Here is the list of the Chinese Zodiac:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Ram
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
When people first know each other, they typically ask for which Zodiac Animal they belong to.
Examples
For example, I am a Snake, Wendy is a Horse, and Yifan is a Pig. :-)
Since there are 12 years in between of two same animal, it is pretty easy to calculate how old is someone. The age is not as a secret as in western world, anyway.
We just said goodbye to the year of Rat, and stepping into the year of Ox.
Hah! OK, this made me curious. It turns out that I am a “Rooster” (which, by anyone’s guess makes me very old indeed ;-) According to some of the explanations, my personality is described as “A pioneer in spirit. You are devoted to work and quest after knowledge. You are selfish and eccentric.” “Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible. Can be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, opinionated.” No way! I mean, I think I probably am pretty “alert” most of the time (except first thing in the morning — I am totally not a morning person, so how could I possibly be a competent rooster??) but other than that I’d have to claim almost the exact opposites of most of those traits. I guess there must be exceptions — surely not every single person born within a year will share the same characteristics. I would really be a failure as a rooster!
I will definitely have to think about this, Jian Shuo. Maybe I am actually more selfish and eccentric than I’d like to believe!
;-)
Haha, what an interesting topic! I’m a Rooster, and I wish I were a Ox. In that case, I would be four years younger.