十二時辰⏰12 shichen (24 hours)
✏️Traditional timekeeping system in China is called "干支Ganzhi," developed by the observers of Jupiter thousands of years ago and also underlying the Chinese zodiac.
The system divides a day into 12 even parts each one of which is called a "時辰shichen" and represented by a Chinese character, and designated one animal to represent each period according to each animal's special time. If you will ever run into an old Chinese sundial, instead of ancient Roman numbers, you will find the 12 characters carved on its surface around the rim.（pic 2）
Zi Shi子時 🐭：Rats are foraging. Zi Shi starts from 11 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. It not only means the last moment of a day, but also refers to the beginning of a new day. Zi Shi is with Chinese zodiac Rat sign as rats are usually active for foraging at midnight.
Chou Shi丑時🐮：Oxes are chewing the cud. Chou Shi is from 1 to 3 a.m. It is the dark period before dawn, and the oxes begin to chew the cud at this time. Therefore, the Chou Shi belongs to zodiac Ox.
Yin Shi 寅時🐯：Tigers are active to capture prey. Yin Shi refers 3 to 5 a.m. upon the dawn moment. Tigers wake up and capture prey at this point, so this time period is given the Tiger sign.
Mao Shi卯時🐰：Jade Rabbit is working with herbal medicines. The 2-hour period between 5 and 7 a.m. is Mao Shi. Although the sun is rising up, the moon can still be seen in the sky. In Chinese fairy tale, Jade Rabbit inside the Moon Palace is still working with herbal medicines. In this case, Mao Shi is related with zodiac Rabbit.
Chen Shi辰時🐲：Dragons are going to bring rainwater. During Chen Shi from 7 to 9 a.m., the sunlight is getting brighter and temperature is getting higher, the mythical creature dragons are about to bring rainwater to people, and this gives Chen Shi the zodiac Dragon.
Si Shi巳時🐍：Snakes are leaving their holes. Snake acquires Si Shi - 9 - 11 a.m., as they usually leave their holes for absorbing power from the warm sunshine in this comfortable time.
Wu Shi午時🐎：Horses are energetic. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Wu Shi. Horses is on behalf of Wu Shi as they are still sthenic while the others are tired and taking noon break.
Wei Shi未時🐑：Sheep are pasturing.
Sheep zodiac possesses 1 to 3 p.m. named Wei Shi. The heat is going to disappear in the early afternoon, and it is a good time for goats to pasture.
Shen Shi申時🐒：Monkeys are crowing. Shen Shi is three to five o’clock in the afternoon. Monkeys are active and begin to crow by this time. Hence, the Chinese zodiac hour Shen Shi is with Monkey sign.
You Shi酉時🐓：Roosters are returning to dens. 5 to 7 p.m. represents the moment of night falls. It belongs to Rooster among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs as roosters always go back to their homes from 17:00 to 19:00.
Xu Shi戌時🐶：Dogs are on guard.
From 7 to 9 p.m. of Xu Shi in the evening, it’s dark outside, and dogs start to do their job of gate guarding.
Hai Shi亥時🐷：Pigs are sleeping.
Hai Shi is the ending hour from 9 to 11 p.m in a day. All is quiet and pigs are in a deep sleep, so they have Hai Shi.
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