Zodiac World

The Chinese Zodiac

2008 is The Year of the Rat!
Chinese Calendar Year, 4705

The Chinese Zodiac consists of a 12 year cycle, each year of which is named after a different animal. Each Chinese New Year begins with the second new moon after the winter solstice, which occurs between Jan. 21st and Feb. 19th. The origin of the 12 animal signs of Chinese astrology is unknown. Chinese legend attributes the creation of the signs in 2637 BC to the Yellow Emperor, a semi-mythical figure in Chinese history. Other legends give the credit to Buddha for the creation of the 12-animal cycle.

The Rat

You are ambitious, honest, and generous to those you love, but you often find it difficult to maintain lasting friendships. You tend to be quick tempered and overly critcal. You are inclined to be somewhat of an opportunist. Born under this sign, you should be happy in sales or as a writer, critic, or publicist. Your best relationships will be with the dragon monkey, and ox, and your worst with the horse.

The Ox

You are a born leader, being strong and faithful. You are bright, patient, conservative, a good listener, and good with your hands. You inspire confidence from all around you. Guard against being chauvinistic and too demanding. Born under this sign, you would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. You are compatible with the snake, rooster, and rat, but should avoid the sheep.

The Tiger

You are aggresive, courageous, sensitive, considerate, and capable of great love. However, you have a tendancy to get carried away and be stubborn, and short-tempered about what you think is right. You are often seen as a "hothead" or rebel. Born under this sign, you would be excellent as a boss, race car driver, or matador. You would be happiest with the horse, dragon, or dog, and should leave the monkey and snake alone.

The Rabbit

You are talented, affectionate, pleasant, and kind. You are also somewhat shy, being cautious and conservative. People like to be around you. You work well with others, but have a tendancy to get too sentimental and seem superficial. Born under this sign, you can be successful in business, and make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. You are most compatible with the sheep, boar and dog, but should avoid the rat and rooster.

The Dragon

You are enthusiastic, full of vitality, passionate, and a bit stubborn. You tend to be popular, even with the reputation of sometimes being foolhardy and a "big mouth". You are very healthy, energetic, intelligent, gifted, and a perfectionist. Those qualities can make you demanding of others. Born under this sign, you would be well-suited to be an artist, priest, or politician. Your best relationships will be with the monkey, and rat, and your worst with the dog.

The Snake

You are wise, strong-willed, physically beautiful, charming, yet vain and high tempered. You are deep thinking, and your intuition guides you strongly. Avoid procrastination and your stingy attitude towards money. Keep your sense of humor about life. Born under this sign, you would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortune teller. You get along with the ox, and rooster, but the boart and tiger will bring trouble.

The Horse

Your capacity for hard work is amazing. You are cheerful, popular, attractive, intelligent, flattering to others, and friendly. You are very independent, and have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning. Guard against being egotistical. Born under this sign, you would have success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician. In relationships, seek the tiger, dog, and sheep, but beware of the rat.

The Sheep

You can be charming, elegant and very creative company. You are graceful and artistic, but the first to complain about things. Sometimes confused and puzzled about what to do, put aside your pessimism, timidness, and worry. Try to be less dependent on material comforts. Born under this sign, you would be best as an actor, gardener, or beachcomber. You are most compatible with the rabbit, boar, or horse, but avoid the ox and dog.

The Monkey

You are a very intelligent and possess a genius, clever wit. You are practical, and a stickler for detail. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. However, you sometimes have a low opinion of others. Guard against being an opportunist and distrustful. Born under this sign, you will have success in any field you try. Your best relationships are with the dragon, rat, and sheep, and your worst are with the tiger.

The Rooster

You are a hard worker, seeker of knowledge, and a pioneer. You tend to be selfish and lonely, shrewd and definite in decision making. You often speak your mind, and because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer, a flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under the this sign, you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier, or world traveller. Choose the ox, snake, or dragon, but never the rabbit.

The Dog

You are loyal, honest, generous, work well with others, a good secret-keeper, and are very faithful to those you love. However, you are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendancy to be critical, and a fault finder. Born under this sign, you would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent. You are well-suited to the horse, tiger, and rabbit, but should stay clear of the dragon and sheep.

The Boar

You are intelligent, with a strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are gallant, chivalrous, sincere, tolerant, and honest. You expect the same from others, and that makes you naive. You make few, but long-lasting friendships. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. Born under this sign, you would be best in the arts as an entrepreneur, or possibly a lawyer. Choose the rabbit, sheep, or horse, and avoid the snake.

chinatoday.com was used as a reference for the animal personality traits.