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The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, in the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. The Chinese have adopted the Western calendar since 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions such as the Chinese New Year.

Every year is assigned an animal name or "sign" according to a repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. Therefore, every twelve years the same animal name or "sign" would reappear. So what does your sign say about you...

The Rat.

1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

As you would expect the Rat is the charmer of the Chinese Zodiac. It is also the sign of the entrepreneur since they are intelligent, full of integrity and perhaps a little manipulative as well. They are very generous souls prone to giving a little too much of their heart and their wealth. Other sign compatibility. A Rat should seek to avoid the Horse since they are not overly compatible. Friendships made with Dogs, Pigs, Snakes and Tigers are the most successfull. Romance would be most likely to flourish with a Monkey, Dragon or an Ox.

The Ox.

1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

The Ox is the laid back sign of the Chinese Zodiac. Usually very placid folk, but they are also very supportive. They are sensible thinkers able to set their sights on a goal and work for as long as it takes to acheive it. They are not the sort of people to be pushed into a decision, or to try something without giving it due consideration. Other sign compatibility. The Ox would not get on as well with a Goat, a Horse or a Dog since there is a little too much contrast. Dragons, Rabbits, Monkeys, Pigs make the best choices as friends and Oxen are likely to get on well with others of the same sign as well. In love, an Ox is most likely to fare well when paired with a Snake, Rooster or Rat.

The Tiger.

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

The eccentric loners of the Chinese Zodiac, Tigers will often seek time to themselves to follow their own path. They crave excitement and would never be considered "one of the gang". They need freedom and room to move if they are to be truly happy. All this said, they do still enjoy the company of their friends and are usually quite popular people. Other sign compatibility. The Monkey and Snake are very likely to rub the Tiger up the wrong way, something certainly to be avoided. Their friends, the Rat, Ox, Rooster, Pig and Goat are very likely to make up for this anyway. If a Dog, Horse or Dragon should become Tiger's partner in love, it would be a very good match indeed.

The Rabbit.

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

As far as the outside world can tell, the Rabbit appears to be confident and charming. Underneath however, he is a little prone to down days and would avoid a fight at all costs. This sign perfers a life of comfort that lives up to their perfectionist standards. They like to keep very much to their own and may be a little suspicious of those they do not know well. Other sign compatibility. The Rabbit isn't about to fall for the Rat's tricks or the Rooster's flamboyance. It would get on very well with the Horse, Tiger, Ox and Snake however. No-one quite appeals to a Rabbit as much as another Rabbit does, except perhaps when it comes to love. Then the Rabbit will bestow all that attention and adoration happily on a Pig, Dog or Goat.

The Dragon.

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

This is the lucky sign of the Chinese Zodiac. They are usually robust people, ready to live life to its fullest. They throw themselves in headlong and are able to make a reasonable go of any task set before them. Whilst they will always attempt to do the right thing, there is a side of them that can't resist leading them in the opposite direction altogether. The are a sign that would like to get somewhere in life and have a pretty good chance of getting there too. Other sign compatibility. Oxen, Dogs and Rabbits are likely to be a little too boring for the Dragon to be happy around. They are also not too keen on other Dragon's. Tigers, Goats and Pig's will make great friends for the Tiger while love is most likely to be found with a Rat, Monkey, Snake or Rooster.

The Snake.

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

Snakes are the wise and philosophical members of the Chinese Zodiac. They care deeply about how they present themselves and are great persuaders. They enjoy the company of their friends and getting out on the town. Because they would prefer not to do actual labour, they will educate themselves to ensure their career isn't a menial one. Other sign compatibility. The Pig and the Tiger are likely to be poles apart from the Snake. Rats, Dragons, Horses, Rabbits, Goats, Dogs and other Snakes will all make wonderfully attentive friends. When it comes to the success of a relationship, the Rooster and the Ox would make the best partners in love for the Snake.

The Horse.

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

A very passionate sign, one that does before it thinks and puts fun and flirtation ahead of thought and consideration. They are impetuous and do not appreciate having to wait for anything and will occassionally push their luck with those around them because they simply do not realise how far they have gone. They are great people to be around since they will keep you laughing and entertained. Other sign compatibility. The Rat, Ox and Rabbit are likely to be far too boring for the effervescent Horse. When it comes to friends, a Horse is likely to be found socialising with Roosters, Pigs, Snakes, Monkeys and Dragons. Romance is most likely to be found when a Horse is paired with a Tiger, Goat or Dog, all of whom will find the Horse's antics enchanting.

The Goat.

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

The Artiste of the Chinese Zodiac, Goats appear quiet and thoughtful but are far more intelligent than they are often given credit for. They are talented folk likely to excel in some form of the arts. They like to dress well and are often trendsetters. Underneath this Bohemian exterior lurks a good deal unsureness that can lead to periods of sadness that others probably never suspect. Other sign compatibility. The Ox will bore the Goat and the Rat and Dog will simply rub the Goat up the wrong way. Every other sign is likely to find the Goat fascinating and provide great friendship. But love is most likely to blossom between the Goat and a Rabbit, Pig or the outgoing Horse.

The Monkey.

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

Prone to being a little too self assured for their own good, the Monkey is the most likely sign to have a problem ego. That said, a good deal of that self appreciation is warranted. They are witty, highly intelligent, able to wrap anyone around their little finger. They are not above a little deception if it will help them get their way. Other sign compatibility. The Tiger and Snake are likely to be too much for the Monkey, but but he will find friends instead among Rabbits, Goats and Dogs. Love is most likely to flourish when it is between the Monkey and a Dragon or Rat.

The Rooster.

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

This is a sign of great outspokeness. You will never be wondering what a Rooster is thinking, because they will probably have told you before you get the chance. They are full of drama and will often make mountains out of molehills. It is not all bad however, they are passionate, loyal and forgiving lovers and you will certainly never be lonely around a rooster. Other sign compatibility. The Rabbit, Dog and Rat will all irritate the Rooster quite badly, but not anything like as badly as another Rooster will. However within a Roosters social group you are very likely to find Tigers, Horses, Monkeys, Goats and pigs. But love is most likely to bloom between the Rooster and a Dragon, Snake or an Ox.

The Dog.

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

As you would probably expect, the Dog is the loyal sign of the Chinese Zodiac. If you are in need of protection and someone who will not let you down, then a Dog is just who you need. They are great company and do well in groups, although they can be a little nervous at times. This is the sign of devotion so a Dog certainly makes a wonderful partner in life. Other sign compatibility. As much as you would expect a dog to be friends with everyone, in this case you can count the Goat, Ox and Rooster out. Those you can count in on the friendship stakes would include the Rats, Monkeys, Snakes and Pigs. Dogs also tend to get on very well with other Dogs as well.The Horse, Rabbit or Tiger will do well in the love stakes.

The Pig.

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

It may not be the most romantically named sign of the Chinese Zodiac, but if you were to fix the image of a cute little Pig named Babe in your mind, then you are coming close to the personality of the Pig. They are honest, sweet, a little gullible perhaps, caring and basically an all round nice person. They are usually quite successfull people, despite being a little shy and needing a little emotional boost from those that care for them. Other sign compatibility. Few of those that meet a Pig are unlikely to like them, but the Monkey might prove a bit much for the Pig and the Rat is just too likely to take advantage. It would be true to say that a Pig would find a friend with any other sign, but they will be most compatible in love with the Goat or the Rabbit.

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