Animal Years

The Chinese Animal year Cycle

Each lunar year in China is named after an animal, running in twelve year cycles, after which they start all over again. People born in a certain year are supposed to have certain characteristics connected with it.

Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Goat Monkey Rooster Dog Pig

shu niu hu tu long she ma yang hou ji gou zhu

1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995; 2007

One of the Chinese fortune-telling methods best known outside the Chinese world is that of the twelve Animals years. In fact, the system is thought by many to be the be-all and end-all of Chinese Astrology. It is not. But the idea of people born in different years having some of the personality attributes of different animals is a colourful one, and the system is made particularly accessible by the fact that, like the European zodiac, it is based on twelve divisions, even if the divisions are in years rather than months.

Ironically, however, the Animal Years are used very little by Chinese people themselves for actual fortune-telling. Scholars of divination are particularly contemptuous about it, saying it is far too general to be an accurate guide to character and fate. But just about every Chinese person knows which year of the cycle he or she was born in -- the Year of the Rat, the Year of the Dragon, the Year of the Monkey etc -- and the method is taken into account, with various degrees of seriousness, when discussing if prospective marriage partners are compatible. Rats get on well with Dragons, but Dogs and Snakes are likely to fight like, well, dogs and cats.

The years of the twelve-years cycle became associated with various animals -- one for each year -- well over 2,000 years ago, but it is not certain if the Chinese thought up the idea themselves or borrowed it from civilisations further west which had similar systems based on different kinds of animals. China scholar Joseph Needham's only comment on the subject is: "As far as the historian of science is concerned, whoever invented the animal cycle is welcome to it."

The traditional Chinese fairy tale explanation of the Animal Year cycle is this: Once upon a time Buddha invited all the animals in the world to visit him, but only 12 turned up. As a reward, he gave each of the 12 animals a year to call their own, in the order in which they arrived.

As a form of divination relared to astrology, the Animal Cycle is also related to the 12 Earthly Branches which are one of the two counting systems which the Chinese traditionally used and combined to mark the passage of time (see Basics). The twelve animals -- rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig -- were chosen at some point to symbolise the 12 Earthly Branches, which were too abstract for many people to understand and remember, especially for uneducated peasants in China's overwhelmingly agrarian society. As a rough shorthand guide to the supposed character of the people born in different years, the addition of an animal to each year of the twelve-year cycle was very useful. So, the dragon symbolised nobility, the tiger strength and vitality, the monkey cleverness, the dog loyalty etc.

The animal years always appear in the same sequence every 12 years, although there is one exception -- in the Vietnamese world, the year of the Hare is known as the year of the Cat.

The personality portraits included below are intended only as an indication of certain tendencies within the personalities of people born in different years of the 12-year cycle. The way in which a person's character actually develops from this base depends upon circumstances -- in this as in other methods of fortune-telling, the Chinese tend to be non-fatalistic: everyone is born with an innate fate and character, but the way things finally turn out is also very much on a host of other factors -- environment, education, up-bringing etc.

There is one problem -- the years referred to below are lunar years, not the solar years of the Western calender. The lunar year starts and ends on a different day each year (according to the solar calender), but the Lunar New Year usually falls some time in February. So, if your year of birth is not included in the selection set out below, count backwards or forwards to discover which animal year you SHOULD fall in, then follow these rules: if you were born between March and December, refer to the animal of the year of your birth. If your birthday is in January, refer to the previous animal year, and if you were born in February, refer to both your year of birth and the year before to see which fits best.

There are some variations between different versions of the Animal Year Cycle, particularly of the most suitable and unsuitable marriage partners.

THE RAT - 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

1900 Jan 31 - 1901 Feb 19
1912 Feb 18 - 1913 Feb 6
1924 Feb 5 - 1925 Jan 25
1936 Jan 24 - 1937 Feb 11
1948 Feb 10 - 1949 Jan 29
1960 Jan 28 - 1961 Feb 15
1972 Feb 15 - 1973 Feb 2
1984 Feb 2 - 1985 Feb 19
1996 Feb 19 - 1997 Feb 6

People born in the year of the Rat have many personality traits in common with the Mickey Mouse character created by Walt Disney. They are good workers, capable, adaptable and clever and are very self-confidant. They are well-liked by others, make friends easily and have the gift making other people feel happy. They also have a good sense of humour and are eternally optimistic about life. But they can lack the staying power necessary to see things through to completion and do not make good leaders. Beneath their good-humoured exterior, they can be aggressive too. Rats are opportunists, and employ their charm to make those around them do their bidding. They tend to set their sights too high and often lose big opportunities because of some trifling consideration. They are extremists -- they overdo everything they are involved in from eating to gambling. Rats are generally unsuited to working in large companies: they perform better in jobs less governed by the restrictions of time and organisation. Rats can be creative, but they make excellent critics, and their advice is usually worth listening to. They can be neurotic and narrow-minded, and tend to be complainers. But they are generous to people they love, even though they are incapable of saving money. Rats have happy childhoods, but in middle age they face great diffculties. Old age, however, will be comfortable.

Best marriage partners for a male Rat: Ox, Dog, Monkey.
Best marriage partners for a female Rat: Dog, Pig, Ox.
Worst marriage partners for a male Rat: Snake, Rooster.
Worst marriage partners for a female Rat: Dragon, Snake, Horse.

Famous Rats: PRINCE ANDREW, Louis ARMSTRONG, Marlon BRANDO, William SHAKESPEARE, Jimmy CARTER, PRINCE CHARLES, Joan COLLINS, T.E. LAWRENCE (of Arabia), MOZART, Richard NIXON, Vanessa REDGRAVE, Leo TOLSTOY

THE OX - 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

1901 Feb 19 - 1902 Feb 8
1913 Feb 6 - 1914 Jan 26
1925 Jan 25 - 1926 Feb 13
1937 Feb 11 - 1938 Jan 31
1949 Jan 29 - 1950 Feb 17
1961 Feb 15 - 1962 Feb 5
1973 Feb 3 - 1974 Jan 22
1985 Feb 20 - 1986 Feb 8
1997 Feb 7 - 1998 Jan 27

People born in the year of the Ox are quiet, patient, prudent, methodical and realistic. They prefer a quiet life to gregariousness and tend to have only a few good friends. They are unhurried and can appear slow and inefficient to others. But while they may be slow, Oxen are not afraid of hard work, and they always think things through carefully before taking action. When they start something, they finish it. They are generally strong in both body and beliefs. Oxen have firm ties to their family, treat other people fairly, and tend to be conservative and traditional in their thinking. On the other hand, Oxen can be stubborn to the point of pig-headed perversity. They do not accept advice form others easily, preferring to rely on their own abilities. The fortunes of Oxen improve as they grow older. They appear on the surface to be very pleasant personalities, but they also have well-developed egos and make bad losers. They are not generally romantic by nature. Female Oxen make good mothers. Oxen have uneventful childhoods, but increasing difficulties in later life.

Best marriage partners for a male Ox: Rat, Snake, Rooster.
Best marriage partners for a female Ox: Rat, Rabbit, Rooster.
Worst marriage partners for a male Ox: Tiger, Dragon, Horse.
Worst marriage partners for a female Ox: Snake, Horse, Goat.

Famous Oxen: J.S. BACH, Richard BURTON, Fidel CASTRO, Charlie CHAPLIN, PRINCESS DIANA, Walt DISNEY, Jane FONDA, Clark GABLE, BOY GEORGE, Adolf HITLER, NAPOLEON, Robert REDFORD, Bertrand RUSSELL, Arthur SCARGILL, Margaret THATCHER

THE TIGER - 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

1902 Feb 8 - 1903 Jan 29
1914 Jan 26 - 1915 Feb 14
1926 Feb 13 - 1927 Feb 2
1938 Jan 31 - 1939 Feb 19
1950 Feb 17 - 1951 Feb 6
1962 Feb 5 - 1963 Jan 25
1974 Jan 23 - 1975 Feb 10
1986 Feb 9 - 1987 Jan 28
1998 Jan 28 - 1999 Feb 15

People born in the year of the Tiger are braver and more rebellious than others -- individualists who do not like to follow the crowd. They can also be violent, obstinate and argumentative. Tigers are leaders -- often the ringleaders of trouble -- but they do not always have leadership ability to match their fearsome self-confidence. Once they begin something, they throw themselves into it with all their will. They have a strong sense of ambition and their tendency to take risks and speak fearlessly can cause them trouble. This frankness inspires confidence in others but also earns him enemies. Tigers tend to rely too much on themselves and find it difficult to cooperate or compromise with others. But if they do think before jumping, they can be very successful. Once they have made a decision, they stick to it no matter what obstacles appear in their path. The early part of a Tiger's life will be uneventful, but the middle part will be full of troubles, including family and finance. If these problems are overcome, the Tiger will enjoy a peaceful old age.

Best marriage partners for a male: Dragon, Rooster, Dog
Best marriage partners for a female: Snake, Rooster
Worst marriage partners for a male: Ox, Hare, Horse, Goat
Worst marriage partners for a female: Ox, Hare

Famous Tigers: PRINCESS ANNE, BEETHOVEN, Isadora DUNCAN, Sir Alec GUINNESS, JIANG Qing (Madame Mao Tsetung), Hugh HEFNER, Groucho MARX, Karl MARX, Marilyn MONROE, QUEEN ELIZABETH II, Joan SUTHERLAND.

THE HARE - 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

1903 Jan 29 - 1904 Feb 16
1915 Feb 14 - 1916 Feb 3
1927 Feb 2 - 1928 Jan 23
1939 Feb 19 - 1940 Feb 8
1951 Feb 6 - 1952 Jan 27
1963 Jan 25 - 1964 Feb 13
1975 Feb 11 - 1976 Jan 30
1987 Jan 29 - 1988 Feb 16
1999 Feb 16 - 2000 Feb 4

Hares are happy creatures: gifted and virtuous, they prefer the quiet life to excitement, and are satisfied leaving things the way they are rather than try something new. They don't like anything which threatens their security and always consider a matter at great legnth from all angles before jumping in. But their personalities often lack depth. Other people, are put at ease by the Hare's calm, intelligent manner, and confide in them freely.

Hares are good judges of character, and make good businessmen. But Hares can also be indecisive and over-cautious, and they tend to be quick-tempered and wary of others motives. They have large sexual appetites, and their interest in sexual pleasures can affect their careers.

Hares are destined to lead generally placid lives. But if faced by crises, they can go to pieces.

Best marriage partners for a male: Ox, Snake, Horse, Goat
Best marriage partners for a female: Goat, Dog, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a male: Tiger
Worst marriage partners for a female: Tiger, Horse, Rooster

Famous Hares: Idi AMIN, Moshe DAYAN, Albert EINSTEIN, W.C. FIELDS, David FROST, Bob HOPE, Rudolf NUREYEV, Eva PERON, Frank SINATRA, STALIN, QUEEN VICTORIA, Andy WARHOL.

THE DRAGON - 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

1904 Feb 16 - 1905 Feb 4
1916 Feb 3 - 1917 Jan 23
1928 Jan 23 - 1929 Feb 10
1940 Feb 8 - 1941 Jan 27
1952 Jan 27 - 1953 Feb 14
1964 Feb 13 - 1965 Feb 2
1976 Jan 31 - 1977 Feb 17
1988 Jan 17 - 1989 Feb 5
2000 - 2001

Dragons are the luckiest of all the animals -- healthy, full of vitality and successful at just about everything they try. They can be highly intelligent and talented, and are also incapable of deviousness: open and direct in all their dealings. But by the same token, Dragons can also be tactless, impulsive and impatient and they generally have little regard for the opinions of others. These points can, if not controlled, cancel out their natural tendency towards success.

They are dynamic personalities, perfectionists full of verve and determination. They are respected by others. They are often loved, but rarely love in return -- perhaps they are too proud. Dragons are generally happy throughout their lives, although problems tend to be most common in youth and middle age.

Best marriage partners for a male: Rat, Sheep, Dog, Monkey
Best marriage partners for a female: Rat, Snake, Monkey
Worst marriage partners for a male: Tiger
Worst marriage partners for a female: Ox, Dog, Pig

Famous Dragons: Joan BAEZ, Jimmy CONNORS, Bing CROSBY, Salvador DALI, DENG Xiaoping (Teng Hsiao-ping), Sigmund FREUD, J. Paul GETTY, Graham GREENE, Tom JONES, Martin Luther KING, John LENNON, Francois MITTERAND, Ringo STARR, Shirley TEMPLE, TITO, Gough WHITLAM, Harold WILSON

THE SNAKE - 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

1905 Feb 4 - 1906 Jan 25
1917 Jan 23 - 1918 Feb 11
1929 Feb 10 - 1930 Jan 30
1941 Jan 27 - 1942 Feb 15
1953 Feb 14 - 1954 Feb 3
1965 Feb 21 - 1966 Jan 21
1977 Feb 18 - 1978 Feb 6
1989 Feb 6 - 1990 Jan 26
2001 - 2002

Snakes are, above all things, seen as being wise. They are thinkers rather than talkers, and have calm, stable personalities. They can seem rather cold at first, until you get to know them. But Snakes are also very adaptible to changing circumstances: when they start something they insist on seeing it through, and always find a way of doing so. They have very strong intuition and tend to be lucky in financial matters, although they can also be less than generous with what they have.

But Snakes do not take well to failure, and they find it difficult to accept advice from others. They are also prone to exaggeration and can be lazy. In some cases, they can be evil and hurtful. Snakes are attractive to others, but they are often jealous in love.

In youth and middle age, Snakes will lead generally untroubled lives, but later life can be difficult.

Best marriage partners for a male: Tiger, Dragon, Snake
Best marriage partners for a female: Ox, Rabbit, Dragon
Worst marriage partners for a male: Rat, Dog, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a female: Rat, Sheep

Famous Snakes: Roger BANNISTER, Bob DYLAN, Marianne FAITHFUL, Indira GANDHI, Grace KELLY, Howard HUGHES, Grace KELLY, John KENNEDY, LIBERACE, MAO Tsetung, Robert MITCHUM, Aristotle ONASSIS, Arnold PALMER, Pablo PICASSO, Brooke SHIELDS, Paul SIMON, John TRAVOLTA, Mae WEST.

THE HORSE - 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

1906 Jan 25 - 1907 Feb 13
1918 Feb 11 - 1919 Feb 1
1930 Jan 30 - 1931 Feb 17
1942 Feb 15 - 1943 Feb 5
1954 Feb 3 - 1955 Jan 24
1966 Jan 21 - 1967 Feb 9
1978 Feb 7 - 1979 Jan 27
1990 Jan 27 - 1991 Feb 14
2002 - 2003

Horses are known for their independence, their zest for life and their straightforward behaviour -- they are incapable of deviousness, and also have great difficulty keeping secrets.

Horses generally are more enthusiastic and energetic and have a great influence on what happens around them. They are usually ahead of the crowd, and are noted for being elegant, passionate and appreciative of luxury. They are quick and clever without necessarily being intelligent; they relish society and make friends easily, but can be too talkative. They are selfish and egotistical, but when they make a commitment in love they stick to it.

But Horses are given to boasting and showing off and do not easily accept the advice of others. They also lack stamina and can give up if success does not come easily.

Horse have mixed fortunes in early and middle age, but enjoy smooth sailing in later life.

Once every 60 years, there is a special Horse year: people born in this year are called "Fire Horses" (Huo Ma) and are noted for their particularly strong, fiercely independent characters. The last time this year occurred was 1966.

Best marriage partners for a male: Monkey
Best marriage partners for a female: Hare, Monkey
Worst marriage partners for a male: Rat, Ox, Hare
Worst marriage partners for a female: Ox, Tiger, Pig

Famous Horses: Muhammed ALI, Leonard BERNSTEIN, CHOPIN, Clint EASTWOOD, GENGHIS KHAN, Jimi HENDRIX, LENIN, Paul McCARTNEY, Kakouei TANAKA.

THE GOAT - 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

1907 Feb 13 - 1908 Feb 2
1919 Feb 1 - 1920 Feb 20
1931 Feb 17 - 1932 Feb 6
1943 Feb 5 - 1944 Jan 25
1955 Jan 24 - 1956 Feb 12
1967 Feb 9 - 1968 Jan 29
1979 Jan 28 - 1980 Feb 15
1991 Feb 15 - 1992 Feb 3

Goats generally have an artistic personality, and can be eccentrics. They have great patience, pay great attention to detail and are not afraid of hard work. Goats are adaptable, get on well with others, have excellent taste and always strive for perfection. But they can be indecisive and disorganised. Goats often need guidance and advice to achieve success.

But Goats also have mercurial personalities and are often unsatisfied with their lot in life. They find it difficult to admit their own faults. They also find it difficult to commit themselves wholly to love or marriage.

Goats are usually find that luck is with them in youth and old age, although they can experiences ups and downs in middle age.

Best marriage partners for a male: Hare, Monkey
Best marriage partners for a female: Hare, Dragon, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a male: Ox, Snake, Sheep, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a female: Tiger, Sheep, Dog

Famous Goats: John le CARRE, Lord CARRINGTON, Thomas EDISON, Duke ELLINGTON, Margot FONTEYN, George HARRISON, Mick JAGGER, Franz KAFKA, Benito MUSSOLINI, Laurence OLIVIER, SHAH of PERSIA, Keith RICHARDS, Mark TWAIN, Rudolph VALENTINO, Lech WALESA, John WAYNE

THE MONKEY - 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

1908 Feb 2 - 1909 Jan 22
1920 Feb 20 - 1921 Feb 8
1932 Feb 6 - 1933 Jan 26
1944 Jan 25 - 1945 Feb 13
1956 Feb 12 - 1957 Jan 31
1968 Jan 29 - 1969 Feb 16
1980 Feb 16 - 1981 Feb 4
1992 Feb 4 - 1993 Jan 22

There are some differences in character between males and females born in each year of the Animal cycle, but the differences, at least superficially, are most pronounced with Monkeys. Male monkeys appear calm and steady; females appear to be quarrelsome chatterboxes.

But regardless of sex, Monkeys are intelligent, quick- minded, and full of ideas. They also often have an over-active imagination. They have a knack for problem-solving, and have a great need for self-statement. They have a way of convincing other people to do what they want. In the right circumstances, they can become powerful leaders. But Monkeys can also be selfish and dishonest, and have a liking for practical jokes. More concerned with constant movement than with substance, their attention-span is not all that long, and they can switch from one idea or interest to another with great rapidity. Monkeys tend to be unhappy in love. They are vain and often contemptuous and mistrustful of those around them.

Monkeys tends to be happy in youth, but beset with troubles in middle age. Old age is more peaceful, but not necessarily happy.

Best marriage partners for a male: Dragon, Horse
Best marriage partners for a female: Rat, Dragon, Horse
Worst marriage partners for a male: Monkey, Rooster, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a female: Monkey, Rooster

Famous Monkeys: Bjorn BORG, Michael CAINE, Johnny CASH, Alistair COOKE, Ray DAVIES, Ian FLEMING, Bob MARLEY, Peter O'TOOLE, Pope JOHN PAUL II, Diana ROSS, Marquis de SADE, Rod STEWART, Elizabeth TAYLOR, Leonardo da VINCI.

THE ROOSTER - 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

1909 Jan 22 - 1910 Feb 10
1921 Feb 8 - 1922 Jan 28
1933 Jan 26 - 1934 Feb 14
1945 Feb 13 - 1946 Feb 2
1957 Jan 31 - 1958 Feb 16
1969 Feb 17 - 1970 Feb 5
1981 Feb 5 - 1982 Jan 24
1993 Jan 23 - 1994 Feb 9

Roosters are proud, disciplined and have a strong sense of duty. The most prominent aspect of a Rooster's character is his honesty. Roosters are clever and have good memories, but they can have rather shallow personalities. They have brash, bold exteriors which can be misleading -- they are not really as brave or daring as they at first appear. They tend to be very self- confident and generous, and make friends easily. But they can also be worriers.

On the negative side, Roosters take themselves very seriously and can be very vain: they pay a lot of attention to their clothes and general appearance, and are very fashion conscious. They like to show off and love social occasions and are suckers for praise. But they rarely repay the compliment: they see only others faults and never their good points, and never hesitiate to speak their mind. They are also chronic complainers. They tend to be impatient and rash, and their tongues can run away from them. Roosters can be lazy, preferring to dream rather than to do.

Roosters experience a rocky ride throughout their lives, with their luck alternating wildly from one extreme to the other, but they are usually happy in old age.

Best marriage partners for a male: Ox, Tiger
Best marriage partners for a female: Ox, Tiger
Worst marriage partners for a male: Rabbit, Monkey, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a female: Rat, Monkey, Rooster

Famous Roosters: Dirk BOGARDE, Eric CLAPTON, Joan COLLINS, Errol FLYNN, Joseph GOEBBELS, JESUS CHRIST, Yoko ONO, Roman POLANSKI, Nancy REAGAN

THE DOG - 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

1910 Feb 10 - 1911 Jan 30
1922 Jan 28 - 1923 Feb 16
1934 Feb 14 - 1935 Feb 4
1946 Feb 2 - 1947 Jan 22
1958 Feb 16 - 1959 Feb 8
1970 Feb 6 - 1971 Jan 26
1982 Jan 25 - 1983 Feb 12
1994 Feb 10 - 1995 Jan 30

People born in the year of the Dog are loyal and faithful, and with the right friends they can be very successful. They also tend to be irritable and bad-tempered. Dogs are diligent and clever, energetic workers with a strong moral sense, and are admired and appreciated by superiors and colleagues alike. Dogs are tenacious to the point of obstinacy, but they are also bright, and can take advice.

Dogs do not like social occasions, and do not shine in public. They can have trouble expressing themselves, but make excellent listeners. They tend to be very fair, and are quick to denounce injustices.

However, Dogs tend to be pessimistic and can be wracked by worries and anxieties, which can lead to problems in love, and with life in general. They are introverts who need someone else to draw them out.

The lives of Dogs are dominated by their worries and anxieties which make it difficult for them to be truly happy at any stage.

Best marriage partners for a male: Rat, Rabbit
Best marriage partners for a female: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Dragon
Worst marriage partners for a male: Dragon, Sheep, Rooster
Worst marriage partners for a female: Snake, Dog

Famous Dogs: Brigitte BARDOT, George BEST, David BOWIE, CHER, Winston CHURCHILL, Judy GARLAND, George GERSHWIN, Barry MANILOW.

THE PIG - 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

1911 Jan 30 - 1912 Feb 18
1923 Feb 16 - 1924 Feb 5
1935 Feb 4 - 1936 Jan 24
1947 Jan 22 - 1948 Feb 10
1959 Feb 8 - 1960 Jan 28
1971 Jan 27 - 1972 Feb 14
1983 Feb 13 - 1984 Feb 1
1995 Jan 31 - 1996 Feb 18

The Chinese word "Zhu" is usually translated into English as Pig, but the characters of people born in this year more closely resemble the wild boar which carries the name "mountain pig" in Chinese.

The Pig is naive, straight-forward and honest. He is aggressive and full of ambition, but completely lacking in guile. This naivity can be interpreted by some as simnple-mindedness or even stupidity. The Pig operates directly and in the open, and does not take easily to cooperation. Pigs are optimists and they tend to take good care over their appearance. They generally have pleasant personalities, they think of others, and can be very sympathetic. They have many friends and will do anything for those they love. They are self-confidant, and make good leaders. When they have decided on some course of action, they continue with it regardless of obstacles or setbacks. This courage is probably the Pig's main strong-point. Their great personal drive means that if they are lucky in early life, they can rise very quickly in their chosen career. The Piug is the most likely of the 12 animal years to be lucky in money affairs.

The main problem with Pigs, however, is that they are not very adaptable and can suffer due to a failure to respond quickly to changing circumstances.

Pigs have a peaceful youth and old age, but are beset by troubles, many of them romantic, in middle age.

Best marriage partners for a male: Rat, Rabbit, Goat, Pig
Best marriage partners for a female: Ox, Pig
Worst marriage partners for a male: Horse, Dragon
Worst marriage partners for a female: Goat, Snake, Monkey, Rooster

Famous Pigs: Woody ALLEN, Fred ASTAIRE, Humphrey BOGART, CHIANG Kai-shek, Noel COWARD, Oliver CROMWELL, DALAI LAMA, Alfred HITCHCOCK, Carl JUNG, Henry KISSINGER, Robert MAXWELL, Ronald REAGAN, Ginger ROGERS.