CHINESE ASTROLOGY

Find your Chinese Sign

Rat	1900	1912	1924	1936	1948	1960	1972	1984	1996
Ox	1901	1913	1925	1937	1949	1961	1973	1985	1997
Tiger	1902	1914	1926	1938	1950	1962	1974	1986	1998
Rabbit	1903	1915	1927	1939	1951	1963	1975	1987	1999
Dragon	1904	1916	1928	1940	1952	1964	1976	1988	2000
Snake	1905	1917	1929	1941	1953	1965	1977	1989	2001
Horse	1906	1918	1930	1942	1954	1966	1978	1990	2002
Goat	1907	1919	1931	1943	1955	1967	1979	1991	2003
Monkey	1908	1920	1932	1944	1956	1968	1980	1992	2004
Rooster	1909	1921	1933	1945	1957	1969	1981	1993	2005
Dog	1910	1922	1934	1946	1958	1970	1982	1994	2006
Pig	1911	1923	1935	1947	1959	1971	1983	1995	2007

Ancient Chinese astrologers favored a 60-year cycle, a tendency common to both Eastern and Western astrology. In this cycle, each 60-year span is a third of the "Great Solar Cycle" of 180 years. It is also equivalent to the number of years it takes to assign each of the five Chinese Elements to one of the twelve animal signs (5 x 12 = 60).

As such, the Chinese Elements add an extra layer of meaning to each of the animal signs. Whether it's reinforcing a stern disposition or mellowing a happy-go-lucky mood, the Elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth serve to put our basic "animal" characteristics in a sharper light.

WATER: Those influenced by Water are as fluid as this Element indicates. Creative and easy-going, the aquatic ones are both artistic and engaging and flow from one idea to the next. These water babies are also compassionate and understanding, making them the touchy-feely folks at every party. Give 'em a hug, please!

FIRE: Those influenced by Fire are highly-charged -- even combustible at times! Hot tamales to the core, these dynamic individuals can see straight to the heart of an issue and make it work for them. Call them single-minded, but they refuse to be swayed from a cause they believe to be important. Are temperatures rising? Someone pretty fired-up must be in the room!

METAL: Those influenced by Metal are strong and virtuous -- albeit a bit set in their ways. No arm-wrestling with the metallic ones, either; they might break that appendage in two! Shiny metal folk can be stern taskmasters as well, demanding the most from themselves and those they love. That reflected glow can be dangerous, indeed!

EARTH: Those influenced by Earth are the worker bees of the Elemental procession. No task is too onerous, or too small, for earthlings. What matters is that the end goal is the right one, and with the prize in sight, Earth folk can slave away forever. Those graced by this element are inwardly focused as well, wanting to make themselves the very best person they can be. Patience is their strong suit, although this can deteriorate into brute stubbornness on occasion.

WOOD: Those influenced by Wood are solid as a rock. No -- make that wood. Thinking of others before themselves makes these people the backbone of any business or social group, leading by example along the way. If you need someone to argue your point of view, enlist a Wood Person. Warm and generous, these Wooden wonders also know that to go along is to get along. Are Woodies witty? If they get their way!