SNAKE....1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
HORSE....1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
SHEEP....1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
MONKEY....1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
ROOSTER....1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2005
DOG....1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
PIG....1953, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
RAT....1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1884, 1996, 2008
OX....1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
TIGER....1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
RABBIT....1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
DRAGON....1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
The Twelve Animals
The origins of the twelve animals which are honoured with a year each is rich in legends and myths. A commonly held belief is that the Buddha decided to invite all the animals of the earth to visit him on New Years Day.
However, despite preparing for the biggest party since the disembarkation of Noah's Ark, only 12 animals arrived. They were the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Hare, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig.
The Buddha decided to honour his guests by awarding each a year of its own. The system is influenced by Yin (female) and Yang (male) cosmic force which is said to be an interpretation of universal harmony and balance.
Rat
1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 19 & 35
Rats are charming creatures, contrary to their reputation in the animal kingdom. Amusing and intelligent, they love socializing and attract a wide circle of friends. However, these relationships can be short-lived, since Rats adore gossip.
Although they can be quick to anger, Rat people are able to conceal their negative feelings beneath a calm, cool exterior.
Rats are acquisitive, salting away their money in an effort to feel secure. They are ambitious and persistent, often being successful in business enterprises. However, in this context as in their personal lives, Rats need constant communication and support. They thrive on a frenzy of activity in a variety of fields, in both work and recreational spheres.
Ox
1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 5, 12, 15, 33, 35, 51 & 53
Ox people are placid and stable, utterly reliable and tenacious. They are true survivors, doggedly plodding through life's obstacles and pitfalls to achieve their chosen aims.
Ox people are careful about who they take into their confidence, but once you have earned their trust, you will enjoy their sympathy, sound advice and willingness to give constructive help when the situation arises. Although tolerant and easy-going, it is dangerous to push the Ox too far: he or she makes a formidable and long-lived enemy.
No strangers to domesticity, Ox people make excellent parents and caring, loyal partners. You may find them looking after the elderly, large numbers of children of the sick.
Tiger
1902 1914 1926 1939 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010
Lucky Numbers: 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 34, 44, 45 & 54
Tiger people are powerful and courageous in line with their animal counterparts. Together with their capacity for original, creative thought, Tigers are natural leaders. However, while occupying their elevated positions in society, Tiger people can be selfish and stubborn, exercising an unwillingness to take heed of or trust others beneath them. They have a rebellious streak and tend to resent their elders or anyone in a position of authority above them.
Tigers can be wild creatures, lacking in stability and prone to restlessness. Quick to become bored, they thrive on variety and constant challenge. Tigers are not easily tamed; they value their freedom and independence too much.
Hare
1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011
Lucky Numbers: 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 34, 44, 45 & 54
Hares are sensitive and intuitive creatures that love the company of others, seeking the warmth and security of a one-to-one relationship. They make responsive companions, tactful, respectful and sympathetic. Hares will do anything to keep the peace: they will back off at the first sign of trouble.
Naturally reserved, Hares may withdraw into the safety of their own private, untouchable world. They are highly cautious and seek the tranquility and security of a real home above all things. Often lucky financially, Hares have an uncanny sense for picking a winner and make good gamblers, disciplined as they are by their innate caution.
Dragon
1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 21, 34, 35, 36 & 45
Dragons are larger than life, befitting their mythological status in Chinese astrology. They will attract attention in any situation, even though it may not always be of a positive nature! Flamboyant, glamorous and strong-willed, the Dragon draws people to him or her like a magnet.
Full of energy, drive and ambition, Dragons are highly visible in society as politicians, film stars, pop stars and entrepreneurs - always in the forefront of their chosen fields. However, prepare yourself for the Dragon's lack of consideration for others. He or she can be unfaithful or unreliable but you will doubtless be persuaded to give them a second or more chance, such is their attraction.
Snake
1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 4, 6, 13, 24, 42 & 46
Snakes are often physically attractive but in addition they have a flair for creating just the right look for any occasion by judiciously applying a few individual and creative touches. They have a special gift for recognizing potential where few other people would, and helping to fulfill it to great effect. This trait helps Snakes to succeed in business.
Snakes have a subtle way of leading people into thinking that they are supremely knowledgeable in whatever field suits their purpose at the time. However, they would not stoop to telling downright lies.
Often romantic, snakes are attentive to the changing moods and appearance of their nearest and dearest, although they will quickly become morose if this attention is not reciprocated.
Horse
1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13, 14, 41 & 43
Horses are popular, friendly creatures but can have a fiery, rebellious latent tendency. They are physically energetic, strong and enduring, and will invariably work hard at any job. However, they may be over-enthusiastic and single-minded about a pet project and behave somewhat impetuously and pig-headed.
Horses are gregarious people and enjoy entertainment on a large scale. They enjoy spending money, for instance on expensive clothes, but they so put their boundless energy into travel. Horse people are prone to falling hopelessly in love and become blind to the world outside.
Sheep
1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 5, 12, 34, 45 & 54
Sheep are gentle, selfless creatures - you will find many of them in the caring professions. They are often artistic but tend to follow an established tradition rather than create an original style. Consequently, they make skilled craftspeople. In fact, in all spheres of life Sheep people, like the animals they are named after, are followers rather than leaders. They often lack a sense of direction and therefore can become lost and confused in life if they do not receive strong but kindly guidance. Left to their own devices, Sheep can be irresponsible and impractical.
Sheep people can be great peacemakers, able to defuse an explosive situation with their considerable tact and diplomacy. They value security above all else.
Monkey
1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 5, 7, 16, 23, 34, 45 & 54
Monkeys are multi-talented people, being quick of wit and highly adaptable. However, in view of their light-hearted natures and great sense of humor, their worth can be underestimated by other people who refuse to take them seriously. If valued and encouraged, Monkeys can be extremely successful in business with their adeptness at making deals.
Although delightful company, Monkeys can be unreliable and less than honest, even double-dealing in personal relationships. Therefore, the Monkey may find his or her associations short-lived and unfulfilled. In fact, Monkeys tend to have many different relationships in their lives before establishing a deep and lasting liaison.
Monkeys are often gifted story-tellers, being drawn to the world of fantasy.
Rooster
1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017
Lucky Numbers: 1, 5, 6, 12, 15, 16, 24 & 51
Roosters are diligent, efficient and deeply committed, often working long and hard to achieve their chosen goals. However, they are prone to taking on more work than they can cope with and experiencing bitter disappointment when they fail. Roosters like to work on their own, in their own way, and strongly react against any outside interference. They can be overbearing and bossy in their frustration with less-capable colleagues or partners.
Roosters have a reputation for being forthright, but their honesty to the point of bluntness can cause them to lose friends.
Inclined to the eccentric, Roosters adore adventure and make intrepid explorers of the world at large.
Dog
1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018
Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 14, 19, 28, 30, 41, 45 & 54
Dogs are blessed with many of the finer traits of human nature. They are faithful and reliable, just like their animal counterparts, hard-working and dutiful. They are always anxious to give of their best. However, dogs can be rather conservative, reluctant to embrace new ideas and to develop. They can also be slow to learn, thus trying the patience of other signs.
Dogs need close contact with other people. They are sympathetic, supportive, forgiving and discreet in human relationships. However, if a Dog takes a dislike to you, he or she can be highly critical and sarcastic. Dogs are not known for their romantic natures.
Dogs need a good deal of encouragement to fulfill their potential. Unfortunately, some suffer from a lack of belief in themselves.
Pig
1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019
Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 16, 18, 34, 41, & 48
Pig people set a worthy example to the other signs. They are caring of others, particularly their families which are of paramount importance in their lives. They have an unshakeable faith in human nature and are staggeringly tolerant of the weaknesses of others.
Pigs are highly industrious, taking great pains to carry out any task thoroughly and properly. They take great pride in their endeavors. Almost fanatically efficient and tidy, Pig people want to succeed only on the basis of their own merits and hard labor.
The Pig may have few friends but they will be of the lifelong variety.
