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A 33-year-old woman in China has sparked intense discussion online for her decision to have nine children, aiming eventually to have one for each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Motivated by a desire not to "waste her husband’s good genes," Tian Dongxia from Zhejiang province has become the face of an unconventional approach to family life.
Tian and her husband, Zhao Wanlong, met in 2008, married in 2010, and welcomed their first child the same year - a daughter born in the Year of the Tiger. Over the past decade, they expanded their family to nine children, including twin boys born in the Year of the Dragon. Their youngest, another Tiger, was born in November 2022. Despite her already large family, Tian is preparing for her tenth pregnancy, hoping to have a Snake baby in 2025.
Tian attributes her goal of having children representing all 12 zodiac signs to her belief in family completeness and honoring her husband’s genetics. Currently, the family has children representing seven zodiac signs but is missing Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, and Sheep.
Beyond their immediate family goals, Tian and Zhao have even grander plans. They hope their nine children will follow their lead, each having nine children of their own. “We’re preparing for our future family expansion,” Tian explained, noting plans to renovate their 2,000-square-meter villa to accommodate their envisioned 81 grandchildren.
The couple, who co-own a power supply business with annual earnings reportedly nearing 400 million yuan (US$55 million), have the financial resources to support their unique lifestyle. Their sprawling home is staffed by six nannies and a nutritionist to care for their children.
Their story has ignited widespread debate on Chinese social media. Supporters admire their financial capacity and the close-knit sibling dynamic such a large family fosters. “Only with sufficient money can you afford to raise so many children. The children will have plenty of playmates and will not feel lonely,” wrote one user.
Critics, however, raised concerns about parental attention and Tian’s health. “What if all the kids’ classes have parent-teacher meetings at the same time? Will the parents be able to give each child equal love?” questioned one commentator. Another added, “This is crazy! Having children continuously could cause irreversible harm to the mother’s body.”
