Chinese New Year on the Net - Sheng Xiao

Chinese Horoscopes

In Chinese folklore, horoscopes have developed around the annual animal signs, much as they have for the different Zodiac months in the West. Each year is named for one of 12 animal signs, which repeats itself every 12 years: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram (Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (Pig)

Each sign -- or year -- is associated with certain characteristics that are reflected in the essential nature of that animal. Everyone one of these characteristics can be seen from two angles -- positive or negative, just like the yin and yang.

	Rat Positive: Tenacious, hardworking, industrious, shrewd Negative: Manipulative, selfish, overly ambitious, ruthless
	Ox (also referred to as Water Buffalo) Positive: Calm, hardworking, steady, logical Negative: Stubborn, narrow-minded, rigid, demanding
	Tiger Positive: Powerful, passionate, generous, vigorous Negative: Reckless, impatient, obstinate, unpredictable
	Rabbit Positive: Lucky, kind, likable, cautious, artistic, astute Negative: Moody, superficial, opportunistic, self-indulgent
	Dragon Positive: Self-assured, noble, intellectual, passionate, ambitious Negative: Arrogant, tyrannical, dogmatic, violent
	Snake Positive: Wise, creative, shrewd, responsible, purposeful Negative: Loner, distrustful, suffocating, cold
	Horse Positive: Popular, perceptive, talkative, intelligent, open-minded Negative: Fickle, rude, stubborn, arrogant
	Ram (also known as goat) Positive: Righteous, sincere, artistic, creative, generous Negative: Moody, pessimistic, weak-willed, over-sensitive
	Monkey Positive: Motivating, inquisitive, innovative, sociable, dignified, intellectual Negative: Egotistical, vain, reckless, cunning, jealous
	Rooster Positive: Neat, organized, practical, scientific Negative: Overly zealous, puritanical, egotistical, opinionated
	Dog Positive: Honest, loyal, likeable, social, idealistic, affectionate, easy-going Negative: Cynical, lazy, pessimistic, stubborn
	Boar (also known as pig) Positive: Honest, hard-working, loyal, sincere, calm, passionate, intelligent Negative: Gullible, materialistic, lazy, self-indulgent