The Chinese calendar goes in 12 year cycles that are named after animals in the Chinese Zodiac.
The story is Lord Budhha summoned all the animals, and only 12 came. In their honor, Lord Buddha the named the years after the 12 animals. The order of the years is based on the order of the animals that came to him. After all the 12 years are completed, the cycle is repeated.
Rat came first by hopping on the back of the Ox who carried him across the river, and then jumping off ahead of him.
Animal
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Characteristics
Rat
Very smart and opportunist.
Charming, humorous,honest, meticulous. Easy to get along with, hard working and thrifty.
May be power hungry,
petty or greedy, Bright, sociable and highly ambitious.
Ox
Year of the Ox: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973,
1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Symbolizes: Prosperity through hard
work.
Hard working
Intelligent, self-confident, patient and methodical, helpful and hardworking. Responsible for family and believes in
authority
Might appear rigid and slow. Sometimes too stubborn and traditional.
Tiger
Very ambitious and motivated
Courageous, active, and
self-assured, a natural leader, passionate and independent.
Rebellious and dynamic. A warrior and center of
attention. Quick tempered but considerate. Affectionate but careless.
Symbolizes power, passion and daring.
This fearless and
fiery fighter is revered as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of
a household: fire, thieves and ghosts.
rabbit/Hare
Year of the rabbit: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Creative, smart, and calm
Peace loving, impeccable
manners in the pursuit of a good life, intelligent in business with creative
mind
Sometimes moody and indifferent.
Dragon
Year of the Dragon:: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
High energy, born leader, most powerful of the zodiac
Full of vitality,self assured, bright and
master of success. Magical, shrewd, intuitive, artistic and very lucky. Can forgive you the moment he gets over
his outbursts
Can be
stubborn, irritable and impulsive, can be worldly, hard to get close to. Somewhat proud and quick-tempered. The Dragon personality is always attractive. Takes love and adulation for
granted: they are his just due.
Snake/Serpent
Year of the Snake:: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Very clever and adaptable
Philosophical, wise , calm and understanding, elegant to the point of being ostentatious. Charming
in personality, elegant in dress. Receptive, deep thinker, likes to judge by intuition. Fortunate in wealth through life.
Often fickle
or self-indulgent. Can behave selfishly if crossed, does not communicate well with others. Trusts own vibrations than others' advice.
Horse
Year of the Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Cheerful, picks up quickly, popular
Cheerful, quick-witted and popular. With happy outlook, independent,
subjective and self-centered. Also good at handling wealth.
Talkative. May be hot-tempered, rash and headstrong at times. Will fall in love easily and fall out of love just as easily.
Sheep/Ram
Yea of the Sheepr: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Peaceful and conservative; likes low risk
Intelligent, with mind for business. Good natured and generous. Righteous, sincere, easily taken in by sob stories. Likely to be mild-mannered, even
shy. Fond of children
and animals, close to nature and a general homebody.
Tend to be pessimistic. Can be undisciplined and irresponsible.
May have somewhat antisocial tendencies. Also indecisive and
too passive. Dislikes strict
schedules, cannot take too much discipline or criticism. Apt
to mother or even smother objects of his affections.
Monkey
Year of the Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Full of energy and extremely clever; Fast learner and has
a great memory
Lively, witty, inventive and intelligent, a fast learner with good memory.
Good at problem solving. Unbeatable in talent and wealth.
Can be too clever and become lazy, opportunistic and manipulative.
They also know social skills well but can be selfish and egoistic.
Rooster
Year of the Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
A bit stubborn, but deep thinkers who are capable and talented
Dramatic but a reputable person who works systematically
Hardworking, resourceful, talented and confident. Vivacious, popular socially. Can handle money well.
Tendency to brag insensitively.
Outspoken and loves to attract attention. Can also be critical to the point of brutality.
