The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac includes 12 Earthly Branches, which we know as the animals of the zodiac.

At the time of the zodiac’s inception, thousands of years ago, most people were illiterate, so the use of animals helped people remember the 12 branches as well as the characteristics they embodied. In chronological order, the animals are: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

The Years of the Rat include: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, and 2032

The good news is, rats are ambitious, problem-solving, and loose with the purse strings. They are also volatile, suspicious, critical, and power-hungry. Their fields of success include writing, movie criticism, public relations, and sales. They get along with monkeys and dragons, but not horses.

The Years of the Ox include: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, and 2033

The good news is, the ox is a strong person and a leader of people. They are generally successful, forthright, and conservative. Their fields of success include hairdressing and medicine. Oxen get along with snakes and roosters, but not sheep.

The Years of the Tiger include: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, and 2034

The good news is, tigers are charming, brave, easygoing, and capable of great love, though they are big risk-takers. They are also aggressive and unpredictable. Their fields of success include outdoor adventuring, management, and bullfighting. They get along with horses or dogs, but not monkeys.

The Years of the Hare include: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, and 2036

The good news is, hares are loving, talented, kindly, and obliging. They like routine and security. They are also overly cautious, wary of conflict, and afraid of risk-taking. Their fields of success include general business, law, acting, and diplomacy. They get along with sheep and pigs, but not roosters.

The Years of the Dragon include: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, and 2036

The good news is, dragons are smart and talented go-getters. They are also gauche, noisy, bossy, and even unfaithful. Their fields of success include politics, art, and spiritual guidance. They get along with roosters and snakes, but not sheep.

The Years of the Snake include: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2015, and 2037

The good news is, snakes are clever, determined, passionate, romantic, wise, intuitive, attractive, and charming. They are also vain, stingy, and prone to putting things off. Their fields of success include writing, teaching, mental sciences, philosophy, and TV psychic. They get along with roosters or oxen, but not so much with pigs.

The Years of the Horse include: 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, and 2038

The good news is, horses make good buddies, as they work hard while remaining cheerful and friendly. They make friends easily. They are also impatient because they think they’re better than the people around them, which leads to selfishness, too. Their fields of success include science, politics, poetry, and literature. They get along with tigers and dogs, but not rats.

The Years of the Sheep include: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, and 2039

The good news is, sheep are charming, down to earth, artistic, and warm. They are also pessimistic, timid, a bit whiney, and don’t handle pressure well. Their fields of success include acting, landscaping, and creative loafing. They get along with hares or pigs, but not oxen.

The Years of the Monkey include: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, and 2040

The good news is, monkeys are clever, creative, intuitive, and entertaining, making friends easily. They are also untrustworthy, dangerous, and apt to give up in the face of adversity. Their fields of success include just about anything they can get their paws on. They get along with dragons or rats, but not tigers.

The Years of the Rooster include: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, and 2041

The good news is, roosters are decision makers, hardworking, precise, and bold. They are also arrogant, egocentric, and pushy. Their fields of success include the military, public relations, and the restaurant business. They get along with snakes and oxen, but should avoid hares.

The Years of the Dog include: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, and 2042

The good news is, dogs are loyal, sharing, smart, and quiet. They are also stubborn, introverted, and angst-ridden. Their fields of success include teaching, political activism, and management. They get along with tigers and horses, but should watch out for dragons.

The Years of the Pig include: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2020, and 2031

The good news is, pigs are honest, dependable, tolerant, intellectual, and affectionate. They are also impulsive, naïve, and short tempered. Their fields of success include finance, law, and entertainment. They get along with sheep and hares.

To find a recipe that complements your Chinese Zodiac sign, click here.