Chinese
horoscope, Chinese zodiac, a 12-year cycle named after
animals, is often used to denote the year of a person’s birth. It
becomes a special way of numbering the years by associating the
12-year cycle with 12 symbolic animals. The 12 animals are rat,
ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster,
dog, and pig. They correspond respectively to 12 Earthly Branches:
zi, chou, yin, mao, chen, si, wu, wei, shen, you, xu, and hai. Chinese
horoscope is an interesting folk custom through which people pray
for blessings and on which they place hopes for an easy and comfortable
life. With its rich cultural connotation, it may be rated as a cultural
symbol unique to the Chinese nation.
Chinese horoscope appeared in an embryonic form as early as the
Shang and Zhou Periods (16th -3rd Century B.C). The names of Chinese
horoscope gradually came into being during the time from the spring
and Autumn Period (770-476B.C) and were established in the Han Dynasty
(206B.C-220A.D). Since then, Chinese horoscope has been used for
more than one thousand years and has been handed down from generation
to generation.
Chinese used the
12 symbolic animals to mark the year of one’s birth. They also believe
the animal sign is related to one’s characteristics and fortune.
Rat ranks first. It is regarded as a symbol of
being alert and flexible, adaptable to difficulties, having a flourishing
family, and living in prosperity. The rat sign carries the auspicious
meaning of breeding unceasingly and interminably. Those born in
the year of rat are, gentle, clever, alert, sensitive, temperamental,
ambitious, having broad interests and strong ability in adapting
to environment and able to react adequately to any changes. They
are quick-witted, full of ideas and adept in understanding others.
They are gifted in many ways, and have an easy going manner. The
females are particularly clean in habit, and good at house-keeping.
They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able
to grasp opportunities. They are acute in perception, could do everything,
and manage well in multiple ways. They seem to have interest in
everything and hope to participate in doing it and really do it
very well. In love, they are easily involved in romantic affairs.
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008 are the
year of rat. Ox ranks second. It is regarded as a symbol of
being industrious and simple, sincere and honest, mighty and persistent,
and enduring humiliations. The ox sign symbolizes prosperity through
fortitude, hard work and propitious weather. Those are born in the
year of ox are, tenacious, prudent, careful, earnest, firm and steady,
a little bit stubborn, and doing things on their own ideas or abilities,
not easily disturbed by others or the environment. Before taking
any action, they often have a careful thought, and stick to their
ideas and strong physical strength. They have the temper of ox,
make a clear of distinction between the right and wrong, act in
accordance to the rules, and persevere in their undertakings. They
are gentle and kind, patriotic, idealistic and ambitious, pay great
attention to their families and jobs, and are the conservatives
in respecting the convention. Their emotions are rich, love and
hatred in distinct, and they should be eventually successful despite
some zigzags. 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, and
2009 are the year of ox. Tiger ranks the third. It is regarded as a symbol
of being powerful and valiant, bold and upright, quick tempered,
talented and dignified-looking. The sign of tiger carries the auspicious
meaning of exorcising evil spirits and ensuring peace and health.
Those born in the year of tiger are lenient externally, but unyielding
internally, brave and prefer to be praised, but are kind and willing
to sacrifice themselves for others. They like to be in the limelight,
stubborn in personality, and act arbitrarily. They take risks, like
to show off, are very ambitious and will rush even on frustration
with full confidence. They are open, frank and easily trusted. They
are fond of competitions, not obedient to others. Whether couples
or lovers they are, there are often more obstacles in course. 1914,
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 are the year of tiger. Rabbit ranks the fourth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being gentle and quiet, pure and elegant, sensitive and quick-witted,
a little self-conceited, honest and kind-hearted. The sign of rabbit
carries the auspicious meaning of transcending the worldliness and
attaining longevity. Those born in the rear of rabbit are meticulous,
gentle and give every care to others. They are linguistically talented
and eloquent, so are welcomed by others. Their characters are changeable,
conservative and sober-minded. They prefer smooth love life without
any disturbance. They are sociable and kind to others, talk cheerfully
and humorously on a broad range of topics with elegant demeanor.
They dislike quarrel with others, and have gentle temperament of
turning enemies to friends. They are bold, unconstrained, and resolute
on their decisions. They pay attention to aesthetics, the arrangement
and furnishings in their homes are fine and tastefully laid out.
They like to make friends, are polite, sympathetic, and happy to
help others. Their feelings are sometimes fragile, and easily misunderstood.1915,
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011 are the year
of rabbit. Dragon ranks the fifth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being honorable and sacred, adaptable to circumstances, sensible
and broad-minded, and having lofty aspirations. The design of dragon
carries the auspicious meaning of punishing the evil forces and
safeguarding peace and prosperity. Those born in the year of dragon
are firm, proud and disagreeable with their seniors. They like to
ponder, predict, and struggle. They have strong ideas and physical
strength, and are energetic and sensitive to their reputation. They
never admit failures, and often act self-confidently. They have
strong ego consciousness and ambitious plans, frank characters and
are talented in leadership. They are sincere, and will never do
any mean, evil or false deeds or make any mischief. They are not
afraid of difficulties, and will try to do everything as perfectly
as possible. They are also temperamental. The females are straightforward,
warm, and generous and understand others well, and are attractive
to males. In love affairs, it seems to be smoother than in other
aspects.1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012
are the year of dragon. Snake ranks the sixth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being beautiful and attractive, magnanimous and open-minded,
flexible and adaptable. The snake sign carries the auspicious meaning
of combating the toughness with gentleness and being indomitable
before setbacks and frustrations. Those born in the year of snake
are somewhat mysterious, romantic and gentle in manner, and adept
in handing affairs. They are gentle in demeanors, wealthy, eloquent,
conceited, sometimes egotistical, and good at securing personal
gains. They are calm and steady, having the will and spirit of carrying
on their work from the beginning to the end. They do not show off
their talents, but encourage themselves secretly to go forward on
their plans. They are naturally strong in perception and awareness,
and good at caring for others. They often have good opportunities
and luck and dream to create brilliant undertakings by their own
force. They act after thinking twice, and know their abilities well.
In love it seems embarrassing to mention and the situation is fluctuating
and variable. 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and
2013 are the year of snake. Horse ranks the seventh. It is regarded as a symbol
of being dynamic and vigorous, faithful and honest, proud and unrestrained,
firm and courageous. The horse sign carries the auspicious meaning
of advancing forward boldly and energetically all the time. Those
bon in the year of horse, are romantic and enthusiastic, eloquent,
frank and easy-going. They are somewhat heroic and often outraged
at injustice to others. They act actively and have the temperament
of refusing to admit inferiority. They are free and frank, have
many friends, and live harmoniously with others. They prefer warmly
caring others, and being open-minded to them. They have many bright
ideas, and have sub-consciousness of refusing failures. In many
ways they have talents and insight, with nimbleness in the mind
and the limbs. In love it should not be urged, and opportunity will
come with good results. 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990,
2002, and 2014 are the year of horse. Sheep ranks eighth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being temperate and good-natured, benevolent and amiable, pure
and gracious, and obedient to the will of heaven. The sheep sign
symbolizes a bumper harvest year and making a fortune through amiability.
Those born in the year of sheep, have initiative spirits, consider
in every aspect before action, and are able to get along very well.
They are sociable and have good relationship with others. They are
gentle and have the spirit of sacrificing themselves for benevolence.
Their characters are gentle externally, but firm internally, and
are trustworthy due to their discreteness. They are sentimental,
dependent, meticulous, scrupulous, energetic and bold. They are
filial throughout their life and take care of children carefully.
They are subjective and stubborn and prefer mysterious atmosphere.
They have strong desire of seeking knowledge, do not spend money
extravagantly, and are often thrifty. They are kind to others and
love nature, and have noble and generous appearance. In love, the
females may achieve as their wishes, but in males, it may be not
so successful, and so the mood should be moderated.1919, 1931, 1943,
1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015 are the year of sheep. Monkey ranks ninth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being free and agile, intelligent and ingenious, combining wisdom
and courage, and attaching importance to friendship. The monkey
sign carries the auspicious meaning of warding off evil spirits
and ensure a happy and harmonious year. Those born in the year of
monkey, are gifted and bright, active, and good at competition,
nimble and chivalrous, quick in reaction and act according to the
situation. They are highly sociable and good in comprehension, easily
merged with others, but dislike to be controlled by others and prefer
fresh things. They are clever, irritable, full of wit, innovative,
good at speaking, and have a strong desire of showing off. They
lack of respect for others some times. They are very fit to be actors
or promotion traders. They have strong desires in pursuing knowledge,
read books of broad subjects, and have a wonderful memory. They
are flexible and creative, and have a strong feeling to their elder
members of the family, but the relation between husband and wife
may be tense or disturbed.1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992,
2004, and 2016 are the year of monkey. Rooster ranks tenth. It is regarded as a symbol
of being valiant and warlike, determined and dauntless, detoxifying
and bringing peace and fortune. The rooster sign symbolizes peace,
contentment, and a harmonious conjugal relation. Those born in the
year of rooster, are fashionable, quick minded, impatient, prefer
make up, sociable. They have broad friends and good in speaking
and convincing in debate. They speak as they think without keeping
secrets. They often challenge the authorities, and prefer luxurious
life. They prefer being praised and praising others. They are active,
brave and interesting. They have strategies. They are diligent,
enthusiastic and generous. In love affairs, the association and
care of the lovers should not be neglected even busy in work. 1921,
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017 are the year
of rooster. Dog ranks eleventh. It is regarded as a symbol
of being alert and smart, sincere and courageous, loyal and duteous,
faithful and self-giving. The dog sign carries the auspicious meaning
of leading a healthy and safe life throughout the year and having
peace and tranquility accompanied. Those born in the year of dog,
are upright and loyal, full of feelings, and work to their best.
They are straightforward, brave, chivalrous, prudent, responsible,
humble, and loyal. They are pure, instinctively, sympathetic, and
frank without any scheming. They are accurate in intuition, prefer
upholding justice, and respected by others. In love affairs, the
love will not easily vary. They would rather suffer themselves than
others, or do something immoral for their own interests. 1922, 1934,
1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are the year of dog. Pig ranks twelfth. It is regarded as a symbol of
unconstrained and modest, unadorned and straightforward, carefree,
and happy-go luck. The boar sign symbolizes living in peace contentment
and having amole food and clothing. Those born in the year of pig
are sincere and upright, a little lazy, serious and have good relationship
with others. They are frank, kind, generous, and openhearted, not
punctilious, and lovely. Their manners are proper and their attitudes
are friendly. They make friends with long-lasting friendship. They
have strong desire of pursing knowledge. They don’t need work hard
to maintain their life. They are tolerant to the sarcasm of others.
Their families are calm and smooth. The love affairs are also very
smooth and successful. 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995,
2007, and 2019 are the year of pig.
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