Chinese zodiac: Did you mean...?

A 'zodiac man' woodcut from the almanacs of Petrus Slovacius, published by Johan Scharffenberg, Breslau, 1580. Wellcome Collection, London. The zodiac man regularly appeared in astrological and medical texts throughout the 16th century...

Zodiac man diagram from a 15th-century physician's almanac from England, Sloane MS 2250, f12r. The diagram shows the zodiac signs that were believed to influence various parts of the body in the Middle Ages. British Library, London.

The emperors of ancient China had tremendous power and responsibility. Called the 'Son of Heaven', he (and once she) was given a divine right to rule over all people but was expected to promote their best interest and not his own. An absolute...

The crossbow was introduced into Chinese warfare during the Warring States period (481-221 BCE). Developing over the centuries into a more powerful and accurate weapon, the crossbow also came in versions light enough to be fired with one...

Reconstruction of the Dendera Zodiac with its original colors. Egypt, c. 1st century BCE.

A detail of a mosaic depicting the signs of the zodiac. From a 6th century CE synagogue at Beth Alpha, Jezreel Valley, northern Israel.

Dragons appear in the mythology of many ancient cultures but nowhere else in the world was the creature quite so revered as in China. There, in marked contrast to other world mythologies, the dragon was almost always seen in a positive light...

Western astrology refers to a form of divination based on the motion of astronomical objects such as stars or planets. The belief that astronomical objects are divine or influence events on Earth is found in many cultures, but the practices...

Lacquer was a popular form of decoration and protective covering in ancient China. It was used to colour and beautify screens, furniture, bowls, cups, sculpture, musical instruments, and coffins, where it could be carved, incised, and inlaid...

Although the bow and crossbow were the weapons of choice for much of China's history, the sword played its part, especially when warriors were forced to dismount and face the enemy at close quarters. Widely used from around 500 BCE, swords...