THE CHINESE ZODIAC

According to an ancient legend a Chinese Emperor invited all the friends of the forest to a New Year party, he was expecting many guests, but only twelve animals came. The rat was first, followed by the ox, and so on. The emperor honored the animals by naming the years after them.

The actual history and date of the origin of Chinese Astrology is not known. Some of the scholars place its origin between 4000 and 2000 BC. I have seen jade artifact evidence that clearly shows that the Hongshan practiced lunar worship and the Zodiac. The Chinese Zodiac consists of a 12-year cycle; each year of the cycle is named after a different animal that gives different and distinct characteristics to its year. Twelve animals were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. These twelve animals came to represent the Chinese zodiac cycle; each presiding over one year in the same orders in which they arrived in the meeting. According to popular Chinese belief, the year of a person's birth is the primary factor in determining that person’s personality traits, physical and mental attributes, abilities and degree of success and happiness throughout his or her lifetime.  -ian (Fung Gen Qua)

Events and occurrences in a given year are influenced by the nature of that year's animal.

SEE BELOW ALL 12 ZODIAC STAMPS AND YOUR ANIMAL YEAR CHARACTERISTICS....

 

The Rat ( 1 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Jan.31,1900 to Feb.19,1901 Feb.18,1912 to Feb.06,1913 Feb.05,1924 to Jan.24,1925 Jan.24,1936 to Feb.10,1937 Feb.10,1948 to Feb.14,1949 Jan.28,1960 to Feb.14,1961 Jan.16,1972 to Feb.02,1973 Feb.02,1984 to Feb.19,1985

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: RAT People are both charming and aggressive. They appear calm and well balanced on the surface, but underneath, they are restless and a little nervous. RAT People are compatible, hard working, and they know how to hang on to a penny. They are never without admirers. They are very appealing. They have a bright and happy personality, and this keeps them busy socially. They love parties and other large gatherings. They like belonging to exclusive clubs and will often have a close circle of fellow conspirators. They like involvement and are very outgoing. RAT People cherish friends and loved ones. For this reason, they often get entangled with others' problems and lives.

The Ox ( 2 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.19,1901 to Feb.07,1902 Feb.06,1913 to Jan.25,1914 Jan.25,1925 to Feb.12,1926 Feb.11,1937 to Jan.30,1938 Jan.29,1949 to Feb.16,1950 Feb.15,1961 to Feb.04,1962 Feb.03,1973 to Jan.22,1974 Feb.20,1985 to Feb.08,1986

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: Ox People may appear docile, but watch out! They also have quite a temper. They are extremely determined and work tirelessly to get what they want. Step by step and piece by piece, they move steadily toward their goals. People born under the sign of the Ox are dependable and stick to a routine until the job is done. They are fair-minded and good listeners, but they can also be extremely stubborn. Because of their trustworthy character, Ox People will often hold positions of authority and responsibility. They always get ahead in the world. They must be careful not to become slaves to their jobs or profession. Ox People can be forceful leaders and eloquent speakers when the occasion arises.

The Tiger ( 3 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.08,1902 to Jan.28,1903 Jan.26,1914 to Feb.13,1915 Feb.13,1926 to Feb.01,1927 Jan.31,1938 to Feb.18,1939 Feb.17,1950 to Feb.05,1951 Feb.05,1962 to Jan.24,1963 Jan.23,1974 to Feb.10,1975 Jan.09,1986 to Jan.28,1987

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: TIGER People are rebels. They are both colorful and unpredictable. Their energy and love of life are stimulating. They love being the center of attention and never go unnoticed. TIGER People are impatient and always look for action. They speak their minds when upset and have suspicious natures. But in spite of their quick tempers, they are sincere, generous and very affectionate. They also possess a great sense of humor. TIGER People like other people, involvement, and dedication to humanitarian causes. They seek out adventures, and at certain points in their lives, they will be very rebellious. They must act out some of their ideals and lash out at the wrongs of society. TIGER People are so daring that they acquire many admirers. Those who disapprove of what Tigers do still will secretly admire Tigers for their actions.

The Rabbit ( 4 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Jan.29,1903 to Feb.15,1904 Feb.14,1915 to Feb.16,1916 Feb.02,1927 to Jan.22,1928 Feb.19,1939 to Feb.07,1940 Feb.06,1951 to Jan.26,1952 Jan.25,1963 to Feb.12,1964 Feb.11,1975 to Jan.30,1976 Jan.29,1987 to Feb.16,1988

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: RABBIT People fall under a most fortunate sign! Their sign is the emblem of long life and they possess the powers of the moon. Hares are very sensitive to beauty. They are gracious and soft spoken. RABBIT People are the diplomats and the peace-makers. They enjoy a tranquil life and love a quiet evening at home. RABBIT People are reserved and very artistic. They are thorough and good scholars. When RABBIT People are moody, which is often, they will appear totally indifferent to the world. RABBIT People are lucky in money matters and great at finding a bargain. They may look easy-going, but they are actually quite cunning! Being a strong-willed person, they go quietly but determinedly towards their goals. They don't like making waves and find other means to get their way.

The Dragon ( 5 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.16,1904 to Feb.03,1905 Feb.03,1916 to Jan.22,1917 Jan.23,1928 to Feb.09,1929 Feb.08,1940 to Jan.26,1941 Jan.27,1952 to Feb.13,1953 Feb.13,1964 to Feb.01,1965 Jan.31,1976 to Feb.17,1977 Feb.17,1988 to Feb.05,1989

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: DRAGON People are balls of fire! They are full of vitality and love of life. Always on the run, they drag their faithful band of admirers behind them. DRAGON People are egotistical, eccentric, demanding, and giving. They are proud, direct, and loaded with high ideals, which they always try to live up to. Having a zeal for life, they want to live it on a grand scale. They have the potential for accomplishing many great things as long as they don't get too far ahead of themselves. When DRAGON People do something, good or bad, you can be certain their deeds do not go unnoticed! Dragons are always making the news. It is next to impossible to win an argument with Dragon people. They intimidate anyone who challenges them. Once you arouse their anger, they keep after you for a very long time. DRAGON People are extremely loyal to friends and family.

The Snake ( 6 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.04,1905 to Jan.24,1906 Jan.23,1917 to Feb.10,1918 Feb.10,1929 to Jan.29,1930 Jan.27,1941 to Feb.14,1942 Feb.14,1953 to Feb.02,1954 Feb.02,1965 to Jan.20,1966 Feb.18,1977 to Feb.06,1978 Feb.06,1989 to Jan.26,1990

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: SNAKE People are romantic and charming. They are deep thinkers and always mysterious. SNAKE People are graceful and soft spoken. They love a good book and appreciate all of the arts. They lean towards all of the finer things in life. SNAKE People trust themselves above all others and are seldom wrong; but behind a sophisticated front, SNAKE People are very superstitious! SNAKE People are good with money and don't have to worry about finances. Somehow, when money is needed, it appears. In spite of their good luck with money, SNAKE People should never gamble. They could suffer big losses if they did, but SNAKE People learn fast. Once they have made a mistake, they never repeat it. They also never forgive you if you break a promise. By nature they are skeptical beings but keep their suspicions to themselves. They are very private and not concerned with the business of others. Idle gossip is not for them. SNAKE People can be possessive in their relationships with others. They are passionate but jealous lovers.

 
The Horse ( 7 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Jan.25,1906 to Feb.12,1907 Feb.11,1918 to Jan.31,1919 Jan.30,1930 to Feb.16,1931 Jan.15,1942 to Feb.04 1943 Feb.03,1954 to Jan.23,1955 Jan.21,1966 to Feb.08,1967 Feb.07,1978 to Jan.27,1979 Jan.27,1990 to Feb.14,1991

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: HORSE People are very appealing people. They are warm and friendly and dearly love social gatherings with plenty of people. They are perceptive and enjoy talking. They have a high-spirited nature and are changeable. This makes them hot-tempered, rash, and headstrong. They are always falling in and out of love. Quick to warm to someone, they are just as quick to lose interest. Here today and gone tomorrow. Then when you decide not to see them again, here they come ready to pick up where they left off! HORSE People are adventurers at heart, but they do have sharp minds and good abilities for managing money. They are self-reliant and energetic. They love exercise, both mental and physical. Their movements are rapid, yet graceful; their speech is quick, yet elegant. HORSE People want things their way and they will become aggressive when all else fails. They value their freedom above all else. They are not possessive or jealous of others. Being moody creatures, HORSE People depend on the feel of things. They possess the ability to improvise while events are in motion and can handle several things at once. HORSE People find it difficult to unwind. They keep strange hours and suffer from insomnia. When they stop, it is usually from exhaustion. It is hard for them to follow a schedule for they have no respect for routine. They need to keep busy but do best when given a free hand.

 
The Sheep/Ram ( 8 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.13,1907 to Feb.01,1908 Feb.01,1919 to Feb.19,1920 Feb.17,1931 to Feb.05,1932 Jan.05,1943 to Jan.24,1944 Jan.24,1955 to Feb.11,1956 Feb.09,1967 to Jan.28,1968 Jan.28,1979 to Feb.15,1980 Feb.15,1991 to Feb.03,1992

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: SHEEP People are the good Samaritans of the Chinese zodiac. They are gentle mannered and on the shy side. Being very sincere they are easily taken by a sob story. Sheep people are compassionate, understanding of others' faults, and quick to forgive. SHEEP People like to set their own hours and will not tolerate too much discipline. They are also very offended if they are criticized. They cannot work well under pressure and must be allowed to do things at their own speed. SHEEP People need somebody to discipline them, though, in order to utilize their talents. They usually find someone to look after and care for them. Good fortune smiles upon the SHEEP People. They benefit from wills and inheritances. Even in the roughest of times, the SHEEP People always acquire the basic needs. SHEEP People get their own way without force or violence. SHEEP People overspend and should avoid dealing with money. They find it hard to be practical and would love a life of luxury and ease. Ugly things will depress SHEEP People. They hate to displease anyone especially their loved ones. They will edge around an issue rather than take a firm stand. Difficulties are a delicate issue with SHEEP People. They are too sensitive and often overreact. Reassure them often.

 

The Monkey ( 9 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.02,1908 to Jan.21,1909 Feb.20,1920 to Feb.07,1921 Feb.06,1932 to Jan.25,1933 Jan.25,1944 to Feb.12,1945 Feb.12,1956 to Jan.30,1957 Jan.30,1968 to Feb.16,1969 Feb.16,1980 to Feb.04,1981 Feb.04,1992 to Jan.22,1993

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: No task is too great for the clever MONKEY People. They master most anything. They have extremely charming manners that draw others. MONKEY People solve difficult problems with ease. They are quick-witted, innovative, and they have total and intense belief in themselves. No one delights in his or her own accomplishments like the MONKEY People. Enjoying themselves immensely, they try anything at least once! MONKEY People are intellectual and their memory is phenomenal. They recall the smallest details of everything they have seen, read, and heard. They must depend on that memory since they have an otherwise untidy mind. MONKEY People are wizards with money. They are original, shrewd, and when they need to, they can fool anyone. There are a hundred and one fantastic schemes they want to try, and you can bet they make some of them work. Even when they take you in, it is hard to be angry with them, or begrudge them anything. They don't care what opinions others have of them. They know they are lucky, and they also know they have the ability to change things when convenience calls. MONKEY People are virtually unsinkable! When the odds are stacked against them, MONKEY People know when to quit. Their timing is superb, and they will wait to try another time. If you try to trick MONKEY People, they will probably catch you. They never make a move without a plan. They are great strategists. They can spot an opportunity in any form. They never miss a trick!

The Rooster ( 10 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Jan.22,1909 to Feb.09,1910 Feb.08,1921 to Jan.27,1922 Jan.26,1933 to Feb.13,1934 Feb.13,1945 to Feb.01,1946 Jan.31,1957 to Feb.17,1958 Feb.17,1969 to Feb.05,1970 Feb.05,1981 to Jan.24,1982 Jan.23,1993 to Feb.09,1994

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: ROOSTER People are the most eccentric of the Chinese zodiac. They are full of dreams and romantic ideas. They are colorful and attractive, radiant and dashing, and they are quite proud of themselves. ROOSTER People are organized, precise, and their sharp eyes seek out fine details in everything. They are perfectionists and leave no room for human error. To ROOSTER People, a difficult task is a challenge. They dearly love starting controversies. ROOSTER People express themselves very well both in writing and speech. They are knowledgeable in most subjects you wish to discuss. When you challenge them you must be prepared for a long fight. Their stamina is amazing and they win their point at all costs. Even when they are wrong, they will still be right in one way or another! ROOSTER People can be blunt and brutal. Their direct approach to life makes them poor diplomats. They speak their minds with little regard for the feelings of others. ROOSTER People are careful with their time and you only deserve so much, so plan things well. Roosters are sincere in their desire to help and no one can carry out important tasks like them.

 
The Dog ( 11 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Feb.10,1910 to Jan.29,1911 Jan.28,1922 to Feb.13,1923 Feb.14,1934 to Feb.03,1935 Feb.02,1946 to Jan.21,1947 Feb.18,1958 to Feb.07,1959 Feb.06,1970 to Jan.26,1971 Jan.25,1982 to Feb.12,1983 Feb.10,1994 to Jan.30,1995

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: DOG People are honest, straightforward, and friendly. They are extremely protective of themselves and their loved ones. With a passion for fair play and justice, they never fail to rescue you time after time. They may rant and rave, but they never rest until they right the wrong. They are true humanitarians and suffer with the world. In spite of their concern for others, social graces and fancy parties do not impress them. Having sharp eyes, they will see through people's motives. DOG People are quite private about their personal lives and someone prying into their affairs makes them secretive and withdrawn. Once you gain their confidence, they open up freely. Once DOG People classify you, they rarely change their minds. There are few in-between. Dogs perceive things either in black or white. You are either friend or enemy. Luckily, they are good judges of character and have superb insight into human nature. DOG People are tolerant of their friends. Before they approve of you, the friendship must develop slowly with a variety of meetings and conversations. If they look you over and decide they can trust you, you remain in their hearts forever. If you need them, DOG People will be there.

 
The Boar/Pig ( 12 of 12)

 

YEAR OF BIRTH Jan.30,1911 to Feb.17,1912 Feb.16,1923 to Feb.04,1924 Feb.04,1935 to Jan.23,1936 Jan.22,1947 to Feb.09,1948 Feb.08,1959 to Jan.27,1960 Jan.27,1971 to Jan.15,1972 Feb.13,1983 to Feb.01,1984 Jan.31,1995 to Feb.18,1996

PEOPLE BORN OF THIS ZODIAC ANIMAL: BOAR People are self-reliant, very sociable, dependable, and extremely determined. BOAR People are peace lovers and don't hold grudges. They hate arguments, tense situations, and try to bring both sides together. In life they make deep and long-lasting friendships. BOAR People enjoy social gatherings of all kinds, and look for parties to attend. In fact, BOAR People must watch themselves so that their incessant pursuit of pleasure doesn't interfere with other aspects of their lives. BOAR People belong to clubs and they make terrific fundraisers. They have a real knack for charity and social work. BOAR People always listen to problems. They won't mind getting involved and try to help. BOAR People have big hearts. A problem that BOAR People have is that they are too innocent and naive. Being honest and trustworthy themselves, they have a hard time understanding the motives of those with fewer scruples. BOAR People do not dazzle or shimmer. They possess the old-fashioned chivalry that grows on you until you totally depend on it. It is so easy to trust BOAR People. They have a calm expression and a sincere manner. They are blessed with endurance and work steadily at tasks with great patience until completion.