In China, one of the most frequently asked questions when meeting someone is: “What animal are you?”, to know the age of the person we are addressing, because even children know by heart the succession of the twelve animals and are able to calculate the age of any person immediately.
According to the ancient Chinese philosophers, the five fundamental elements of the Universe that combine with the twelve animals and influence their personality are: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Each element reigns for two years, one under the sign of Yang and the other under the sign of Yin, thus establishing a perfect balance.
The 12 Animals:
The Chinese believe that a person’s horoscope influences his or her life by shaping his or her character. Below is a brief explanation of each of the animals in the Chinese horoscope.
THE RAT (1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
Those born under the sign of the Rat are wise people who like to surround themselves with family and friends, whom they help in their daily chores and problems. They are good workers, savers and good managers of their economy.
THE OX (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
Buffaloes or oxen are patient and calm animals that radiate a lot of affection and love and command respect. Great workers, they feel at ease surrounded by order and cleanliness and achieve success thanks to their efforts. For them the most important thing is the family, although they are jealous with their partner.
They love art and music. They do not like to argue, although they do like to be obeyed. Compatible signs: snake, rooster, ox. Incompatible signs: sheep, horse, dragon and dog.
THE TIGER (1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)
People of this sign are very passionate and full of energy. They do not go unnoticed, they are adventurous, independent, witty, impulsive and fun-loving. They are friends for life, although they like to be the leader of the group. In the world of relationships, they are the strongest, sexiest and most seductive, although with excessive behavior.
THE RABBIT (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit have extraordinary human qualities: they are prudent, intelligent, affable, discreet, foresighted, attentive and benevolent. For this reason, the sign of the rabbit is widely accepted by people.
Of moderate and indulgent character, peace-loving and concordant, the rabbit hates war and violence. He likes quiet life, tenderness and harmony. He strives to get along well with others and almost always succeeds because of his human virtues. His great clairvoyance and his ease in delicate situations make him an excellent diplomat and mediator.
THE DRAGON (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Symbol of the Emperor in China, the dragon is imaginative, magnanimous, enterprising, fortunate and powerful. It is full of strength and vitality. It is a real accumulator of energy and if you anger him, he will get so angry that he will lose his temper. It will be difficult to calm him down, as he does not believe in anyone or anyone. They usually give good advice and are lucky both in money and in love. They are very sentimental and fall madly in love. Compatible with the tiger, rooster, horse, sheep and rabbit.
THE SNAKE (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)
Snake people are astute, they know what they want and how to get it. Their conversation is elegant and fluid. They are intense and prudent at the same time. They are jealous and possessive of their family but loyal. They like to spoil their friends and expect a reciprocal attitude from them. If they feel scorned or fail in their attempts, they can be angry for hours, although they are good at keeping their cool and appearing calm in difficult situations.
THE HORSE (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)
Popular, optimistic, full of joy, adventurous, eloquent, impatient, enterprising, enthusiastic about life, great lovers and friends. Their great passion is money and travel. They like to meet new people, different cultures, speak languages and are the soul of parties. Their physical attractiveness and beauty make it easy for them to find love: a trap into which they fall hopelessly.
THE GOAT (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)
Goats are creative, artistic, positive, elegant, feminine, affable, compassionate, tearful, sensitive, dreamy, proud and sad. They do not pursue material wealth and prefer to live from their daydreams. They love family, children, home and being in contact with nature. They are hard workers, although they do not like the pressure of a deadline or a boss.
THE MONKEY (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)
Animal more similar to the human being, is witty, funny, friendly, quick and alert mind, buyer, persuasive, sociable, able to solve any problem however difficult it may be with ease. Their love relationships and relationships with friends are usually conflictive, because they cannot stand not being valued. They enjoy good health, although their excesses in parties, alcohol and drugs could take their toll.
THE ROOSTER (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)
Attractive and seductive, talented and appreciated. They are meticulous, efficient, orderly, good conversationalists, observant, selfish, usurious, pragmatic and very family oriented. In love they are romantic, stubborn and fight for control of their partner. They tend to excel as public relations or as artists. They do not pay much attention to their health.
THE DOG (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)
The dog is a being dedicated to work, honest, reliable, diligent, with a great sense of justice and loyalty. They captivate everyone with their exciting personality, their good humor and their great ability to listen to the problems of others and give good advice. In love they are faithful and loyal, although very jealous when their partner is not at home. Nerves are their biggest health problem.
THE PIG (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983 1995, 2007, 2019)
They are sincere, honest, trusting, polite, affectionate, helpful, brave, determined, with great willpower, without great pretensions or vanity, with their feet on the ground. They are very pleasant and have impeccable taste and manners. In love they are sensual, passionate and patient, but to a point. They are very hard workers, although the lack of attraction for the sport and the apathy will cause their physique to suffer and to put on weight in excess.