Animal Signs of Chinese Astrology and the Years They Represent

ANIMAL SIGNS OF CHINESE ASTROLOGY AND THE YEARS THEY REPRESENT

RAT

Years:

1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008.

OX

Years:

1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009.

TIGER

Years:

1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998.

RABBIT

Years:

1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.

DRAGON

Years:

1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000.

SNAKE

Years:

1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001.

HORSE

Years:

1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002.

RAM

Years:

1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003.

MONKEY

Years:

1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004.

ROOSTER

Years:

1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005.

DOG

Years:

1919, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006.

PIG

Years:

1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007.

        

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac - The DOG

Years:

1919, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006.

Hour:

7pm to 9pm  (19:00 to 20:59)

Lucky for:

* happy and safe travel

* romance

* spending time with friends

* making a budget

Keywords:

loyal, protective, fearless, devoted, friendly, unselfish, optimistic, preserving, strong-minded but amiable, persistence, intelligence and know-how, helpful, loyal, caring, resourceful, honest, deep, blessed.

Negative:

anxious, cynical, pessimistic, withdrawn, nervous.

Loves:

Tigers and Horses

Dislikes:

Dragons and Rams

The Dog is known to be loyal, protective and loving, although when need be, they can be fearless and fierce.

Dogs have a tendency to get involved in things without thinking of the consequences of their actions.  They want to bound ahead without hesitating to go over details or plans.  They want instant results, so jump in head first.

Dogs are honest and straight-forward and have a watchful, anticipatory nature.  They most often come across as placid, but they are generally restless underneath.

Dogs make wonderful friends and generally have many in their lives.  They seldom have enemies  -  but when they do, they are formidable foe.

Dogs are demonstrative in showing their affections and do not shy away from a reciprocated display.

Dogs are optimistic to the point of sometimes being over-opimistic, leading to disappointments.

Relationships:

Dogs and Tigers often enjoy passionate affairs and sizzling relationships, but Dogs and Pigs are most suited long-term.

Rats are too nervous for the sociable Dog, and the Ox and Dog would clash to no end.




       

Animals of the Chinese Zodiac - The HORSE

Years:

1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002.

Hour:

11am to 1pm  (11:00 to 12:59)

Lucky for:

* creativity, especially coming up with original ideas

* making fresh starts

* being adventurous

* making new friends, career connections and meeting your soul mate

Keywords:

practical, physically and mentally strong, loyal, steadfast, independence, sociable, team-player, athletic, vitality, energy, intolerance, determination, stealth, winner, lucky, self-reliance, will, vivacious, hard working, independent, sociable, willpower, popular, fun-loving, friendly, enthusiastic, hard-working, enduring.

Negative:

selfish, vain, restless and reckless.

Loves:

Tigers and Dogs

Dislikes:

Rats

People born under the sign of the Horse are sociable, athletic and well-travelled. They have endless vitality and energy and they are able to achieve just about anything they put their minds to.  The Horse is a sign of luck and auspicious fortunes, as he likes to always be the ‘winner’.

The Horse is a loyal and steadfast friend who is willing to step in whenever he is needed, and for whatever reason.  Horses are independent, but also make for excellent team-players, although there is a tendency to want to be team-leader.

The Horse chares forward, focused on the goal ahead, but he fails to go into the finer details of the plan and has a tendency to trip up because of the unforseen hurdles in his path.

When things don’t go according to plan, the Horse will be just as hard on others as he will be on himself.

Horses are as strong physically as they are mentally, and are practical and handy.  Horses though, can develop strong prejudices and can become intolerant and selfish.

The Horse is generally of a strong constitution, and does not fall prone to colds and flus easily.

Relationships:

Horses, once they settle, usually form life-partnerships with the extrovert Tiger or ot-going Dragon.  Horses are not compatible with the methodical Ram nor the restless Monkey.




       

CHINESE ASTROLOGY - The Basic Concepts

Chinese Astrology is concerned with the person as a whole, rather than the West's Astrological system, which deals with mapping possible events of the future.

Some of the earliest recorded documents co-relate to natural events such as floods and droughts.  A flood may occur during an eclipse of the Moon  -  a drought may hit when one or other can be seen in a certain position in the sky.  As more and more events were recorded over the centuries, a vast body of knowledge about the cyclical nature of the Universe was perceived.

Between 1500 and 1100 BC, the sages and philosophers of the time decreed that in a 'perfect world', the known Universe was influenced by recognisable cycles, then by extension, so too was the nature of man.  In their view, everyone would/should live for sixty years, which were divided into the five Transformative Process or Elements:  Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water  -  resulting in twelve earthly 'branches', which would then evolve into twelve years each of which was assigned an animal.  Each animal sign was then divided into lunar months, each of which in turn was ascribed specific attributes.  The twelve year cycle of animals repeats itself continually.

The Chinese system of the Zodiac orbits within its own system of symbols.  The Chinese system connects with astronomical observations at a few key points:  the phases of the Moon and the solar solstices and equinoxes.

This system of symbols is the twelve emblematic animals that correspond to the Twelve Earthly Branches.

The combination of an animal and an Element gives the character of a year and of all the people born in that year, while the birth-hour animal makes the characterization more subtle. (The hour of birth provides another animal that is your 'secret partner' or hidden influence that assists you.)

The primary and most popular use of the animals is to determine compatibility in emotional relationships.

 The Elements and their Influences

METAL

People born with the energies of Metal, tend to be rigid and stubborn and do not give in easily.

Metal people insist on honesty and expect a great deal from their prospective partners.  They are most often known for their remarkable strength, but used negatively they tend to dominate all proceedings.

WATER

Water is an element of compassion and love.  Water people tend to be very creative.  Water makes lovers yielding and easily influenced by their partners.

WOOD

Wood is an element of consideration and kindness.  It encourages generosity, warmth and co-operation.  Wood people strive to view everything from all angles.

FIRE

Fire is a dynamic element that encourages a sense of honour.  On the downside, Fire can have an inflexible and selfish temperament. 

EARTH

Earth is the element of hard work.  They strive to make others see their points of view.  They are particularly patient, but can have a tendency to be stubborn.