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Chinese Zodiac

In traditional China, dating methods were cyclical, meaning years were repeated according to a pattern. Folklore reflects this cyclical concept of time via the Chinese Zodiac, a 12-year cycle represented by 12 animal signs. Every year is assigned an animal according to a repeating cycle (every 12 years, the same animal reappears). Like the West's monthly horoscopes for moon signs, similar horoscopes have been developed around Chinese animal signs. The animals are thought to have different personalities and characteristics, which in turn are believed to represent the traits of the people born under the corresponding years.

DRAGON: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Born under the sign of luck, Dragons are proud and spirited characters with a tremendous amount of self-confidence. They are usually very outgoing and enjoy being in the spotlight, attracting attention whenever possible.
Dragons are assertive individuals with great will power and the strong desire to succeed. Often rising to the top of their chosen career field, they have considerable leadership skills and do well in positions where they are able to enforce their own policies. Those born under this sign are diligent, hard-working, and usually highly intelligent. They will attempt to take advantage of any situation, even by working the most unsociable hours to attain their lofty goals. Dragons often perform best when confronted with difficult problems and can be somewhat perfectionists. They take a great deal of pride in their judgment and remain self-sufficient. Although they hold enormous faith in their abilities, they sometimes prove to be overconfident and can make serious errors in judgment. Fortunately, Dragons have the ability to bounce back from mistakes quickly and start anew with a clean slate.
Those born under this sign live for the moment. They are somewhat impulsive and do not always think about the consequences of their actions. They also tend to be short tempered and quick to criticize anything that displeases them. But while lacking in tact and diplomacy, Dragons can often times be gullible by taking people by their word. If they feel their trust has been betrayed or dignity wounded, they can become bitter and take a long time to forgive and forget.
Dragons tend to enjoy sports and other forms of outdoor activities. They especially enjoy traveling, particularly off the beaten path.

SNAKE: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Born under the sign of wisdom, Snakes are highly intelligent and always active. They are constantly planning and looking for ways to put their considerable skills to use. Those born under the sign prefer to rely upon their own judgment and not the advice of those around them. They enjoy a challenge and rarely make mistakes, finding discernable luck in financial matters. Performing well in any job that involves research or a way to develop their skills, Snakes are also hard and diligent workers who are thorough in all their actions. They can, however, prove to be ruthless in achieving their goals.
Snakes are sometimes perceived as solitary people due to the fact that they are quite reserved and tend to have difficulty in communicating with others. They usually have a quiet, peaceful nature and dislike a frenzied environment. Snakes can also be evasive and do not easily let people into their confidence. They choose friends wisely and grow to be very loyal, perhaps even jealous, and do not take kindly when their trust has been betrayed.
Many times throughout their lives, those born under this sign will shed their "snakeskin" and make a change to their everyday lives. Snakes enjoy the finer things in life and love to read, taking particular interest in the unknown.

HORSE: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Those born under this sign of elegance and zeal tend to have charming and engaging manners, making them very popular. Horses exhibit great senses of humor and usually make favorable impressions wherever they go. They are very social, loving to attend parties and other social gatherings.
Horses have strong leadership qualities and enjoy being in the spotlight. They tend to be eloquent and persuasive speakers, actively engaging themselves in discussions and debates. Those born under the sign tend to have fiery tempers and although their outbursts are usually short-lived, they tend to say things they later regret. Due to their many talents and likeable nature, Horses often go far in life, with success meaning everything to them. Because they tend to be somewhat self-centered, should they fail to succeed, it can take them a long time to recover from their perceived failures and humiliation.
Horses have many interests and involve themselves in a variety of activities, easily getting caught up in the latest passing fad. They tend to get involved with so many activities that they often waste their energies on projects that are never completed. But they like this certain degree of freedom and choose not to be bound by society's rules and regulations, feeling that they are not answerable to anyone other than themselves. Yet despite this sense of freedom, Horses like to have the support and encouragement of others.
These individuals pay a lot of attention to their physical appearance so they are attractive to the opposite sex. Horses tend to have many romances before settling down, but upon finding their soul-mates, they are very protective and loyal.

SHEEP/GOAT: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Born under the sign of artistic ability, Sheep (also known as Goats) are imaginative and creative. They are happiest when they are engaging in artistic pursuits.
While keeping with the tradition of most artists, Sheep refuse to be bound by strict routine. They tend to have an easy-going nature and prefer to live in pressure-free environments without discord. They like to work in teams as opposed to solitude, taking pleasure in the support and encouragement of others. When possible, Sheep will leave the decision-making to others while they focus on more personal pursuits. But they hold a persuasive nature and can usually use their charms to get their own way.
The Sheep exhibits a kind, understanding, and quiet nature, but when in the company of those with whom they feel comfortable, they often find themselves the center of attention. Because they can be highly amusing, they excel at being marvelous hosts and entertainers. Sheep can win friends easily and people usually feel relaxed in their company.
Although not particularly materialistic, they are usually lucky in financial matters and are rarely short of money. This is definitely a benefit, as Sheep have a great appreciation for the finer things in life. Affairs of the heart are particularly important, and they tend to maintain strong bonds with their family members. Sheep also tend to be rather nostalgic, deeply religious and often athletic.

MONKEY: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
The sign of Monkey represents fantasy. Those born under it usually lead colorful and eventful lives, trying their hands at many different things during their lifetime. Monkeys enjoy pursuing multiple interests and love to travel. They tend to be overly imaginative, quite inquisitive and ever-observant of their surroundings. A lack of persistence makes them easily distracted, which tends to hamper their progress.
Extremely good organizers with great memories, Monkeys always have plans forming in the back of their minds. They are masters of self-preservation, quite capable of solving problems and saving themselves and others from seemingly hopeless situations. They are survivors.
Monkeys are original thinkers and cherish their independence, disliking being bound by restrictions. They are crafty, cunning and can at times be somewhat dishonest. They tend to seize opportunities to profit themselves, or simply to outsmart their opponent. Monkeys exhibit so much charm and guile that people do not often realize what they are up to until it is too late.
Monkeys are convincing talkers and enjoy taking active roles in discussions or debates, where they can easily persuade others to their way of thinking. They enjoy being helpful and offering sensible, often highly reliable advice. Monkeys are intelligent, well-read, and always eager and willing to learn.

ROOSTER: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
With flamboyant and colorful personalities, Roosters are generally very dignified in manner and carry themselves with an air of authority. They are very distinguished in appearance and like to be the center of attention whenever possible. Those born under the sign tend to lead healthy social lives, with a wide circle of friends. They exhibit great senses of humor and are effective and persuasive speakers. They love discussions and debates and do not hesitate to speak their minds.
Roosters are able to build influential contacts with ease. They are usually highly intelligent and well-read. They can also be very ambitious, but sometimes set unrealistic goals, tending to let their imagination run away with them. Consequently, Roosters do not handle criticism well, nor do they appreciate when people pry too deeply into their affairs.
Meticulous in all they do, Roosters are well-organized and prefer to plan all activities well in advance. They dislike inefficiency and prefer to conduct all activities in an orderly manner.
Born under sign of sincerity, Roosters have a very caring nature and are consistently willing to help those who are less fortunate. They are extremely loyal to their marriage partners, providing they are given the freedom to pursue their multitude of interests. Roosters usually have large families and take a particularly active interest in the education of their children.

DOG: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Dogs tend to hold firm views and beliefs that they are the champions of a just cause, despising any form of injustice or unfair treatment. They will do anything possible to help those who are less fortunate than themselves and are happiest when helping someone or doing something that benefits others. The first people to offer assistance when it is needed, Dogs tend to do exceptionally well in jobs in which they are helping others.
Very direct and straightforward, Dogs do not deviate from the task at hand. They usually have very set interests, preferring to specialize in a single field than to dabble in many. Their mood is forever changing because their personal standards are very high and they tend to view situations pessimistically. Those born under the sign remain calm in crises, but have voracious tempers. These temper tantrums are short-lived, but are usually directed at those whom have disappointed them.
The Dog is born under the sign of loyalty and anxiety. Good judges of character, Dogs prefer to avoid large gatherings and would much rather spend time with a small group of close friends. They have a wonderful rapport with children and can become loving parents, remaining loyal and protective. The Dog also tends to be fair in listening to others' viewpoints when making decisions and is always open to taking advice that is readily available.

PIG: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Pigs have good senses of humor and love to entertain others. They are creatures of comfort, usually having their homes fitted with the most modern of luxury items. As pleasure seekers, Pigs are willing to spend their money on lavish vacations or luxurious meals. They are generally very popular and like to be involved in group situations, going through life making friends, helping others and winning admiration. They are also very popular with the opposite sex, but tend to be quite loyal once they settle down.
Born under sign of honesty, Pigs are generally truthful and to-the-point. They have a kind and understanding nature and are well-known for their abilities as peacemakers. Those born under this sign hate discord and will do everything possible to sort out opposing viewpoints by bringing opposing factions together. Pigs also despise any form of hypocrisy and are firm supporters of justice, law and order. Fortunately, they are reasonably tolerant and willing to forgive.
Pigs are hard-working, conscientious individuals who are well-respected for their reliability and morality. They willingly sacrifice their time for the common good and can always be relied upon to lend a hand. A downside of this characteristic is that they have a difficult time saying "no" and are easily be manipulated, proving to be slightly na�ve and gullible. But if at any point they feel let down, they will never repeat the same mistake twice. They have an enormous ability to bounce back from negative situations reasonably quickly.

RAT: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
The sign of charm and intelligence, Rats are diligent workers and can be quite imaginative, never being short of ideas. They are opportunists, constantly seeking ways to improve their wealth and lifestyle, rarely passing on any idea that could be profitable. They are extremely thrifty, rarely discarding anything in hopes that it will be valuable at a later time.
Rats tend to be very sociable and outgoing individuals, indulging themselves in the party scene and other types of social gatherings. With a strong dislike of being alone, they tend to become depressed if left solitary for long periods of time. Yet due to their kind nature, Rats hardly ever find themselves completely alone. They are caring, considerate, and easily able to make friends.
Those born under this sign are genuinely interested in the welfare and activities of the people around them. They tend to be very observant and can easily relate with others. While always providing an honest and unbiased opinion, they tend to be indiscreet and critical of others. Due to their bright and irresistible nature, however, Rats are easily forgiven their indiscretions.
While Rats are extroverts, they also tend to be very private individuals. They like to keep their feelings to themselves, becoming resentful toward anyone trying to delve too deeply into their affairs. But the highly family-oriented Rats take a great interest in their children's well-being, catering to their every need to the point of spoiling them.

OX: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Born under the sign of balance and perseverance, Oxen are extremely hard workers. Everything they do is done in a tenacious and methodical manner. They exhibit strong leadership skills and are quite ambitious, taking responsibilities seriously and never faltering in their goals. Those born under this sign are very decisive and are quick to turn a situation to their advantage. They are extremely traditional and are not prone to taking up anything new, tending to use conventional means to obtain their goals.
Well-organized and neat, Oxen place great emphasis on punctuality. They tend to have a calm and tranquil nature, but if they are angered or feel someone has let them down, they have fearsome tempers. Also, Oxen's tendency to be stubborn can lead them into conflict with those around them. Usually, Oxen will get their way, yet should things go against them, they prove to be sore losers and take defeat poorly.
Due to their dedicated and dependable nature, Oxen will generally do well in their chosen career paths and excel at careers that require specialized training. They are also very gifted in the arts, finding considerable success in the music industry. Once settled in a job, Oxen will remain there for a great period of time.
Oxen remain somewhat loners by maintaining very private lifestyles. Their homes are extremely important to them and are usually regarded as their private sanctuaries. They tend to dislike change and travel, yet enjoy outdoor activities at home. Since Oxen are very outgoing, they tend to have long courtships and are loyally devoted to their partners.

TIGER: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Tigers are often sources of inspiration by leading most fulfilling and satisfying lives. They are very alert and creative, constantly formulating new and innovative ideas with a great deal of enthusiasm. Tigers are charismatic individuals, holding firm viewpoints and rarely being deterred from their mindset. They only feel comfortable when they are the center of attention and reputation is very important to them. Generally carrying themselves with an air of dignity, those born under this sign are very open and honest in dealing with others. They tend to be blunt and forthright, never hesitating to speak their mind.
Tigers exemplify the very essence of courage. They live for the challenge and choose to get involved with anything that will have an exciting future or test their skills at a new level. By refusing to be bound by convention, they enjoy the freedom to do as they please. Tigers are restless by nature, so even if they are involved in one activity, they will abandon it if something more appealing is discovered. This somewhat impulsive nature proves that they tend not to think before acting. Consequently, if they are unsuccessful in their pursuits, Tigers will sink into feelings of depression, making their lives a roller coaster series of ups and downs.
Lively and witty, Tigers can be somewhat dominating marriage partners and family members. They tend to show their affection by showering lavish gifts on friends and family.

RABBIT: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Well-known pacifists, Rabbits enjoy a peaceful existence with their surroundings and avoid disputes at all costs. They tend to have a calming influence on those around them. Rarely angered enough to raise their voices, Rabbits choose instead to ignore that which displeases them in order to preserve the peace. They prefer to stay on good terms with everyone, tending to be sensitive and responding poorly to any form of criticism.
Born under the sign of virtue and discretion, Rabbits' advice is widely respected and sought-after in times of crisis. They are quiet, efficient and diligent workers who are very perceptive in business and financial matters. Rabbits are loyal employees who are respected for their honesty and integrity. They hate being involved in situations that are wrought with tension or require them to make sudden decisions. Instead, Rabbits prefer to plan activities and make decisions with the utmost care and precision. Generally very conscientious of others, and because of their methodical and observational nature, Rabbits excel in jobs that involve communication.
Rabbits tend to be intelligent and well-cultured. Because of this cultured nature, they have a strong appreciation for the arts and the high life, opting to attend the finer restaurants and nightclubs. They take great pride in their homes and will go to great lengths to keep them comfortable and modern. Rabbits also prove to be avid collectors, deriving pleasure from stamps, antiques, coins, etc.

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