Rat: Energetic, creative, charming, extremely ambitious, alluring, imaginative, witty, honest, thrifty (but taken in by bargains), hard working, generous, bright, happy, sociable. Can be overcritical, quick-tempered, manipulative, small-minded, and gossipy. Good as a publicist, salesperson, writer, or critic.
Past Rats: Shakespeare, Mozart, Churchill, Washington, Tolstoy, Mozart, Jules Verne, Marlon Brando, Adlai Stevenson.
Compatibility: Dragons, Monkeys, not with Horses.
In 2000: Expect financial gains, promotions and recognition for achievements, however, beware of new friends who may tend to use you. Expect achievement, success, and good fortune in all endeavors, especially in relationships and career. This may be one of your best years in the twelve-year cycle and is an excellent time to get married.
Ox: Leader but loner, patient, precise, hard-working, proud, reserved, strong, persistent, conservative, steady, trustworthy, introverted but a commanding and eloquent speaker, naive in relationships. Also vengeful, obstinate, demanding, slow, sore loser, jealous. Good as a surgeon, general, or hairdresser.
Past Oxen: Hitler, Johnny Carson, Malcolm X, Bill Cosby, Napoleon, Van Gogh, Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher.
Compatibility: Snake or Rooster, not Sheep.
In 2000: Avoid festivities. This will be a moderate year with many changes and unexpected troubles. Work hard and stay focused, dedicated, patient, and reliable and rewards will come at the end of the year.
Tiger: Noble, aggressive, frank, generous, polite, brave, deep, sensitive, leader. Also conceited, undisciplined, stubborn, disobedient, hasty, hot-tempered, argumentative. Good as a boss, explorer, or race-car driver.
Past Tigers: Evil Knievel, Hugh Hefner, Marco Polo, Mary - Queen of Scots, Dwight Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, Ho Chi Minh.
Compatibility: Horse, Dog, not Monkey.
In 2000: Not the best of years. You may find it hard to raise money. Also beware of being influenced by others in making unwise investments. Some unhappiness is foreseen, perhaps with a separation from someone close to you, or a break in a partnership. Changes will seem difficult - even when they are for your own good.
See 1998 – Year of the Tiger for further information on the tiger.
Rabbit (or Cat): Clever, peaceable, prudent, cultivated, gregarious, tactful, sensitive, companionable, virtuous, gifted, articulate, compassionate, luckiest of all signs. Also old-fashioned, devious, unimaginative, touchy, private, squeamish, hypochondriacal. Good as a lawyer, diplomat, or actor.
Past Rabbits: Harry Belafonte, Queen Victoria, Fidel Castro, George C. Scott, Einstein, Confucius, David Rockefeller, Henry Miller, Benjamin Spock.
Compatibility: Sheep or Pig, not Rooster.
In 2000: Expect much activity and movement, which can be to your benefit if you stay motivated and optimistic. New friends and acquaintances can prove beneficial, but avoid get overextended. Consider retreating and resting at home when tired. Moderately happy but busy time at home and in your career. Mixed or mediocre finances but it will be easy to be congenial and contented as your overall gains will exceed your losses. You may make powerful new friends who will prove useful.
See 1999 – Year of the Rabbit for further information on the rabbit.
Dragon: Astute, conscientious, scrupulous, sentimental, energetic, emotional, healthy, generous, artistic, lucky, successful, influential. Also hasty, anxious, stubborn, willful, loud, irritable, grouchy, exacting. Good as artist, priest, or politician.
Past Dragons: John Lennon, Al Pacino, Jimmy Connors, Salvador Dali, James Coburn, Joan of Arc, Pearl Buck, Freud, Walter Mondale, Frank Sinatra.
Compatibility: Monkey or Rat, not Dog.
In 2000: A very good year with much recognition and progress in work. Success comes easily to all undertakings though this busy and exciting year will keep you occupied and alert. Expect great accomplishments on a grand scale, as you benefit greatly from the energy of the Dragon year. Also many exciting social activities will bring much happiness for you.
Snake: Refined, wise, entrancing, accommodating, deep, attractive, amusing, sympathetic, calm, confident, gentle, intuitive. Also lavish, sore loser, possessive, pushy, fickle, lazy, self-critical, vindictive, quick-tempered. Good as a philosopher, instructor, writer, psychiatrist, or prophesier.
Past Snakes: Carole King, Mao Tse-tung, Edgar Allan Poe, Lincoln.
Compatibility: Rooster or Ox, not Pig.
In 2000: Expect excitement and much activity, but also a difficult year. Best if you occasionally retreat from all action to quietly ponder and meditate. In this way you retain power and end the year ahead. Expect no sizable gains and beware of malicious gossip and jealous associates. The worst of your troubles will be over with by summer and the cold weather will bring welcome news. A year to avoid extravagances and hold on to money.
Horse: Outgoing, athletic, articulate, sentimental, confident, hard-working, independent. Also unfeeling, selfish, egocentric, hot-tempered, rebellious, unemotional, rude, impatient, pragmatic. Good as an adventurer, scientist, poet, politician.
Past Horses: Spiro Agnew, Neil Armstrong, Leonard Bernstein, e.e. cummings, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Jim Croce, Chris Evert, Rembrandt, Chopin, Teddy Roosevelt.
Compatibility: Tiger or Dog, not a Rat.
In 2000: Expect extremes of highs and lows under the Dragon's stormy influence with many unsteady and unsettled affairs and worries. You may feel ununstable and stressed, but you benefit by spending time with family and friends and maintaining an optimistic attitude. The storm will blow over and there will be less damage than predicted. This is a time to look to the bright side of life, cultivate friends and placate enemies.
Sheep (or Goat): Persistent, rational, peace-loving, inventive, adaptable, tasteful. Also pessimistic, discontented, intrusive, unsure, undisciplined, late. Good as an actor, gardener, beachcomber.
Past Sheep: Mick Jagger, Michelangelo, Valentino, Mark Twain, Orville Wright.
Compatibility: Pigs, Rabbits, not Ox.
In 2000: Expect a hectic time of stimulation and excitement. Under the Dragon's influence, you can find happiness, success, and romance, but take care with finances and avoid being overactive, as this will lead to illness. Marginal gains, numerous disputes but no major calamities. Hard to save money but you can ride out the storm if you do not gamble or make drastic life changes.
Monkey: Analytical, humorous, inventive, skilled in business, independent, clever, magnetic personality. Also opportunistic, conceited, unprincipled, untrustworthy, unfaithful, childish, distrustful. Good in any field.
Past Monkeys: Elizabeth Taylor, Yul Brynner, Julius Caeser, Leonardo da Vinci, Harry Truman.
Compatibility: Dragon, Rat, not Tigers.
In 2000: This is one of your best years in the twelve-year cycle, filled with fun and excitement. However, the entertainment can be costly so practice financial restraint. Expect gains in the form of knowledge, not tangible or immediately realized. Troubles and unsettled differences cloud the mind and you may have to spend your savings to push plans through. This is a year to watch and learn, not speculate.
Rooster: Lively, candid, resourceful, courageous, generous, adventurous, confident, sincere, talented. Also arrogant, nit-pick, suspicious, braggarts, sermonizing, brazen. Good as a publicist, soldier, world traveler, or restaurant owner.
Past Roosters: Rudyard Kipling, Caruso, Groucho Marx, Peter Ustinov.
Compatibility: Snakes, Ox, not Rabbits.
In 2000: One of your best years in the twelve-year cycle, filled with success, rewards and good luck. Excellent year for marriage. Good and prosperous year. Expect success and maybe a promotion, as well as birth or marriages in your family. However, home and health may be frustrating, leaving you tense and tired.
Dog: Brave, faithful, generous, intelligent, philosophical, unpretentious. Also guarded, introverted, critical, stubborn, fault-finding, sardonic, pessimistic. Good as a business person, activist, instructor, or secret agent.
Past Dogs: Pierre Cardin, Norman Mailer, Carol Burnett, Alan Arkin, Elvis, Socrates, Benjamin Franklin, George Gershwin.
Compatibility: Horse or Tiger, not Dragons.
In 2000: Expect difficulties because the Dragon is opposite the Dog in the twelve-year cycle. Dramatics and intense emphasis on financial success is uninteresting to you, so best to keep quiet and act with caution. Expect constant competition and people taking advantage of your weak position. Also beware of infections and contagious. This is a time to lie low and join forces with others. However, expect good news in the winter.
Pig: Faithful, amiable, scrupulous, charitable, fair, sensitive, peaceful, impartial, sincere. Also defenseless, cynical, obstinate, insecure, gullible. Good as an entertainer, or lawyer.
Past Pigs: Al Capone, Henry Kissinger, Woody Allen, Diahann Carroll, Ernest Hemingway.
Compatibility: Rabbit or Sheep, not Snake or other Pigs.
In 2000: Expect a good year with social activities, feasting, and celebration. Success is foreseen at work, including recognition and respect from others. Expect to win the support of powerful people and please superiors while gaining recognition and the respect your coworkers. Smooth family life but some health upsets or loss of personal belongings.
The Monster Nian
The word Nian, the modern Chinese word for "year," was originally the name of a monster that preyed on people at night before the beginning of a New Year. The beast Nian was said to have a large mouth capable of swallowing many people with one bite. The people were afraid and could not find a way to rid themselves of this dreadful beast. One day an old man appeared, offering to subdue Nian. To Nian he said, "I hear that you are very capable, but can you swallow the other beasts of prey on earth instead of the people who are by no means worthy opponents to you?"
So Nian proceeded to swallow as many of the beasts of prey on earth as possible, and soon after the old man, later discovered to be an immortal god, vanished riding the beast Nian. With Nian and the remaining beasts of prey scared into the forest, people began to enjoy life again. However, before leaving the people, the old man had told the people to place red paper decorations on their windows and doors at each year's end to scare Nian away should he ever run loose again, because red is the color the beast feared the most.
From then on, the tradition of observing the conquest of Nian was carried on from generation to generation. The term Guo Nian, which may means Survive the Nian today has translates to Celebrate the (New) Year as the word Guo in Chinese means both pass-over and observe. The custom of putting up red paper and lighting fire-crackers to scare away Nian in the case of his return is still around today; however, people have forgotten the origins behind this tradition though continue to celebrate with these traditions at the end of each year.
The Chinese zodiac can be fun and informative. Whether for amusement or as a tool for self-knowledge or decision-making, the Chinese zodiac can open one's eyes to new ideas and limitless possibilities.Sources: For more information on the Chinese zodiac, we recommend the sources used for this article:
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau
Susan White's Cat (Suzanne White's Chinese Astrology) by Suzanne White.
Taoist Astrology: A Handbook of the Authentic Chinese Tradition by Susan Levitt with Jean Tang
Secrets of Chinese Astrology: A Handbook for Self-Discovery by Kwan Lau
The Complete Book of Chinese Horoscopes by Lori Reid
