Appendix A: The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac

In Chinese cosmology, each calendar year is represented by one of 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Five cycles of the 12 years make up one complete cycle of 60 years. When Chinese men and women reach their 60th birthdays, they usually celebrate with a large banquet because they have completed a full cycle. The order of the 12 animals is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (or Goat), Monkey, Rooster (or Cock), Dog, and Pig (or Boar).

Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
You are imaginative, charming, and truly genuine to the person you love. However, you have a tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. You are also inclined to be somewhat of an opportunist. If you were born under this sign, you should be happy in sales or as a writer, critic, or publicist. Some Rats: Shakespeare, Mozart, Churchill, Washington, Truman Capote.

Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
A born leader, you inspire confidence. You are conservative, methodical, and good with your hands. Guard against being chauvinistic and demanding your own way. The ox would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. Some Oxen: Napoleon, Van Gogh, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Richard Nixon.

Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
You are sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love. However, you have a tendency to get carried away and be stubborn. You would be excellent as a boss, explorer, race car driver, or matador. Some Tigers: Marco Polo, Mary Queen of Scots, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Marilyn Monroe.

Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
You are the kind of person people like to be around -- affectionate, obliging, always pleasant. Being cautious and conservative, you are successful in business but would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. Some Rabbits: Rudolph Nureyev, Confucius, Orson Welles, Einstein.

Dragon: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Full of vitality and enthusiasm, the Dragon is a popular individual, despite the reputation of being foolhardy and a "big mouth" at times. You are intelligent, gifted, and a perfectionist, but these qualities make you unduly demanding on others. You would do well as an artist, priest, or politician. Some Dragons: Joan of Arc, Pearl S. Buck, Freud.

Snake: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep-thinking, and your intuition guides you strongly. Avoid procrastination and your stingy attitude toward money. Keep your sense of humor about life. You would be content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, or fortuneteller. Some Snakes: Darwin, Edgar Allan Poe, Abraham Lincoln.

Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Your capacity for hard work is amazing. You are your own person -- very independent. While intelligent and friendly, you have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Your sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician. Some Horses: Rembrandt, Chopin, Davy Crockett, Teddy Roosevelt.

Goat: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Except for the knack of always getting off on the wrong foot with people, the Goat can be charming company. You are elegant and artistic but the first to complain about things. Put aside your pessimism and worry and try to be less dependent on material comforts. You would be best as an actor, gardener, or beachcomber. Some Goats: Michelangelo, Rudolph Valentino, Mark Twain, Orville Wright.

Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
You are very intelligent and a very clever wit. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. The Monkey must guard against being an opportunist and distrustful of other people. Your sign promises success in any field you try. Some Monkeys: Julius Caesar, da Vinci, Harry S Truman, Elizabeth Taylor.

Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
The Rooster is a hard worker, shrewd, and definite in decision making, often speaking your mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer and a flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. If you were born under this sign, you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier, or world traveler. Some Roosters: Rudyard Kipling, Caruso, Groucho Marx, Peter Ustinov.

Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
The Dog will never let you down. You are honest and faithful to those you love. You are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a fault finder. You would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent. Some Dogs: Socrates, George Gershwin, Benjamin Franklin, Herbert Hoover, David Niven.

Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
You are a splendid companion, an intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are sincere, tolerant, and honest; but by expecting the same from others, you are incredibly naïve. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. The Pig would be best in the arts as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. Some Pigs: Albert Schweitzer, Ernest Hemingway.