When people hear about the Zodiac they think about the traditional cycle of 12 months which incorporates star signs : Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn. However there is another zodiac formed by the chinese culture which is a 12 year cycle. Each year is governed by a different animal. Each animal bears unique traits which are passed on to those born under its year. How these different animals were truly chosen to be part of twelve year cycle is not known but there is the popular chinese lore which seeks to explain it. It follows as shown below:
"A long time ago in China, a Jade Emperor decided that there should be a measuring of time. So on his birthday he decided that he would host a race with all the animals. The mission was to cross a fast flowing river and emerge on the banks at the other side. There were 12 spots and only the first 12 animals would earn themselves a place in the zodiac.
All the animals lined up on the river bank waiting for the race to start. The rat and cat were good friends but were worried because they were not good swimmers. Being clever, they asked the strong Ox to carry them across and he agreed. They climbed on his back and the Ox started across the large river. He soon took the lead and the cat and rat became excited. When they had almost reached the other side the rat became greedy and pushed the cat into the river, ran up the Ox's head and jumped onto the bank first of all the animals. The emperor gave him the first place in the zodiac and the second place to the Ox. The tiger came across the river third and earned the third place in the zodiac.
Next to come was the lucky rabbit. The emperor asked him how he got across so quickly and he explained that he never swam across but instead hopped on all the rocks and found a log adrift that carried him all the way to the river bank. He earned the fourth place in the zodiac. Next came the great dragon who swooped down beside the emperor. The emperor was surprised and asked how was it that he didn't place first. He replied that the people of a village were thirsty and so he stopped to make rain for them and on his way to the river bank he had seen a rabbit struggling on a log so he had blown a puff of wind so that the rabbit would reach the bank safely. The dragon earned the fifth place in the zodiac.
Then the emperor heard the sound of hooves and the horse came into view. He was almost at the finish when a snake wriggled off on of his hooves. Startled, he reared back and the snake slithered off towards the finish. The snake earned the sixth place and the poor horse got the seventh place.
Soon after a raft arrived with 3 animals...a sheep, a monkey and a rooster. They explained to the emperor that they worked together to cross the fast river. The rooster found the raft, the sheep cleared away the weeds and the monkey pushed the raft to shore. The sheep earned the eighth place, the monkey the ninth and the rooster the tenth.
Next came the dog. The emperor asked why he came so late when he was one of the best swimmers. The dog replied that the water was so clean that he had to take a bath. He earned the eleventh place in the zodiac. The emperor waited for the last animal to show but it seemed no one was coming. Just as he was about to leave the boar showed up. The emperor wondered hy he took so long to finish. The boar replied that he was hungry so he stopped to eat and then after that he was so full that he fell asleep. The emperor awarded him the last place in the zodiac."
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
General Traits:
Quick-witted, Smart, Appealing, Protective, Instinctive
Compatable with: Dragons and Monkeys
Incompatable with: Horses
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
General Traits:
Obstinate, Genuine, Quick-tempered, Truthful, Friendly
Compatable with: Snakes and Roosters
Incompatable with: Sheep
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
General Traits:
Courageous, Vain, Hopeful, Resilient, Self-Dependant
Compatable with: Horses and Dogs
Incompatable with: Monkeys
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
General Traits:
Wise, Considerate, Serene, Obsessive, Keen
Compatable with: Sheep and Pigs
Incompatable with: Roosters
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988
General Traits:
Innovative, Enterprising, Brave, Passionate, Conceited
Compatable with: Rats and Monkeys
Incompatable with: Dogs
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1966, 1977, 1989
General Traits:
Cunning, Proud, Vicious, Aware, Vain
Compatable with: Oxen and Roosters
Incompatable with: Pigs
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990
General Traits:
Outgoing, Arrogant, Sophisticated, Joyful, Resilient
Compatable with: Tigers and Dogs
Incompatable with: Rats
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991
General Traits:
Smart, Dependant, Insecure, Artistic, Kind
Compatable with: Rabbits and Pigs
Incompatable with: Oxen
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992
General Traits:
Imaginative, Witty, Curious, Clever, Responsible
Compatable with: Dragons and Rats
Incompatable with: Tigers
1921, 1935, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
General Traits:
Romantic, Brave, Proud, Boastful, Motivated
Compatable with: Oxen and Snakes
Incompatable with: Rabbits
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
General Traits:
Compassionate, Anxious, Honest, Reliable, Responsible
Compatable with: Tigers and Horses
Incompatable with: Dragons
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
General Traits:
Hardworking, Helpful, Materialistic, Obstinate, Giving
Compatable with: Sheep and Rabbits
Incompatable with: Snake
This year (2011) is the year of the Rabbit. It is a year to recuperate from the prior year's (2010 - Year of the Tiger) aggressiveness. It is not a year of much excitement or hype. During this year the greatest benefits are reaped by devoting time to family, home, security and diplomacy. The Rabbit helps quiet the nerves and calmly deal with any situations that may arise. The Rabbit encourages us to engage in beautification projects, making sound investments and promote savings as well as enhancing the love in our lives and learning about things that capture our interest. The year of the rabbit will affect each animal sign differently during this year. I suggest that if you are interested in knowing how this year will turn out for you, look up your respective chinese animal sign and delve deeper into the forecast predicted for your sign under the Year of the Rabbit.
