If you are like me, then sometimes, a cursory look at a zodiac sign chart might have you feeling very personally attacked. According to most I have looked at in reference to my own star sign, I blow hot and cold, can be quite obstinate, emotionally withholding, and underwhelmed by those around me at the best of times. If I allow myself to think about it, I might see some merit in these characterizations (character assassinations) of people in my star sign because at times I see these characteristics in full display in myself. But since coming to China, I have had to contend with a whole new way of seeing myself. The question here is not so much “are you a typical Libra or Aquarius?” as much as it is “Under which Chinese zodiac sign were you born?”
Even though belief in this twelve-year zodiac cycle system is waning in this part of the world, for generations this astrological system has been an important part of Chinese culture, coloring predictions of everything from a child’s personality to their destiny from the moment they are born. Much like western astrology, each Chinese zodiac sign, represented by twelve distinct animals, has its own distinct set of traits. Far from being a quaint exercise in supernatural beliefs, this system has dictated matters as serious as marriage by predicting certain zodiac pair compatibility, and even provided guidance on how people should conduct their lives and which aspects of their lives said individuals should focus on.
Now you might be wondering what this has to do with you, and most importantly what it might have to do with your kids. Just because this culture is being subsumed under the more popular western system of astrology, it does not mean that many people in China don’t still value its input in their lives and how it colors their interactions with others. And children are no exception. The older generation are more likely to not only more likely to integrate this system into their own lives, but may also highly appreciate knowledge of the same from their foreign acquaintances and friends. So here is a cheat sheet to talk about yourself and your little one in terms of Chinese astrology.
Rat
1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008 belong to the rat zodiac sign. If you and your little one fall under this sign then you are considered wise and quick-witted. You can be charming and delicate, but also quite ambitious and practical. In other words, you are not only clever about charming the pants off of people, but you are also suave about it. Be that as it may, your drawback might be your legendary stubbornness, and at times you are more timid than needed. You are on the gabby-Annie list as you like to gossip and you also have the tendency to mouth off. So much for being charming!
Ox
If you were born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, or 2009, you’re an ox. The adage of “as strong as a bull” might originate from you and your lot as you are considered to be hardworking, ambitious and quite creative. Honesty is yet another of your strong virtues, along with patience. However, much like the animal itself, your negative traits include being rather stubborn, slow, narrow-minded and indifferent. In other words, you don’t place much stock in what other people think about you. You will do what you want as and when you are good and ready, and not a moment before.
Tiger
1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010 belong to the tiger zodiac sign. Straight out of the gate, this is a cool sign to be associate with aesthetically. Who wouldn’t want to be a tiger? You and the animal in question have much in common, including bravery and being competitive. You also experience quite a bit of luck in your endeavors and maybe as a result you are a friendly, easygoing person. But like most felines, you are known to be grumpy and easily irritable. You are prone to overindulgence and you aren’t shy when it comes to bragging.
Rabbit
1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011 belong to the rabbit. You will be happy to know that your zodiac sign is considered a symbol of longevity and good luck. You and this cute little lapid have much in common, including a tendency towards caution and gentleness. You are also known to be friendly, intelligent and kindhearted in nature. However your tendency to place a premium on caution might result in a melancholic outlook on life. You are also no stranger to superficiality and can be quite stubborn if you so wish.
Dragon
If you were born in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, or 2012, you belong to the dragon zodiac sign. Apart from the cool visual references invoked by this sign, it is also the sign that represents authority and good fortune. You are as powerful and courageous as your sign implies. Even though you are the breather of fire, you are considered quite successful at all you do and surprisingly kindhearted to boot. However your fire-blowing abilities get you in trouble as your temper and tactlessness know no bounds. You can be quite conceited, and maybe owing to your power, you are considered to be overconfident. In other words, even though you can be nice, you can also be quite full of yourself and a pain when you get upset.
Snake
1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013 belong to the snake zodiac sign. Your sign represents flexibility, and it’s easy to see why. You slither with great discreetness, agility, and wisdom. Forget about the vicious reputation of your corresponding animal, you are considered to be sympathetic and not too shabby either. Be that as it may, you are no stranger to a bit of arrogance. It might be because you always know what to do when you need it, but you can also be quite lazy and rather greedy. Maybe you have the makings of a hoarder? Who’s to say?
Horse
If you were born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, or 2014, you’re a horse. Your sign is associated with persistence. The idiom of “a workhorse” is rather apt. You are considered easy-going and warmhearted. It is good to know that you aren’t considered skittish like your animal equivalent. However you are considered a butterfingers with your money. You never run short of ways to spend it, which is about all you are persistent with as you lack follow-through in much else. Ouch!
Goat
1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015 belong to the goat zodiac sign. Your sign represents harmony and solidarity. Much like your animal equivalent, you are rather shy. You are also a dreamer as you are considered imaginative and determined enough to follow through with your goals. You however tend towards instant gratification as you are short-sighted. You are also prone to bouts of pessimism.
Monkey
1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, and 2016 belong to the monkey horoscope sign. Your sign is associated with flexibility. Much like your animal equivalent, you are positively dripping with energy, charisma, confidence and intelligence. You are also considered to be inventive which comes in handy when in a crisis, but most importantly, you are a loyal friend and worker. On the other hand, you are considered to be fidgety and restless. You have a massive ego and often turn your nose up to people and things that don’t impress you. In other words, you are a bit of a snob.
Rooster
1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017 belong to the rooster zodiac sign. Your sign is the epitome of punctuality and fidelity. You are considered to be independent as you prefer to take the path least traveled, and do so with much courage. You are also hardworking, honest and do not think twice about sharing the little or the much that you have. Your kind nature might turn against you however, as you are known to get easily enamored by others even when it is undeserved. You also have a streak of arrogance running through you.
Dog
If you were born in 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, or 2018, you belong to the dog zodiac sign. You and your animal equivalent share the much valued characteristics of loyalty and honesty. You are happy-go-lucky, friendly, and honest about your intentions at all times. Others are to be wary around you however as you might be critical of them, stubborn, and unwilling to take suggestions, or even quite cold to others. In other words, even though you might have a heart of gold, it has no qualms about freezing over at a moment’s notice.
Pig
Pig takes the twelfth, and last, place among the animal signs of the Chinese Zodiac, and it represents wealth and good fortune. 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 belong to the pig. Forget all you might have heard or thought about the humble swine. In this list, you are the epitome of wealth and good fortune. You are a happy, brave, honest and fun-loving individual who is sincere about their intentions. You are also considered to be well educated. But despite your being a good luck charm, it doesn’t save you from naivete and a self indulgent nature which is a drawback for those who interact with you. You are also no stranger to a bit of stubbornness. Laziness is hardwired into your system.
Obviously, these are rather broad strokes used to paint an entire set of people born in specific years. It will however be highly appreciated if used correctly. So the next time you go in for a parent-teacher conference, it might be fun to try it out to describe your child or yourself in these terms. At the very least, you might incite a hearty chuckle from your Chinese counterparts, who might volunteer zodiac insights of their own.
photos: Alpha Coders, astrologybay.com
