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In ancient times, our ancestors counted the years with 10 celestial stems and 12terrestrial branches. Although this was scientific, most people were illiterateand could not memorize or calculate easily. Thus the animals that influencedpeople’s lives were chosen to symbolize the terrestrial branches: the rat, ox,tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.Legend has it that one day the gods ordered that animals be designated as thesigns of each year with the twelve who arrived first selected. At that time, thecat and mouse were good friends and neighbors. When they heard of this news, thecat said to mouse: ‘We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.’The mouse then promised to awaken his friend and to go together. However, on themorning when he got up, he was too excited to recall his promise, and wentdirectly to the gathering place. On the way, the mouse encountered the tiger, ox,horse, and other animals that ran much faster. In order not to fall behind them,he thought up a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on conditionthat he sang for the ox. The ox and mouse arrived first. The ox was happy thinkingthat he would be the first sign of the years, but the mouse had already slid infront, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac. Meanwhile hisneighbor the cat was too late; when it finally arrived, the selections were over.That’s why other animals appear behind the little mouse and why the cat hates miceso much that every time they meet, the cat will chase and kill the mouse.It is also said that this order of the zodiac originated in the Han Dynasty (206 -220) according to the 12 time periods of a day:The first period is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., the time rats actively seek food;The second one is from 1 to 3 a.m., a time that oxen regurgitate;From 3 to 5 a.m. tigers hunt prey and display their fiercest nature;From 5 to 7 a.m., based on tales, the jade rabbit on the moon was busy poundingmedicinal herb with a pestle;From 7 to 9 a.m. dragons were said to hover in the sky to give people rainfall;From 9 to 11 a.m. snakes start to leave their burrows;From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day is flourishing, as vigorous as an unconstrainedhorse;From 1 to 3 p.m. it was said that if sheep ate grass at this time, they would growstronger;From 3 to 5 p.m. monkeys become lively;From 5 to 7 p.m. roosters return to their roost as it is dark;From 7 to 9 p.m. dogs begin to carry out their duty to guard entrances;From 9 to 11 p.m. all is quiet and pigs are sleeping soundly.For a long time there has been a special relationship between humans and the 12zodiacal animals. Humans admired them, took them as totems, and in the artisticfield, those animal signs were among the features of those themes. This can bereflected in artisans’ paper-cut works, New-Year pictures, pottery and bronzewares, especially on the bronze mirrors before the appearance of glass ones, on
 
which elaborate forms showed creativity and passion as well as wishes for a goodlife.Character of Persons under Each SignYear of the Rat –1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032,2044Though in people’s eyes, the rat is not adorable, and even some Chinese sayingsthat related to it have almost derogatory meanings, it ranged as the head of theChinese zodiac. It was recognized as an animal with spirit, wit, alertness,delicacy, flexibility and vitality.People under the rat sign are usually smart and willing to accumulate wealth andto make efforts to be successful. Throughout their lives, there will be many otherpeople who can bring great fortune to them. Thus despite timidity, most of themare happy and harmonious with others.Best match: dragon, monkey, ox; Avoid: sheep, horse, rabbit, roosterYear of the Ox - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033,2045Ranked as the second zodiac, the ox has a large volume. In the life, people oftenused the ox to indicate something big or large in number. The ox is sedulous,simple, honest, and straightforward. Fractious people are said to have an ‘oxentemper’.People born in this year are probably honest, laborious, patient, obstinate, andpoor at communication. Leaders in their career may not discover their abilities.In their old age, they would be bestowed with happiness. Women are usually goodwives who pay attention to children’s education, but are likely to believe others’cajolery, so should be cautious.Best match: rat, snake, rooster; Avoid: dragon, horse, sheep, dog, rabbitYear of the Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022,2034, 2046Tigers, considered to be brave, cruel, forceful and terrifying, are the symbol ofpower and lordliness. In ancient times, people usually compared emperors orgrandees with the tiger. Court officials often said that ‘accompanying the emperoris just like being at the side of a tiger’. There are also many legends on huntingtigers dealing with struggling against evil might.People born in the year of the tiger are tolerant, staunch, valiant, andrespected. In their middle age, their fate may be uneven, but afterwards willenjoy a bright prospect. Their shortcoming is to project themselves before others.But most women under the tiger sign are intelligent, faithful and virtuous.Best match: horse, dog; avoid: snake, monkeyYear of the Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023,2036, 2047The rabbit has represented hope of the Chinese people for a long time. It istender and lovely. The moon goddess Chang’e in Chinese legend had a rabbit as herpet, which stimulated the thought that only the rabbit was amiable enough to match
 
her noble beauty. The Chinese character ‘Tu’ (rabbit) is part of ‘Yi’ (escape orleisure) indicating speed and distance. The Han people have a custom that apregnant woman is not allowed to eat rabbit meat for fear that the child will beborn with a harelip. The newborn is given paintings of children and rabbitsrepresenting that the child will have a peaceful and happy life.People born under the sign of the rabbit are gentle, sensitive, modest, andmerciful and have strong memory. They like to communicate with others in ahumorous manner. They cannot bear dull life, so they are good at creating romanticor interesting spice. But they lack meditative abilities and often sink money intoideas that may cause failures in their career.Best match: sheep, dog, pig; avoid: rat, ox, dragon, rooster, horseYear of the Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024,2036, 2048The dragon enjoys a very high reputation in Chinese culture. It is the token ofauthority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and capacity. In ancient China, a dragonwas thought to speed across the sky with divine power. Emperors entitledthemselves exclusively as ‘dragon’; their thrones were called ‘dragon thrones’,their clothes ‘dragon gowns’.People under the sign of the dragon are lively, energetic and fortunate. Theyoften can be leaders and try to go for perfection. When they meet withdifficulties, they are not discouraged. But they are a little arrogant, andimpatient, and women are over- confident. If they overcome these defects, they canhave a brighter future.Best match: rat, monkey, rooster; avoid: dog, ox, dragon, rabbitYear of the Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025,2037, 2049In the Chinese zodiac, snake is listed after the dragon, but its place and thesignificance as the symbol of worship is far behind the dragon’s. The snakecarries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery, as well as acumen,divination and the ability to distinguish herbs. In some places, people believethat a snake found in their court can bring delight. In Spring Festival, peoplelike to paste onto their doors and windows the paper-cut ‘Fu’ character(happiness), combined with the snake twisting around a rabbit as a popular patternindicating wealth.People born in the year of the snake often have a good temper, a skill ofcommunicating, and a gracious morality, but they are likely to be jealous andsuspicious. They should be cautious about discussion with others, as that mightcause them to lose friendship and opportunities. Women under the sign of the snakedo well in housework but are irritable. They might gradually enjoy happiness intheir old age.Best match: ox, rooster; avoid: tiger, monkey, pigYear of Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038,2050The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos – makingunremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted,intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli
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hemmi1

Thanks - this is one of the best treatises I've seen on the subject.

reply03 / 04 / 2010
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