Chinese astrology dates back more than 3000 years. If you are traveling in China, and someone asks you "who do you belong to" they are asking about your zodiac sign, and which animal you belong to. In Chinese astrology the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on a 12-year cycle, is made up of 12 animals – ox, tiger, dragon, mouse, rabbit, pig, dog, snake, sheep, horse, rooster, and monkey.
Chinese folklore tells a story of a Buddha summoning animals to a meeting to designate the signs of the zodiac. Only the first twelve animals to arrive would be represented. The night before the meeting, it is said that the cat told his friend the rat of the meeting and they agreed to wake each other in the morning so they could be the first to arrive. Instead, the rat snuck away without the cat and went to the meeting alone. The rat arrived first and was followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The cat awoke too late and the meeting was over by the time he arrived. Legend states that this is why the cat hunts the rat to this day, and may be the original of the popular term 'cat napping'.
Rat
Years of Birth: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Children born in the year of the rat are charming and others gravitate towards them. Rats work hard to achieve goals, have exceptional imagination, love to talk but can be easily angered. Rats have big goals and ambitions in life and tend to be successful adults.
Greatest Strengths: Imaginative, and Generous
Noted Weakness: Quick Tempered, Opportunist
Most Compatible: Monkey, Cow and Dragon |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Carisa the Rat |
Cow
Years of Birth: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Children born in the year of the Cow are very patient and understanding and usually inspire confidence in friends. On most days, a cow is easy going and even tempered, but can be very stubborn when it suits them. The ox child is a born leader and hates to fail.
Greatest Strengths: Born Leader, Confidence
Noted Weakness: Quick Tempered, Eccentric
Most Compatible: Snake and Rooster |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Shawn the Cow |
Tiger
Years of Birth: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Children born in the year of the tiger are deep thinkers who are capable of great compassion and sympathy. A tiger gains great respect from others but often bucks at authority and can be very short tempered. Tiger children often have a difficult time making decisions and staying on task but when a decision is made, they are powerful and courageous.
Greatest Strengths: Courageous, Sympathetic
Noted weakness: Short Temper, Indecisive
Most Compatible: Horse, Dragon and Dog |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Helene the Tiger |
Rabbit
Years of Birth: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Children born in the year of the rabbit are ambitious, trustworthy and very talented. They are kind and compassionate children who love to talk and share stories. Rabbits tend to be conservative and wise with making decisions and guarding money and possess a natural ability to make the right choices in life.
Greatest Strengths: Affectionate and Articulate
Noted Weakness: Too Sentimental and Superficial
Most Compatible: Sheep, Dog and Pig |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Gary the Rabbit |
Dragon
Years of Birth: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Children born in the year of the dragon are all out energetic, vivacious and excitable, with short tempers and an obvious stubborn streak. Dragons tend to be very healthy with an abundance of confidence and honesty. Not ones to be boastful or a braggart, dragon children are soft hearted and sincere.
Greatest Strengths: Energetic, Sincere, Confident
Noted Weakness: Stubborn, Short Tempered
Most Compatible: Rat, Snake and Monkey |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Tommy the Dragon |
Snake
Years of Birth: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Children born in the year of the snake are complex and multi-dimensional. They tend to be quiet but are very intelligent. Snakes can be judgmental of others but are sympathetic and are very determined in all that they attempt. Snake children are very calm outwardly but passionate and intense internally.
Greatest Strengths: Wise, Passionate
Noted Weakness: Vanity
Most Compatible: Rooster and Cow |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Sam the Snake |
Horse
Years of Birth: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Children born in the year of the horse are very outgoing and popular among friends. They seem to be happy all the time, cheerful and often very chatty. Horses are very smart and excellent working with their hands. They love to be the life of the party and are fiercely independent, rarely taking the advice of others and can be quick tempered.
Greatest Strengths: Popular and Independent
Noted Weakness: Impatient, Hot Temper
Most Compatible: Tiger and Dog |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Jane the Horse |
Sheep
Years of Birth: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Children born in the year of the sheep are artistic and accomplished. Often, they are introverted and shy but highly creative and compassionate. Often shy to speak, sheep are passionate about what they believe in. Noted for being gentle, sensitive and wise, ram children make great companions and friends.
Greatest Strengths: Creative, Wise and Compassionate
Noted Weakness: Timid, Introverted
Most Compatible: Pig and Rabbit |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Isis the Sheep |
Monkey
Years of Birth: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Children born in the year of the monkey are very clever, inventive and creative. They can be impulsive and impatient and want immediate gratification in most tasks and need continual encouragement. Gifted with common sense, most monkeys have excellent memory retention and are very strong willed, often at the expense of others.
Greatest Strengths: Intelligent, Creative
Noted Weakness: Easily Discouraged, Pig Headed
Most Compatible: Dragon and Rat |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Del the Monkey |
Rooster
Years of Birth: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Children born in the year of the rooster are naturally talented, very capable and devoted. Roosters love to keep busy and love to succeed at whatever they attempt. Often known as eccentric, roosters have difficulty making friends and building relationships but are not loners by any means. Roosters can be selfish and outspoken at time, timid and inward at other times.
Greatest Strengths: Deep Thinker, Talented
Noted Weakness: Outspoken, Eccentric
Most Compatible: Cow and Snake |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Cindy the Rooster |
Dog
Years of Birth: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Children born in the year of the dog are said to possess the best of human nature traits. They are fiercely loyal to friends and family, conduct themselves in an honest and integral manner and inspire others. Dogs are great secret keepers but are known to be eccentric, stubborn and sometimes selfish. Dogs are sharp witted and are always outspoken. They make the best leaders and are trusted by their peers.
Greatest Strengths: Loyal, Honest, Work Well w/Others
Noted Weakness: Generous yet Stubborn, Often Selfish
Most Compatible: Tiger and Horse |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Aimee the Dog |
Pig
Years of Birth: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Children born in the year of the pig are courteous and fearless. They give their all to everything they attempt. Pigs often exhibit extreme honesty and integrity in dealing with others, sometimes to a fault. They tend to have few friends, but what friends they do they keep for life, being extremely loyal companions. Pigs love to learn and prefer reading and studying to talking idly. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. Pigs can be very hot tempered but hate confrontation and argument.
Greatest Strength: Loyal, noble, considerate
Noted Weakness: Quick Tempered
Most Compatible: Rabbit and Sheep |
Bamboo Baby Character:
Natalie the Pig |
