mathematical challenge

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Anyone up for a mathematical challenge?

There is something that I've wanted to figure out for some time now, but it exceeds my brain power and I would like some help. My absolute favorite book character is 11,560 years old this coming May 9, 2012. What I am trying to figure out is what his chinese astrology sign is, just for kicks. It's a weird thing that is irritating me until I know.

Here is a link to the most advanced site about chinese astrology. Everything you'd need to help find an accurate answer.
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2012.htm

There are twelve signs and each sign rotates every year (rather then every month w/regular astrology), and be careful of the start dates as they aren't like the usual calendar year either. Then there are four earth elements that rotate within those signs also, so it's quite a challenge considering how far you'd have to go back.

Currently the year of the Water Dragon, which rang in on Jan 23 '12.

I'd be happy just to know the sign, but bonus credit goes to how amazing you can be if you find out the element too. No guessing, karma is a &itch.



Anyone game to figuring this out for me?

Year of the Rat, Yang Earth. Provided that my information was correct. I'll double-check the numbers in the morning but I'm confident about them.

The link you provided states that the year 2012 is the 4709th Chinese year. Since the character in question in more than two times older than the Chinese calendar, I'm gonna have to say he wont have a Chinese Astrological sign.

However, if we stretch it that far, I'm getting year of the Rat, but seem to be coming up with Yang Metal. I'm not confident in that, but it's the best I've got this late at night.

Given that he's 11,560 years old, that tells us, according the Sexagenary Cycle, that 192 full cycles and 66% have been completed in his lifetime. The last full 60 year cycle ended in 1983, giving us 29 years into the next cycle to reach the current year of 2012. 66%of a the 60 year cycle is 39.6 years. If we use 40 years and subtract the 29 years we have accumulated since 1983, we're left with 11 years. Thus his birth occurred (or would have had the calendar existed) 11 years prior to the completion of a 60 year cycle. This would suggest that his birth occurred in the 49th year of the cycle, which is Yang Water Rat. Of course, there would be a statistical margin of error given that we rounded the 39.6 years up to 40.

Did that make sense?

Yes, that makes sense the way you explained it.

Many thanks to you both for playing with this. I knew someone here would be able to find the answer. I had come up with Tiger as his sign and didn't even try for the element, I lost myself. Since you both came up with Rat I trust you nailed it. This means a lot. Will share with the author for fun nearer his b-day.