9 Kids, 12 Zodiac Signs : Why This Chinese Mum Wants A Child For Every Zodiac Sign

Everyone has their own idea of what makes life fulfilling; some find joy in careers, others in hobbies, and for many, it's about building a family. But sometimes, these dreams go beyond the ordinary, driven by unique beliefs or ambitions. For one Chinese mother, it's about creating a family that represents every sign of the zodiac, a journey as intriguing as it is unconventional.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

A Woman's Dream to Have a Child for Each Zodiac Sign.

Tian Dongxia, a 33-year-old from Zhejiang, China, has already given birth to nine children and has a big goal ahead-she wants to have a child for each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Tian and her husband, Zhao Wanlong, married in 2010 and welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2010, born in the Year of the Tiger. Since then, they've expanded their family with eight more children, including twin boys born in the Year of the Dragon. Their youngest son, also a Tiger, was born in November 2022. For Tian, having a large family is a blessing, and she's driven by the belief that she shouldn't "waste her husband's good genes."

One Child For Each Zodiac Sign

So far, she and her husband, Zhao Wanlong, have five sons and four daughters but are still missing children born under the Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, and Sheep signs. In October, Tian shared a video on Douyin showing her husband at a hospital check-up, where she's preparing for their tenth child.

Due to health reasons, she can't have a baby in the Year of the Dragon, so she's hoping for a Snake baby next year, as the Snake is considered the earthly incarnation of the Dragon in Chinese culture. Zhao, the CEO and founder of a power supply company, and Tian, the company's general manager, seem to have their hands full, both at home and at work, as they continue to grow their family.

Tian's Big Aspirations For Her Big Family

Since 2009, Tian and her husband, Zhao Wanlong, have been running a successful business that reportedly rakes in nearly 400 million yuan (about US$55 million) annually. They live in a spacious 2,000-square-metre villa, where six nannies and a nutritionist help take care of their nine children.

Tian has even bigger dreams for her family, hoping all her children will one day have nine kids of their own, just like she did. To prepare for this future expansion, the couple plans to renovate their home to accommodate up to "81 grandchildren." Their story has captured the attention of social media in China, with people sharing mixed opinions.

What Netizens Have To Say

Some commented that one with enough money can afford such a large family, noting that the children will always have company and never feel lonely. Others, however, raise concerns, questioning how the couple could balance parenting when all the kids' school events fall on the same day or whether they can truly give each child enough love. A few also worry about the toll continuous pregnancies might take on Tian's health.

China's Birth Rates And Tian's Childbirth

With China's birth rates hitting a historic low of 9.02 million last year, Tian's extraordinary childbirth story stands in stark contrast. Meanwhile the country is trying out bold strategies to encourage families to have more children. In Changsha, southern China, streets were recently lined with slogans like "Having three children is the coolest," stirring plenty of debate.

Meanwhile, a company in eastern China has gone further, offering employees with five children a generous 280,000-yuan reward (around $38,000) and priority for promotions, blending financial incentives with family planning initiatives.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

Her pursuit of a zodiac-inspired family is a unique blend of ambition and tradition, sparking curiosity and conversation about the lengths people go to fulfil their dreams.

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