Western and Eastern astrologies both have twelve signs, but the Chinese signs do not mirror those of the Western zodiac. The Chinese calendar is a lunar calendar, based on the moon's cycle, and the signs change yearly, each with its own definitive characteristics and traits.

Rat

Year of the Rat = 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008

Personality

You are intelligent, quick to spot the potential in a situation and skilled at putting your ideas into effect. You can be strong willed and ambitious but be careful not to force your ideas on others; a little consideration will prevent you irritating or alienating friends and colleagues. In up and coming projects running you can appear to be selfish or stubborn, but you believe in what you are doing and approach it whole-heartedly. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel that you are not being appreciated, a more petty or critical side may emerge. It's important for you to feel secure and you react anxiously when your position is threatened. Your want and need to be understood, but others would be wise not to push you since those born in the Year of the Rat jealously guard their privacy.

Love

Your a passionate and attentive partner and are not afraid of revealing the depths of your feelings. You are full of highly charged emotions, particularly at the start of a relationship and need to be part of your partner's plans and also share their thoughts. You want to be part of your partners plans and also share their thoughts, but are easily hurt if you feel your partner has left you out in the cold, and in response you can be petty and difficult to handle. Your likely to pass through many highs and lows in your relationships, which does make them rather fragile. You know how to charm, and though romantic game-playing is not your strong point, you also know how to deal with it. It will take time, but when you find someone who gives you the security and love you need, you will be a faithful partner.

Ox

Year of the Ox = 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009

Personality

You have a quiet and steady nature and are perseverant even in the most trying circumstances, because once you have made a commitment you keep your word. You need peace and quiet to work through your ideas, and when something on your mind is set it is hard to be convinced otherwise. But sometimes you are so set in your opinions that it does predjudice your actions. Underneath your calm exterior you can be as stubborn and hot-headed as an ox if pushed against your will or forced to change your position. You are then needed to be left alone to regain composure, and others are advised to keep clear during this time. You are not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt and making a serious risk makes you nervous and cause many sleepless nights. Your well liked because of your honesty and patience, and close friends appreciate the fact that you are rather introvertedand wary of new trends, although now and then you can be encouraged to try something new. When you are secure in your environment your sociable and relaxed, but occasionally dark cloud looms over you and make you take on a world of worry over problems you see and trying to find solutions.

Love

Your gentle and open with the right partner, and will thrive on strong love and support. But in your search for a compatible relationship you have to tread cautiously since you are easily hurt. Not driven by romance, you have to be qersuaded to accept invitations, to experiment with your appearance and to be more adventurous in general. Although there may be times when you misinterpret light hearted remarks or fail to see the humour in a situation, with a little encouragement and reassurance you will find that you are able to throw off your worries and you can begin to enjoy yourself. Your ideal partner also has the enthusiasm to intorduce you to new interests but at the same time will not take risks that threaten your security. You can tolerate weaknesses in your partner, and when there are emotional upheavals you will consider whether the blame lies with you; however, you do find it hard to forgive if you have been decieved.

Tiger

Year of the Tiger = 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010

Personality

You enjoy life and are excited by new challenges, unusual places, and unexpected events. Your positive attitude is attractive to others, and your enthusiasm and will to succeed easily draw a following. Your determination is not always enough to see you through and you do not like to lose face or be seen to fail; more than likely you will find a new challenge and start over again. Simply being told that something is exciting is usually not sufficient and require first-hand experience. You have a generous nature and involve friends in your plans, but if threatened you are likely to withdraw and you can be aggressive when trapped. Once you have regained your sense of security your confidence also returns, enabling you to set out on your adventures once more. you trust your instincts, but occasionally you will be hurt along the way by putting your trust too firmly in the wrong person, yet at other times you can be too critical or suspicious. You are an exciting courageous and generous friend, but if you do not achieve what you want you can also abe obstinate and self-centered. Inevitably there will be highs and lows in your friendships, but deep down your loyalty remains firm.

Love

Your enthusiasm for life spills over into your relationships, and it is not unusual for you to flit from one partnership into another, inspired by each one. Your excited by the possibilities that each relationship presents and are carried along by the first rush of romance, but eventually, when boredom or predictability sets in, you will be off in search of a new partnership. People with an independent character attract you; although they may be stimulated by your company and admire your energy, they can still manage without you. Your not afraid to declare your feelings and are honest with your emotions, but you are also changeable. You need a partner who remains steady and constant, and quietly pursues their own plans.

Rabbit

Year of the Rabbit = 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011

Personality

You have a tranquil nature and are sensitive to the world around you and cnnot thrive in a competitive or aggressive environment, and you soon beome anxious if you are forced to take risks. Your balanced emotions are easily destabilized by unsettled or unpredictable situations, and you instinctively want to create a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere which in fact, makes you a very hospital host, attentive to the needs of others, ensuring that they do not feel isolated or neglected. Your aware that small details are important in creating the right ambience and once your certain that everything is arranged to your satisfaction you can then relax - and you make charming, elegant and intelligent company. You have a good imagination and intellect combined with an openness and generosity that enables you to turn enemies into friends. Your approach to life is not threatening or disruptive, and the only time that you are really obstinate is when you feel you have been pushed beyond your capabilities. When faced with a dilemma, or if just feeling low, you tend to keep your thoughts well hidden in the belief that it's not appropriate for you to make demands or force your opinions on others. You have no desire to be in the limelight; you shy away from confrontations or complications and if there is an escape route your will quickly take it. This does not imply that you are frivolous or irresponisble, for when you truly believe in something you are serious, perseverant and capable.

Love

You need trust, security and tenderness in a relationship, and are happiest when you can create an intimate and cosy atmosphere. You are unlikely to go in search of emotional thrills and do not thrive on romantic upheavels, so when a partner's behaviour becomes erratic or hurtful you withdraw into your shell. There are times when you are confident in love, but an unpredictable action or careless remark can suddenly place serious doubts in your mind. When you have found the right partner the affection that you offer will be returned, and you will prove to be both sympathetic and forgiving, far more likely to listen to someone else's problems than to reveal your own. You are happy sharing artistic interests, informal dinners and stimulating conversations. It will take time to find the soul-mate you are searching for and along the way you may appear fickle, but when you have found that person your commitment is powerful.

Dragon

Year of the Dragon = 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1998 2000 2012

Personality

You have natural charisma and it is unlikely that you would fade into the bacground or escape unnoticed at a party. You are lively company, interested in the world around you and excited by new possibilities. You have great energy and self-confidence and know how to create and impression. It is true that you are sure of yourself and enjoy being the centre of attention, but you also have a brave and charitable side to your character. If a friend is faced with a problem or dilemma you will be there to offer help, and when others might withdraw you will step forward to help resolve the situation with authority and dignity. You demand high standards of yourself and are surprised when others cannot keep up with you; in your drive to complete the task you fail to see their weaknesses. You are decisive and frank, capable and also lucky as well as being blessed with good forune. You can be quick-tempered and obstinate, and sometimes too outspoken, but there is usually good advice in your criticisms or suggestions. You believe that you are acting with good intentions and are confident of a positive outcome, and more often than not events work out as you had hoped.

Love

Your presence is impressive and it is not unusual for you to have a string of admirers who are drawn by your charisma. You are attractive and know how to charm, so before long your parner will be under your spell. It is easy for you to find romance but hard for you to settle down - numerous love affairs are not uncommon for those born of the dragon. You do not set out to conquer someone romantically and then leave them for a new challenge, it is just that you are disappointed when you uncover weaknesses. You are frustrated by emotional over-dependence or indecision, and will eventually set off in search of a new and exciting romance. At one level is a game, and you rarely yearn for the past or harbour regrets. The same cannot be said for your ex-lovers who may carry a torch for you long after the romance is over. You need someone who gives you the space to express yourself - to impress and to perform - someone who plays an active role but yet is not threatened by your exuberance.

Snake

Year of the Snake = 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013

Personality

You are decisive and active, stimulated by thoughtful debate and interesting conversation, although if the conversation becomes repetitive your attention soon wanders. It is unlikely that you will tolerate idle chatter for long, preferring instead to focus on new ideas and intelligent discussion. When you find a particular topic stimulating, you often make unusual and challenging contributions. You are a good judge of situations and are alert to new possibilites, so when you have idea you pursue it persistently and energetically. You are often so confident of success that you fail to listen to constructive advice, but what really disturbs you is the thought of actually being proved wrong. Although you do not easily take advice you are patient with others when they need your help, and ability to look at a problem from a variety of angles is appreciated. When faced with dilemma you are cool and reserved, and it's this clarity of vision that enables you to act decisively. Once commited to a task, you act with speed and conviction since you believe intensely in what you are doing and rarely waste any time or energy on projects lacking in good potential. However, your life is not all work and competition, and when the opportunity arises you know how to wind down and relax. You make trusting and long term friendships and are a protective and caring friend. Your anger, however, can be quickly aroused, and you will soon retaliate if you think someone has taken advantage of your trust or has hurt those close to you.

Love

You have seductive nature, and when you have resolved to woo someone you plan your moves carefully and do not abandon your quest lightly. You are a humorous and romantic partner who jealously guards important relationships; even if you wander off to flirt with others, you are determined not to lose what you already have. You like the attention and affection that romance offers but do not want to feel trapped, and you also enjoy discovering new friendships, although this may create tensions for the partner left behind. Ideally you want a partner to give you freedom, but you also like the security of sharing intimate moments in relaxed and cosy surroundings.

Horse

Year of the Horse = 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014

Personality

You are independent and confident and usually have a welcoming smile for both old friends and new acquaintances. You thrive in lively company, and besides being a gregarious companion you are an eloquent and inspiring speaker. You like being recognized for your skills and are easily flattered, but you also have an honesty and genuine warmth which attracts many friends. People confide in you because of your interest in their thoughts and feelings, but you are so excited by new discoveries that you find it hard to keep a secret. In your eagerness to begin or to organize you may offend others or unknowingly interfere with long-standing plans. You are inspired by new ideas and tend to act on them without delay, but because of the excitement you don't give enough thought for the future. You are always ready to offer good advice and can be very persuasive, but your confident and carefree approach hides inner doubts. Those who know you well recognize this and offer the support and reassurance you need.

Love

You are won over by the thrill of romance and swept along by the exhilaration of a new relationship, sometimes forgetting your responsibilities in the whirlwind of emotion. Your relationships are not likely to be boring - there will be exhilarating and intimate times. It may be hard for you to quieten down and focus on one partner, but once you have overcome your initial hesitancy you are likely to take commitments seriously. Just as a horse is calmed by soothing words, you are easily charmed by tenderness and affection. In contrast, you are more chaotic when it comes to domestic affairs, but this can be forgiven because you are a loving and spirited partner.

Ram

Year of the Ram= 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015

Personality

You are a considerate person - you think before you act, and are troubled if you think you have unknowingly hurt someone else. If you have caused unforeseen problems or accidentally let someone else down, the chances are you will step forward to remedy the situation and re-establish the troubled friendship. You are sensitive to the world around you and when faced with the unexpected you can be hesitant and nervous, and since you are a peaceful person who tries to avoid unnecessary conflict. You have a nature of a wanderer and are happy to set off on journeys to meet people and to see the world. As long you don't head into strife-torn territory or are confronted by trouble-makers, you travel confidently. It is often the somple things in life that give you the most pleasure; a wonderful view, a beautifully created object or an inspiring piece of music will keep you happy and entranced. The last thing you want, or need is to be held to a strict timetable. Sometimes good opportunities do come your way but you hold back, as it is hard for you to make a quick decision. Life's comforts are important and you do not want to put them at risk.

Love

You need to feel secure in love and if your partner behaves indifferently it can leave you feeling very unsure of yourself. You have an emotional nature and are easily moved to tears, although it is often hard to explain why. Despite this, however, you lack the confidence to express your emotions, and as a result you may miss good romantic opportunities. The pressure of approaching strangers or making conversation with new acquaintances makes you uncomfortable, and you are more likely to meet a partner through friends. You are gentle and romantic, in need of protection, but equally your creative spirit should not be surpressed. On the other hand, your partner may find your unconventional nature or hesitancy irritating but often this is forgiven because you have a kind heart.

Monkey

Year of the Monkey= 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016

Personality

You have natural intelligence which enables you to watch what is happening and then act accordingly. You are lively company and a good listener, so others often share their sorrows or their good news. A secret is safe in your hands, and you are honest in your dealings. Although you are generally trustworthy and unlikely to hurt someone out of spite, you do not let people escape if they have behaved badly or damaged your reputation; indeed, it would be unwise for someone to cross you too many times. Your determination to achieve what you want can make you appear vain or manipulative, so be careful that this does not damage your friendships. Sometimes it is wiser not to pursue your goal and simply let thing pass.

Love

You are attracted by romance and its excitement, and you probably have lively love life. Partners are drawn by your openness, good humour and your interest in the world around you. You know how to put people at ease and even the most shy person could soon be caught up in your enthusiasm for a new scheme. The difficulty lies in making a commitment, but when you finally settle down you rarely stray. Once the relationship is established you prove to be a supportive, adaptable and dependable partner. Even when a relationship is over you will probably still be there if former partners need you in times of trouble.

Rooster

Year of the Rooster = 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017

Personality

You enjoy being in the spotlight, entertaining friends and meeting new people, and you can be charming company even in the most unexpected circumstances. It is rare to see you dowdy and untidy - in fact, you are usually one of the best dressed and groomed of all the animal signs. You have a strong independent spirit which makes it hard for you to accept advice. You are confident in your own judgements and choices, and prefer to follow your own routine. You can also be straightforward to the point in hurting others, and when something is needed to be said you go ahead and say it. The directness stems from naivety, not from vindictiveness, since you believe your opinions in order to keep the peace. Your erratic and sometimes even careless behaviour belies a vulnerable streak, and so you tend to protect with humour and lively conversation.

Love

There are likely to be many romantic opportunities in your life since you enfoy courtship and are a charming companion. You take pride in your appearance, and if the situation demands, you know how to impress with intelligent conversation. There is a danger that the thrill of romance comes from the conquest, and when a partner's actions or responses become predictable, restlessness takes hold and you set off again in search of an new relationship. Your independent nature keeps you on the move, but you also have a jealous streak which you try to keep hidden. You are capable of deep commitment, and in the right relationship are a dedicated and responsible partner.

Dog

Year of the Dog = 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018

Personality

You have an honest and courageous nature, ready to fight for a worthy cause or to defend friends in trouble. You are sensitive to others and empathize with them, particularly if they have suffered an injustice, reacting quickly with the same feeling, as though you had been personally offended. When you are told a story or hear of an event you need to know all the facts, and are dissatisfied if you feel you have only been given half the story; but, it is precisely this search for the truth that can make you over-critical. You feel it is your duty to point out weaknesses - not out of spite, but because you feel honesty is the best policy. You sometimes find the world overwhelming and need to withdraw from crowds to a quiet place where you can mull over these worries. There's no doubt that you have a strong sense duty and responsibility, but at times you need to relax and realize that it is impossible for you to shoulder every burden.

Love

You are a good listener and encourage your partner to share their problems, but when it comes to revealing your own feelings you are more reticent, wary of burdening others with your worries. You need reassurance and encouragement, and enjoy the company of someone who has the confident and adventurous spirit that you sometimes lack. You don't enjoy the excitement of the chase or thrive on jealous scenes, and when you feel isolated you soon become anxious and reserved. It could take a long time for you to regain your trust once you have been hurt or decieved. You may find it easier to form a friendship first and let it slowly develop into a romance, but once committed you are loving and faithful and will not be slow to defend your partner's reputation.

Pig

Year of the Pig = 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019

Personality

You are well-liked for your honesty and affectionate nature, and when others disappear you are often there to offer support. Although your circle of friends who share your inner thoughts and feelings. There is an innocence and naivety to your character which is combined with an eagerness for new places and experiences. You are not a vengeful person, and if someone has taken advantage of you, you tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect yourself. You are not weak, however, and if you have to fight you will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend yourself or someone else. Your reputation is important to you, and although you are happy to be the target of gentle jokes, you are easily hurt when someone unjustly accuses you or is openly vindictive.

Love

You need to experiment and discover romance before you can be sure that you have found the right partner. You put your trust in relationships, and some partners take advantage of your apparent naivety. But you are also a good learner and can pick yourself up and start again - it is rare for you to be defeated by a relationship. Your lively imagination and enthusiasm soon draws admirers who share your sense of fun, as well as recognize your more sensitive and serious nature. Once a relationship is established, your trust that the love and affection you give will be returned.