Chinese Zodiac Signs

The Chinese zodiac encompasses a twelve-year cycle that runs on the lunar calendar. Unlike its Western counterpart, the symbols in the Chinese zodiac are basically represented by twelve animals. Each animal is then associated with the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Most Chinese astrologers believe that an individual's destiny is determined by the position of planets, sun, moon, and the comets when he or she is born. The animal signs also represent the person's qualities and characteristics.

Here are the twelve signs and their personalities:

1. Rat- Disciplined, hardworking, systematic, charming, shrewd, social, critical, and eloquent.
2. Ox- Calm, patient, conventional steady, modest, logical, tenacious, and dependable.
3. Tiger- Restless, impatient, colorful, rebellious, powerful, and vigorous.
4. Rabbit- Kind, soft spoken, amiable, elegant, and reserved.
5. Dragon- Strong, proud, noble, loyal, pioneering, decisive, and tyrannical.
6. Snake- Wise, creative, shrewd, elegant, calm, constant, mendacious, and loner.
7. Horse- Cheerful, earthy, talkative, agile, astute, flexible, and open minded.
8. Sheep- Sincere, shy, innovative, understanding, righteous, polite, dignified, and objective.
9. Monkey- Inventor, factual, intellectual, vain, inquisitive, and sociable.
10. Rooster- Neat, organized, alert, zealous, practical, and responsible.
11. Dog- Honest, loyal, attractive, idealistic, open minded. and lazy.
12. Pig- Simple, gallant, sturdy, loyal, calm, patient, passionate, and peace loving.