected to this, and the observations experienced by the people in this process and the evaluations that took place during this process. The 12-animal Turkish calendar shows us the people's attempt to dominate, their wisdom, and their effort to determine the time they are in.

The 12-animal Turkish calendar is a tradition that has continued for centuries. It is used in many Central Asian societies and China. The answer to the question of which animal year 2021 is, is the ox year.

The 12-animal Turkish calendar, which was unfortunately forgotten over time, was learned again as a result of studies conducted by Professor Doctor Osman Turan in 1940.

Professor Doctor Osman Turan

It was Professor Doctor Osman Turan who researched the 12-animal Turkish calendar and revealed that it was the Turks' calendar.

His thesis on the 12-animal Turkish calendar was used as a source by many famous European historians and also became the first doctoral thesis in the history of the Republic.

Osman Turan's work titled "The 12-Animal Turkish Calendar" caused a great impact not only in Turkey but also abroad. It served as a source for the work of many orientalists and achieved a first by entering the list of "List of Subject Headings" as "Turkish Calendar" in the "Library of Congress," considered America's and the world's largest library.