Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar and is based on the cycles of the moon,
unlike our western or Gregorian calendar which is based on the solar cycle.
In Chinese astrology, because the moon's cycle repeats itself every 12 years, there are 12 animals in the
Chinese Horoscope - one for each year of the lunar cycle. The 12 animals in the Western Zodiac in
contrast, are assigned to each solar month.

The Legend
The origins of the Chinese Zodiac go back a few thousand years. According to the myths, long time ago,
Buddha decided to call all the animals on earth. But only twelve came:

the Rat

the Ox

the Tiger

the Rabbit

the Dragon

the Snake

the Horse

the Goat

the Monkey

the Rooster

the Dog

the Pig

In recompense, he assigned each of these animals a year on the cycle affirming that children born in that
year would acquire the personality traits of the animal assigned to that year.
In order to decide their order in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, the animals held a very exciting race. The first
one to cross the river would be granted the first year, the second to come in would be the second animal in
the cycle, and so on.
The strong, hardworking Ox was in the lead. Suddenly, the clever Rat, jumped on the Ox's back, he did not
even feel the little thing getting a free ride. At the last second before reaching shore, the Rat jumped on land,
winning the race! The Ox came in second, the Tiger third, and so it went... the happy-go-lucky Pig took his
time and came in last... and the Chinese Zodiac was born...

The Animals... which one is yours?In China, individual birth dates are not as important as the
year in which a person is born. And if you want to know a person's age, you don't ask how old they are, you ask for their Chinese
Zodiac animal. To know which one is yours, look up the year of your birth below and look at the qualities of that animal to see
how much of it agrees with you:

Rat
If you were born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 then you are a Rat.
You are charming, picky, ambitious and bright. You are adventurous and deep thinking.
You get along well with Dragons and Monkeys. Stay away from Horses.

Ox
If you were born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 you are an Ox.
You are patient, hardworking and dependable. You are trustworthy and like to follow rules.
Your friends are the Snake and the Rooster. Your opposite is the Goat.

Tiger
If you were born in 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 you are a Tiger.
You are powerful, aggressive and courageous. You can also be rebellious and unpredictable
but at the same time protective and sympathetic.
The Dog and the Horse are your best signs. The monkey is trouble.

Rabbit
If you were born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 you are a Rabbit.
The Rabbit is considered the luckiest of the Chinese Zodiac animals. You are affectionate,
virtuous and kind. You are sensitive to beauty and aim for peace in your life.
You are most compatible with the Goat and the Pig. Your opposite is the Rooster.

Dragon
If you were born in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 you are a Dragon.
The Dragon was a symbol of Imperial power in ancient China; and Chinese consider it a great honor to be
born in the Year of the Dragon. This belief is so strong that every time the Year of the Dragon comes around,
there is a mini Baby Boom in this year.

Dragons are full of strength and energy, always on the go. You are powerful, wealthy and
wise.
Look to the Monkey or the Rat and watch out for Dogs.

Snake
If you were born in 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 you are a Snake.
Snakes are determined, wise and intense. You are vain and inclined towards physical
beauty.
Befriend the Rooster and the Ox but not the Pig.

Horse
If you were born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 you are a Horse.
Horses are popular and very attractive. Talkative and sometimes showy and impatient.
You get along with Tigers and Dogs but never with Rats.

Goat
Now listen to your teachers other version of
the legend
and
fillborn
ininthe
If you were
1967, grid.
1979, 1991, 2003 you are a Goat.
You are creative and elegant. Goats are tender and sympathetic, sometimes shy.
The Ox is trouble. Rabbits and Pigs are OK.

Monkey
If you were born in 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 you are a Monkey.
Monkeys are charming and intelligent, inventive and at times deceitful. You are able to
influence people and are successful at almost anything.
Your friends are the Dragon and the Rat but not the Tiger.