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Astrology originated in ancient Babylonia and spread from there to China, India, and the West, where different but related traditions grew up. The earliest known horoscope incorporating the principles of mature astrology dates from 409 BC. In the 2nd century AD the astronomer Claudius Ptolemy prefaced his Tetrabiblos with a defense of astrology that proved influential. After the fall of the Roman Empire, astrology declined in the Latin west but flourished in the hands of the conquerors the Eastern Empire.

In the 12th century astrology began to prosper in Western Europe. By the end of the 17th century, however, astrology was considered a pseudoscience by almost all learned people. Not only was it opposed to the Christian doctrines of divine intervention and human free will, but also the acceptance of a greatly-expanded, Sun-centered universe raised doubt about whether the heavens were created to direct changes on Earth.

Although astrology has persisted to the present day, enjoying greater popularity in some countries than in others, it has never attracted more than an occasional scientist to its ranks since the 17th century. Periods of resurgence may correspond with times of uncertainty, especially when science and technology seem unable to provide acceptable solutions to pressing problems and when many people seem to seek a more mystical and spiritual mode of understanding the world. Many contemporary works of astrology use the terminology of recent psychological theories.

The astrological column in a newspaper today is generally based on the sign of the Zodiac in which the sun was located when a person was born. A simplified form of astrology, it implied that all people born under the same sign anywhere in the world at any time share common characteristic and that their daily activities should be so guided. A more individual analysis is possible when casting a horoscope by noting the relationships of the Sun, Moon, planets, and signs of the Zodiac to the time and place of one's birth.

The twelve parts on the Western Zodiac are believed to control the destiny of those born on a day assigned to each part: Aries (the Ram), Taurus (the Bull), Gemini (the Twins), Cancer (the crab), Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Virgin), Libra (the Scales), Scorpio (the Scorpion), Sagittarius (the Archer), Capricorn (the Goat), Aquarius (the water carrier), Pisces (the fishes).

The Korean zodiac consists of a 12-year cycle in which each year is represented by a particular animal. Associated with each animal are certain characteristics. Like the Chinese zodiac on which it is based, the Korean zodiac follows the lunar calendar.

The year in which a person was born determines his or her animal zodiac sign, and sometimes, depending on one's sex, certain signs are considered more auspicious or inauspicious. Traditionally, Koreans believed that the characteristics ascribed to one's sign predetermined one's personality and destiny. Even today, the zodiac signs are considered important factors not only in foretelling one's fortune or fate in life, but also in assessing the compatibility of prospective marriage partners.

In oriental region, especially in Korea, there is a lot of ways to predict one's fate or future. Among them, the fundamental and most general method is the way by so called "Tee". It also consists of twelve symbols-all symbols are animals reflect some ancient thoughts in Shamanism (called Kut in Korean), and twelve animal totems (Ship e gung or Hwang-do-dae): the Rat, the Bull, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Lamb, the Monkey, the Cock, the Pig, the Dog.

The legend of how and why these animals became the totems varies but generally the story goes something like this:

One day, Buddha decided to choose twelve animals and make them signs of man's character and destiny. He informed all animals over the world of his decision .

Buddha told all animals, "the first twelve of you to arrive at the finish line by tomorrow noon may be one of symbols." So all the animals went to sleep early for a race the next day. About 3:00 a.m., the Ox awoke and thought, "I am very slow, so if I want to be chosen to be one of the symbols, I have to start sooner." So he started first when other animals were still sleeping. However, the Rat awoke when the Ox passed and the Rat thought, " I am very small and cannot run as fast as the larger animals, so, if I start with other animals, I will not be fast enough to be one of the twelve symbols." So he decided to start with the Ox, and rode secretly on the Ox's back .

Not knowing this, the Ox slowly walked toward the finish line. In the morning, the rest of the animals awoke and found that the Ox and Rat were already gone, so they did their best to catch up. As the Ox neared the finish line, he thought, "Wow, I am first." Soon after Ox finished his thoughts, the Rat jumped from the Ox's head and shouted, "Sorry friend, but I am first and you are second."

Although the Ox was disappointed, he walked faster because he saw the other animals followed him. At last, he passed the finish line and he took the second position. The remaining ten positions distributed to animals were: Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Pig, and Dog.

Another version says that:

When Buddha died, people gathered in sorrow at his deathbed. Twelve animals, also in mourning, came, and for their devotion to Buddha, people honored them by naming the years after them according to the order in which they arrived. Thus, the animal years are rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

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