How Su Shi Made Capricorn the Ancient ‘Internet-Famous’ Zodiac Sign—When Did Chinese People Start Believing in Astrology?

When discussing the status of ancient literati in modern times, names like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Su Shi undoubtedly come to mind. Among them, Su Shi, known for his passions for travel, wellness, and gastronomy, has captured the hearts of countless young admirers. But beyond these interests, Su Shi was also surprisingly well-versed in astrology. In his collection of essays, Dongpo’s Forest of Jottings, he once wrote:

“Han Yu’s poem says: ‘At the hour of my birth, the moon lodged in the Dipper.’ From this, I learned that Han Yu’s fate palace was in Capricorn. And I, too, have Capricorn as my destiny. Throughout my life, I have faced both praise and slander—likely due to the same astrological affliction!”

In essence, Su Shi was saying that both he and the famed Tang dynasty writer Han Yu were Capricorns, and he attributed their shared experiences of public criticism and acclaim to this zodiac sign.

From Ancient Babylon to Greece: The Origins of the Zodiac

The twelve zodiac signs are not native to China but were imported from the West. While many associate them with Greek mythology, their true origin lies in ancient Babylon.

Babylonian astronomy was remarkably advanced, thanks in part to the region’s geography—modern-day Iraq’s vast, flat plains provided an ideal canvas for stargazing. The Babylonians divided the ecliptic into twelve equal sections, each known as a “house,” and recorded their celestial observations on clay tablets like When the Gods Anu and Enlil.

Contrary to popular belief, the zodiac’s foundation was not Greek mythology but the solar calendar developed by the Babylonians. Living in the fertile Tigris-Euphrates region, they cultivated not only crops but also a sophisticated understanding of the heavens. Their astronomical system, later embellished with Greek myths, eventually spread eastward to ancient India.

When Did the Zodiac Reach China?

The twelve zodiac signs arrived in China not in modern times or during the Republic era, but as early as the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD). Over centuries and across cultures, these astrological concepts melded with China’s rich philosophical and artistic traditions, evolving in both meaning and representation.

Historical texts from the Sui period reference all twelve signs, indicating that Chinese scholars were already familiar with them. Interestingly, the earliest Chinese records of zodiac astrology appear in Buddhist sutras. The notion of linking one’s birth constellation to personal destiny was introduced through translations of texts like the Scripture of Lunar Mansions and Planets by the Tang monk Amoghavajra.

Take Capricorn, for example: its name evolved from the Latin Capricornus to the Sanskrit Makara, then to the Chinese Mójié (), and finally to the modern Mójié ()—a testament to cross-cultural linguistic artistry.

Su Shi and the “Capricorn Curse”

As zodiac beliefs gained popularity, everyone from scholars to commoners began dabbling in astrological fortune-telling—a trend as fervent as today’s horoscope culture. Among ancient Chinese zodiac enthusiasts, the most popular inside joke was what came to be known as the “Capricorn Curse,” pioneered by none other than Su Shi.

His lament about sharing Han Yu’s Capricorn fate sparked a wave of poetic imitations:

• Yan Tinggao: “A life of hardship, a Capricorn’s fate; A lonely grave in Leiyang, sealed by time’s weight.”
• Yuan Mei: “Sigh not at Capricorn’s heavy plight; For life’s storms rarely ease their fight.”
• Zeng Guofan: “Our fates are bound by Capricorn’s sway; In toil and worry, we pass our days.”
• Li Hongzhang: “Justice may come, though exile’s night is long; Aged and far, in Capricorn’s palace, I remain strong.”

Capricorn imagery also appeared in art and architecture—from the twenty-eight lunar mansions painted on Liao Dynasty tomb ceilings in Zhangjiakou to the mythical Makara sea creature depicted in Gu Kaizhi’s Nymph of the Luo River and Dunhuang cave murals.

Astrology Today: A Timeless Fascination

Today, zodiac signs permeate daily conversations, symbolizing hopes and dreams for the future. The human desire to seek meaning in the stars transcends time and culture. Whether for camaraderie during challenges or comfort during uncertainty, astrology offers a lens through which we interpret our lives.

Yet, as Su Shi and his contemporaries might agree, while the stars may inspire, it is ultimately our own resilience that shapes our destiny. This truth, ancient as the constellations themselves, remains unchanged.