The Rat 

Year of Birth: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984 and 1996.

The charm of the Rat personally is as universally known as loved as the Walt Disney character Mickey Mouse. Remarkably easy to get along with, hardworking and thrifty. He will be generous only to those, whom he is inordinately fond of. So, if you get an expensive gift from him, you should certainly Rate yourself high in his esteem. On the surface, a Rat person may appear reserved, but, this is not so. He is never as quiet as he may look. The Rat person is usually a bright happy and sociable personality. The Rat really cherishes his friends, associates and family relations.

Famous Rats: William Shakespeare, Yves St. Laurent, Pope John Paul, Karim Agha Khan and Prince Charles.

The Ox

Year of Birth: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 and 1997.

The Ox or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. A person born during this year will be dependable, calm and methodical. A patient and tireless worker, he sticks to routine and conventions. Beneath, his somewhat modest but neat appearance, the Ox shields a resolute and logical mind. He walks with his head held high. A person born under this particular sign is systematic. He is the uncluttered mind. You can rely on his promises once he gives his word and he will stick by it. The Ox can be terribly naïve, about affairs of the heart. It takes time to develop intimate relationships. They are slow to warm up and reveal their true feelings. But, if you marry him and place your trust, squarely on his shoulders, he will never disappoint you.

Famous Oxen: Jawaharlal Nehru, Richard Nixon, Adolf Hitler, Walt Disney, and Margaret Thatcher.

The Tiger

 Year of Birth: 1914, 1926, 1938,1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998.

In the east, the Tiger symbolizes power, passion and daring. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered as the sign that wards of the three main disasters of a household – fire, thieves and ghost. Restless and reckless by nature, the Tiger is usually impatiently geared for action. However, because of his suspicious nature, he is prone to waver or make hasty decisions, but, just as he is quick tempered, he is equally sincere, affectionate and generous. What’s more, he has a marvelous sense of humor. He loves baby animals, jazz and anything that can catch his imagination and attention for the span of the moment.

Famous Tiger’s: Groucho Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Charles De Gaulle and Queen Elizabeth.

The Rabbit

Year of Birth: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 and 1999.

The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness and sensitivity to beauty. His soft speech and graceful and humble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diploma of a seasoned politician. He is reserved and artistic and possesses good judgement. His thoroughness will also make him a good scholar. He will shine in the fields of law, politics and government. But, he is also inclined to be moody. The Rabbit is extremely lucky in business and monetary transactions.

Famous Rabbits: David Rockefeller, Fidel Castro, Joseph Stalin, Ingrid Bergman and Albert Einstein.

The Dragon

Year of Birth: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000.

The Dragon person is magnanimous and full of vitality and strength. In China, the Dragon symbolizes the emperor or the male. It represents power, those born in the Dragon year are said to wear the horns of destiny. The Dragon is a veritable storage of energy. The Chinese call him the guardian of wealth and power. Certainly, a prosperous sign to belong, but, then again, the Dragon is a sign most prone to megalomania.

Famous Dragons: St. Joan of Arc, Che Guevara, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra and Yehudi Menuhin.

The Snake

Year of Birth: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001.

Philosopher, theologian political wizard, wily financer – the Snake person is the deepest thinker and enigma of the Chinese cycle. He is endowed with an inborn wisdom of his very own right. Graceful and soft-spoken, he loves books, food, music, the theater; he will gravitate towards all the inner things in life. Elegant in speech, dress and manners, the Snake person does not like indulging in useless small talk or frivolities. He can be quite generous with money, but is known to be ruthless when he wants to attain an important objective.

Famous Snakes: Indira Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Mao Tse Tung, John F. Kennedy and Abdul Nasser.

The Horse

Year of Birth: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990 and 2002.

A person born in this year is said to be cheerful, popular and quick witted. He has raw sex appeal than straight good looks. The unpredictable Horse will fall in love easily and fall out of love, just as easily. An adventurer and heart, still he is noted for his keen mind and ability to manage money. Self reliant, vivacious, energetic, impetuous and even brash, the Horse is a showy dresser, partial to bright colors and striking designs, to the point of being gaudy on occasion. The Horse loves exercise – both mental & physical. The native of the sign is often called the playboy or playgirl of the cycle. He is just as skillful in business and love.

Famous Horses: Barbara Streisand, Chris Evert, F. D. Roosevelt, Rembrandt and Nikita Khrushchev.

The Sheep

Year of Birth: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991 and 2003.

This is the most feminine sign of the Chinese zodiac. A person of the Sheep year is called “The Good Samaritan” of the cycle. He is righteous, sincere and easily taken in by sob stories. He is artistic, fashionable and a creative worker. The Sheep is known for his gentle and compassionate ways. He can easily forgive and be understanding about other faults. He dislikes strict schedules and cannot take too much discipline or criticism.

Famous Sheep: Mohd. Ali, The Shah of Iran, Barbara Walters, Billy Jean King and King George IV.

The Monkey

Year of Birth: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004.

The Monkey is the sign of inventor, the improviser and the motivator in the Chinese zodiac. He is clever, flexible and innovative. He can master anything under the Sun and usually has the aptitude for being a good linguist. The Monkey person will be successful at whatever he chooses to do. No challenge will be too great for him. On the negative side, he has an inborn superiority complex.

Famous Monkeys: Edward Kennedy, Walter Matthau, Nelson Rockefeller, Mick Jagger and Duchess of Windsor.

The Rooster

Year of Birth: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957,1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005.

The Rooster born especially the men will be attractive, even dashingly handsome. He is sharp, neat, precise, organized, decisive upright, alert and the most direct. He can also be critical to the point of brutality. He loves to argue and debate showing how knowledgeable and smart he is, sometimes, with regard to the feelings of others. Gay, witty, amusing and magnificent. The Rooster will never pass up an opportunity to recount his adventures and enumerate his accomplishments.

Famous Roosters: Prince Philip, Elia Kazan, Peter Ustinov, Elton John and Pope Paul VI.

The Dog

Year of Birth: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006.

This may be the most likeable sign of all in the Chinese cycle. A person born in the year of Dog is honest, intelligent and straightforward. He has a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice and fair play. If you have a forthright Dog for a friend, you must know that, when you are in trouble, all you have to do is, dial D-O-G for no matter, how much he or she complains, scolds or feigns. In difference, the Dog person cannot ignore a real call for help.

Famous Dogs: Pierre Cardin, Charles Bronson, Sir Winston Churchill, Elvis Presley and Chou en lai.

The Boar

Year of Birth: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007.

This is the sign of honesty, simplicity and great fortitude. Gallant, sturdy and courageous, a person born in this year will apply himself to an allotted task with all his strength and you can rely on him to see it through. Outwardly, he may appear rough, hewn and jovial, but scratch the surface and you will find pure gold. The Boar is bound to be one of the most natural people you could come across. He will never hit you below the belt. No doubt, he will not carry grudges unless you give him no choice. He doesn’t like to add fuel to fire in the confrontation and will usually let bygones be bygones.

Famous Boars: Julie Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock and Chian Kau Shek.