Chinese New Year Animal

The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the Western linear concept of time. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and is constructed in a different fashion than the Western solar calendar. In the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February.

A cultural sidelight of the animal signs in Chinese folklore is that horoscopes have developed around the animal signs, much like monthly horoscopes in the West have been developed for the different moon signs, Pisces, Aries, etc. For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that a person born in the Year of the Horse would be, "cheerful, popular, and loves to compliment others". These horoscopes are amusing, but not regarded seriously by most Chinese people.

Below you will find a short description of each of the 12 animal signs according to the Chinese Zodiac. If you are interested in further information regarding Chinese New Year Animals, may we recommend some light reading for you?

The Chinese Zodiac - The 12 Animal Signs

Rat ( 1912 - 1924 - 1936 - 1948 - 1960 - 1972 - 1984 - 1996 - 2008)

You are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the person you love. However, you have a tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. You are also inclined to be somewhat of an opportunist. Born under this sign, you should be happy in sales or as a writer, critic, or publicist. Some Rats: Charlotte Bronte, Truman Capote, Catherine I, Mata Hari, Wolfgang Mozart, William Shakespeare, George Washington.

Ox ( 1913 - 1925 - 1937 - 1949 - 1961 - 1973 - 1985 - 1997 - 2009)

A born leader, you inspire confidence from all around you. You are conservative, methodical, and good with your hands. Guard against being chauvinistic and always demanding your own way. The Ox would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. Some Oxen: Napoleon Bonaparte, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Richard Nixon, Rosa Parks, Sylvia Porter, Vincent Van Gogh.

Tiger ( 1914 - 1926 - 1938 - 1950 - 1962 - 1974 - 1986 - 1998- 2010)

You are sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love. However, you have a tendency to get carried away and be stubborn about what you think is right; often seen as a "Hothead" or rebel. Your sign shows you would be excellent as a boss, explorer, race car driver, or matador. Some Tigers: Judy Blume, Emily Bronte, Emily Dickinson, Isadora Duncan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mary Harris (Mother) Jones, Barbara McClintock, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter.

Rabbit ( 1915 - 1927 - 1939 - 1951 - 1963 - 1975 - 1987- 1999)

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. The sweet, sensitive Rabbit often ends up giving more of itself to a partner than is realistic or healthy. Rabbits can also lapse into pessimism and may seem stuck in life -- often to mask their insecure natures.

Dragon ( 1916 - 1928 - 1940 - 1952 - 1964 - 1976 - 1988 - 2000)

Full of vitality and enthusiasm, the Dragon is a popular individual even with the reputation of being foolhardy and a "big mouth" at times. You are intelligent, gifted, and a perfectionist but these qualities make you unduly demanding on others. You would be well-suited to be an artist, priest, or politician. Some Dragons: Louisa May Alcott, Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, Pearl Buck, Sigmund Freud, Theodore Seuss Geisel, John Lennon, Florence Nightingale, Pat Schroeder, Mae West.

Snake ( 1917 - 1929 - 1941 - 1953 - 1965 - 1977 - 1989 - 2001)

Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep thinking and your intuition guides you strongly. Avoid procrastination and your stingy attitude towards money. Keep your sense of humor about life. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, and fortune teller. Some Snakes: Clara Barton, Liz Claiborne, Charles Darwin, Mary Baker Eddy, Elizabeth I, Fannie Farmer, Anne Frank, Mahatma Gandhi, Ellen Goodman, Carole King, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Edgar Allen Poe.

Horse ( 1918 - 1930 - 1942 - 1954 - 1966 - 1978 - 1990 - 2002)

Your capacity for hard work is amazing. You are your own person; you are very independent. While, intelligent and friendly, you have a strong guard against being egotistical. Your sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician. Some Horses: Louisa May Alcott, Chopin, Davy Crockett, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Sandra Day O'Connor, Rembrandt, Teddy Roosevelt.

Goat ( 1919 - 1931 - 1943 - 1955 - 1967 - 1979 - 1991- 2003)

Except for the knack of always getting off on the wrong foot with people, the Goat can be charming company. You are elegant and artistic but the first to complain about things. Put aside your pessimism and worry and try to be less dependent on material comforts. You would be best as an actor, gardener, or beachcomber. Some Goats: Rachel Carson, Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Rudolph Valentino, Barbara Walters, Orville Wright.

Monkey ( 1920 - 1932 - 1944 - 1956 - 1968 - 1980 - 1992 - 2004)

You are very intelligent and have a very clever wit. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. The Monkey, however, must guard against being an opportunist and distrustful of other people. Your sign promises success in any field you try. Some Monkeys: Julius Caesar, Bette Davis, Annie Oakley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betsy Ross, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Harry S. Truman, Leonardo da Vinci, Alice Walker.

Rooster ( 1921 - 1933 - 1945 - 1957 - 1969 - 1981 - 1993 - 2005)

The Rooster is a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making, often speaking his mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer, flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under this sign you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier, or world traveler. Some Roosters: Virginia Apgar, Catherine the Great, Amelia Earhart, Rudyard Kipling, Groucho Marx, Peter Ustinov.

Dog ( 1910 - 1922 - 1934 - 1946 - 1958 - 1970 - 1982 - 1994 - 2006)

The Dog will never let you down. Born under this sign you are honest, and faithful to those you love. You are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a fault finder. You would make an excellent businessperson, activist, teacher, or secret agent. Some Dogs: Cher, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, Dorothea Dix, Benjamin Franklin, George Gershwin, Jane Goodall, Herbert Hoover, Shirley McLaine, Golda Meir, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Socrates.

Boar ( 1911 - 1923 - 1935 - 1947 - 1959 - 1971 - 1983 - 1995 - 2007)

You are a splendid companion, an intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are sincere, tolerant, and honest but by expecting the same from others, you are incredibly naive. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. The Boar would be best in the arts as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. Could 2007 be the highly anticipated year of the Golden Pig? Pregnancy rates across Asia are up as couples try to have a child during this famed year. Some Boars: Lucille Ball, Ernest Hemingway, Mahalia Jackson, Albert Schweitzer, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.