Buddha Legend
The 12 animals used in the cycle of the Chinese Zodiac, which are used for the Chinese New Year Names, are said to be derived from a legend about Buddha.
In the legend, Buddha invited all the animals to join him for New Year's Day. However, only 12 animals went to see him. As a reward, Buddha named a year for each one in order of their arrival: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The ox would have arrived first, but the rat traveled on the ox's back, jumping off just before they arrived.
Due to its importance to Chinese culture, the celebration of the New Year is a major event both in China and around the world.
Chinese Astrology and the Chinese Zodiac Animals
In Chinese astrology, it is believed that people born in the year of each of the Animals of the Chinese Zodiac have a unique set of character traits. These character traits determine if two people are compatible. People who trust in Chinese astrology consider this compatibility before commencing a romantic or business relationship.
In contrast, in Western astrology, people's character traits are based on the Sign of the Zodiac under which they are born.
Year of the Rat
People born in the Year of the Rat tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, artistic, and shrewd
- Negative traits: manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, envious, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, and scheming
Year of the Ox
People born in the Year of the Ox tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: dependable, ambitious, calm, methodical, born leader, patient, hardworking, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious
- Negative traits: stubborn, dogmatic, hot-tempered, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding
Year of the Tiger
People born in the Year of the Tiger tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, generous
- Negative traits: restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, moody
Year of the Rabbit
People born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: gracious, good friend, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, astute, compassionate, lucky, flexible
- Negative traits: moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, stubborn
Year of the Dragon
People born in the Year of the Dragon tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal
- Negative traits: tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash
Year of the Snake
People born in the Year of the Snake tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, purposeful
- Negative traits: loner, bad communicator, possessive, hedonistic, self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, suffocating, cold
Year of the Horse
People born in the Year of the Horse tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile—mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded
- Negative traits: fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, stubborn
Year of the Sheep
People born in the Year of the Sheep tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, shy, artistic, creative, gentle, compassionate, understanding, mothering, peaceful, generous, seeks security
- Negative traits: moody, indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, over-sensitive, complainer, weak-willed
Chinese New Year: Year of the Monkey
People born in the Year of the Monkey tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, artistic, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, factual, intellectual
- Negative traits: egotistical, vain, arrogant, selfish, reckless, snobbish, deceptive, manipulative, cunning, jealous, suspicious
Year of the Rooster
People born in the Year of the Rooster tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible
- Negative traits: over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, proud, opinionated, given to empty bravado
Year of the Dog
People born in the Year of the Dog tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, sensitive, easy-going
- Negative traits: cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome
Year of the Pig
People born in the Year of the Pig tend to have these character traits:
- Positive traits: honest, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hard-working, trusting, sincere, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, intelligent
- Negative traits: naïve, over-reliant, self-indulgent, gullible, fatalistic, materialistic
Chinese Elements and the Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Chinese elements, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth, also affect the character traits of people born under each Chinese sign of the zodiac.
Birthstones of the Zodiac Signs
Chinese astrology associates a birthstone with each sign of the zodiac. They are designed to support the strengths of the zodiac sign, and to compensate for its weaknesses.
Precious Flowers of the Zodiac Signs
Chinese astrology also associates a precious flower with each sign of the zodiac. Each precious flower has its own importance in Chinese culture
Chinese Astrological Forecast for 2012
Chinese astrology makes forecasts for each Chinese Year in general, and for people belonging to each Chinese zodiac sign in more detail. For more information, see Chinese Astrology – Horoscope for 2012 Year of the Dragon.
Sources:
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, Theodora Lau, published by Souvenir Press, New York, 2005
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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