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