The Chinese Zodiac consists of a 12 year cycle, each year of which is named after adifferent animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. According to this legend, the year of a person's birth is the primary factor in determining that person'spersonality traits, physical and mental attributes and degree of success and hapinessthroughout his lifetime.   People born in that year willbecome that animal, taking on its characteristics and identifying with it for their entire lives. <p>The Chinese Calendar begins with 2637 B.C., the year which the legendary Emperor Huangdi supposedlyinvented it. This calendar designates years in cycles of 60. (For example, 2000 is the 17th year in the 78thcycle.^_^ ) The Chinese have adopted the Western calendar since 1911, but the lunarcalendar is still used for festive occasions such  as the Chinese New Year. <p>The animals, in order they appear in the cycle are the rat, ox,tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. <br><center><IMG SRC="rat2.gif" WIDTH=169 HEIGHT=98 BORDER=0>--Rat--I am the self-proclaimed acquisitor                     I am a link yet I function as a complete unit                     I aim at encompassing heights                     And strike my target                     Sure and steady.                     Life is one joyous journey for me.                     Each search must end with a new quest.                     I am progress, exploration and insight.                     I am the womb of activity.                     I am the Rat.People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for               their charm and attraction for the opposite sex.               They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire               possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists.               They are basically thrifty with money. Rat               people are easily angered and love to gossip.               Their ambitions are big, and they are usually               very successful. They are most compatible with               people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey,               and Ox. --Ox--Mine is the stabilizing force                     That perpetuates the cycles of life                     I stand immobile against the                     Test of adversity.                     Resolute and unimpeachable.                     I seek to serve integrity,                     To bear the burdens of righteousness.                     I abide by the laws of nature-                     Patiently pushing the wheel of Fate.                     Thus, I shall weave my destiny.                     I am the Ox.People born in the Year of the Ox are patient,               speak little, and inspire confidence in others.               They tend, however, to be eccentric, and               bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce               tempers and although they speak little, when               they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are               mentally and physically alert. Generally               easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn,               and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are               most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat               people. --Tiger--I am the delightful Paradox.                     All the world is in my stage.                     I set new trails ablaze;                     I seek the unattainable,                     And try the untried.                     I dance to life's music                     In gay abandon.                     Come with me on my carousel rides                     See the myriad colors,                     The flickering lights.                     All hail me the unparalleled performer.                     I am the Tiger.Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep               thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can               be extremely short-tempered, however. Other               people have great respect for them, but               sometimes tiger people come into conflict with               older people or those in authority. sometimes               Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which               can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound               decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious               of others, but they are courageous and powerful.               Tigers are most compatible with Horses,               Dragons, and Dogs. --Rabbit--                     I am in tune with the                     Pulse of the universe                     In my quiet and solitude                     I hear the melodies of the soul.                     I float above commonplace                     Dissent and decay                     I subdue by my ability to conform.                     I color my word                     In delicate pastel hues.                     I epitomize harmony and inner peace.                     I am the Rabbit.People born in the Year of the Rabbit are               articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are               virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste.               Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are               often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip               but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people               seldom lose their temper. They are clever at               business and being conscientious, never back out               of a contract. They would make good gamblers               for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the               right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as               they are conservative and wise. They are most               compatible with those born in the years of the               Sheep, Pig, and Dog. --Dragon--                     I am the unquenchable Fire,                     The center of all energy,                     The stout heroic heart.                      I am truth and light,                     I hold power and glory in my sway.                     My presence                     Disperses dark clouds                     To tame the Fates.                     I am the Dragon.People born in the Year of the Dragon are               healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered,               and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive,               brave, and they inspire confidence and trust.               Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in               the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money               nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be               soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an               advantage over them. They are compatible with               Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters. --Snake--Mine is the wisdom of the ages.                     I hold the key to the mysteries of life.                     Casting my seeds on fertile ground                     I nurture them with constancy and purpose.                     My sights are fixed.                     My gaze unchanging.                     Unyielding, inexorable and deep                     I advance with steady, unslackened gait,                     The solid earth beneath me.                     I am the Snake.People born in the Year of the Snake are deep.               They say little and possess great wisdom. They               never have to worry about money; they are               financially fortunate. Snake people are often               quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they               have tremendous sympathy for others and try to               help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to               overdo, since they have doubts about other               people's judgment and prefer to rely on               themselves. They are determined in whatever               they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the               surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake               people are usually good-looking and sometimes               have martial problems because they are fickle.               They are most compatible with the Ox and               Rooster. --Horse--I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind.                     I impart light, color and perpetual motion.                     I think, I see, I am moved by electric fluidity.                     Constant only in my inconstancy.                     I am unshackled by mundane holds,                     Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals.                     I run unimpeded through virgin paths.                     My spirit unconquered --                     My soul forever free.                     I am the Horse.People born in the Year of the Horse are               popular. They are cheerful, skillful with money,               and perceptive, although they sometimes talk               too much. The are wise, talented, good with               their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for               members of the opposite sex. They are               impatient and hot-blooded about everything               except their daily work. They like entertainment               and large crowds. They are very independent               and rarely listen to advice. They are most               compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep. --Sheep/Goat--I am nature's child.                     I trust and am rewarded by trust.                     Fortune smiles upon my countenance.                     All things blossom                     In the gentleness of my love.                     I strive to find beauty in all I behold.                     I am fair of face                      And full of grace.                     I am the Goat.People born in the Year of Sheep are elegant               and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem               to be, at first glance, better off than those born               in the zodiac's other years. But Sheep year               people are often shy, pessimistic, and puzzled               about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet               timid by nature. Sometimes clumsy in speech,               they are always passionate about what they do               and what they believe in. Sheep people never               have to worry about having the best in life for               their abilities make money for them, and they               are able to enjoy the creature comforts that               they like. Sheep people are wise, gentle, and               compassionate. They are compatible with               Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses. --Monkey--I am the seasoned traveler                     Of the Labyrinth.                     The genius of alacrity,                     Wizard of the impossible.                     My brilliance is yet unmatched                     In its originality.                     My heart's filled with potent magic                     That could cast a hundred spells                     I am put together                     For mine own pleasure.                     I am the Monkey.People born in the Year of the Monkey are the               erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful,               and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and               original and can solve the most difficult               problems with ease. There are few fields in               which Monkey people wouldnāt be successful but               they have a disconcerting habit of being too               agreeable. They want to do things now, and if               they cannot get started immediately, they               become discouraged and sometimes leave their               projects. Although good at making decisions,               they tend to look down on others. Having               common sense, Monkey people have a deep               desire for knowledge and have excellent               memories. Monkey people are strong willed but               their anger cools quickly. They are most               compatible with the Dragon and Rat. --Rooster--I am on hand                     To herald in the day,                     And to announce its exit.                     I thrive by clockwork and precision.                     In my unending quest for perfection                     All things will be restored to their rightful place.                     I am the exacting taskmaster.                     The ever-watchful administrator.                     I seek perfect order in my world.                     I represent unfailing dedication.                     I am the Rooster.People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep               thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be               busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities               and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People               born in the Rooster Year are often a bit               eccentric, and often have rather difficult               relationship with others. They always think they               are right and usually are! They frequently are               loners and though they give the outward               impression of being adventurous, they are timid.               Rooster peopleās emotions like their fortunes,               swing very high to very low. They can be selfish               and too outspoken, but are always interesting               and can be extremely brave. They are most               compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon. --Dog--The martial strains have summoned me                     To hear your sorrows,                     Still your pain.                     I am the protector of Justice;                     Equality--my sole friend.                     My vision never blurred by cowardice,                     My soul never chained.                     Life without honor                     Is life in vain.                     I am the Dog.People born in the Year of the Dog possess the               best traits of human nature. They have a deep               sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other               peopleās confidence because they know how to               keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat               selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They               care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem               to have money. They can be cold emotionally               and sometimes distant at parties. They can find               fault with many things and are noted for their               sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders.               They are compatible with those born in the               Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. --Pig--Of all God's Children                     I have the purest heart.                     With innocence and faith,                     I walk in Love's protective light.                     By giving of myself freely                     I am richer and twice blest.                     Bonded to all mankind by common fellowship,                     My goodwill is universal                     And knows no bounds.                     I am the Boar.People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous               and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all               their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no               left or right and there is no retreat. They have               tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They               donāt make many friends but they make them               for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is               fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They               donāt talk much but have a great thirst for               knowledge. They study a great deal and are               generally well informed. Boar people are quick               tempered, yet they hate arguments and               quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No               matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar               people try to work them out, honestly if               sometimes impulsively. They are most               compatible with Rabbits and Sheep. Find your Chinese Sign:           dk.orange  Rat                  1900                      1912                         1924                             1936                                1948                                    1960                                        1972                                           1984                                               1996          blue Ox                  1901                      1913                         1925                             1937                                1949                                    1961                                        1973                                           1985                                               1997          gray  Tiger                  1902                      1914                         1926                             1938                                1950                                    1962                                        1974                                           1986                                               1998          green  Rabbit                  1903                      1915                         1927                             1939                                1951                                    1963                                        1975                                           1987                                               1999           black Dragon                  1904                      1916                         1928                             1940                                1952                                    1964                                        1976                                           1988                                               2000          ornage  Snake                  1905                      1917                         1929                             1941                                1953                                    1965                                        1977                                           1989                                               2001          purple  Horse                  1906                      1918                         1930                             1942                                1954                                    1966                                        1978                                           1990                                               2002          brown  Goat                  1907                      1919                         1931                             1943                                1955                                    1967                                        1979                                           1991                                               2003          brown-gray-grene  Monkey                  1908                      1920                         1932                             1944                                1956                                    1968                                        1980                                           1992                                               2004          yellow  Rooster                  1909                      1921                         1933                             1945                                1957                                    1969                                        1981                                           1993                                               2005         red  Dog                  1910                      1922                         1934                             1946                                1958                                    1970                                        1982                                           1994                                               2006   cyan Pig                  1911                      1923                         1935                             1947                                1959                                    1971                                        1983                                           1995                                               2007 *Please note: The Chinese year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those of    you born in January and February please take care when determining your sign. We          recommend using our Chinese Sign Finder for the most accuracy.