Chinese Zodiac 十二生肖

Chinese Zodiac is based on the traditional Chinese Lunar Calendar that was made as per the moon movements. There are 12 animals for the Chinese Zodiac, and each of them dominates one year to constitute 12-year circle repeatedly. The history of Chinese Zodiac can be traced back 2200 years ago. There are many legency about the animal years, but most scholars believe it is originated from warship of animals.
These 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tigre, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig that take turns to represent each year.
As each anima has its own characteristic, Chinese believe that person who was born in that animal year will have the common personalities similar to this animal.

Characteristics of Chinese Zodiac
Rat     Cunning and inventive
Ox    Strong and steady.
Tiger   Brave and open minded.
Rabbit   Caution and strict.
Dragon  Attractive and charismatic.
Snake  Sleek, graceful, intelligent, and ever so slightly sly.
Horse Forging ahead without unity leads to abandonment.
Goat     Caring, thoughtful and calm.
Monkey  Inquisitive, sharp-witted, agile.
Rooster   Being constant without changeability leads to woodenness.
Dog     Fidelity and loyalty.
Pig Amiability, affable, and friendly

Chinese Zodiac Birth Year

Rat: 1924,1936,1948,1960,1972,1984,1996

Ox: 1925,1937,1949,1961,1973,1985,1997

Tiger: 1926,1938,1950,1962,1974,1986,1998

Rabbit: 1927,1939,1951,1963,1975,1987,1999

Dragon: 1928,1940,1952,1964,1976,1988,2000

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: 1933,1945,1957,1969,1981,1993,2005

Dog: 1924,1946,1958,1970,1982,1994,2006

Pig: 1935,1947,1959,1971,1983,1995,2007