Whether or not you’re a believer in fate and destiny, most of us quite like the idea of our lives having some rhyme or reason to them. We read with interest our horoscope in magazines, and willingly put money in machines in exchange for a little piece of card that’s supposed to reveal our future.
Such systems of belief hail from all around the world, and one of the most interesting are the Chinese zodiac. Granted, although we’ve probably heard of it, it’s not something we’re very familiar within the West. While it does share similarities with Western astrology, this Eastern equivalent suggests it’s not your birthday that determines what’s ahead, but which year of the lunar calendar you were born in.
So what does this mean for you?
The order of the Chinese zodiac
As insiders at the TheCircle explain, classic astrology turns on the principle that the movement and position of the planets and stars have an influence on our lives – in particular, where these where at the time we were born.
The Chinese zodiac works on the concept of a 12-year cycle, which categorizes the year of your birth according to the lunar calendar. For each year, there is an animal assigned to represent the personality and character of these individuals.
According to folklore, this cycle harks back to an ancient feast, which the Jade Emperor invited each of these 12 to attend. The order in which the creatures arrived is the order of the Chinese zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.
Your personality according to the Chinese zodiac
The Chinese zodiac suggests that the year in which you were born influences your character traits and the path your life will take. No matter whether you put a store in such beliefs, it’s still pretty interesting to see what the stars have to say about you, so here’s a quick breakdown.
Rats
Rats are said to be smart, resourceful, funny, and kind. Although their curiosity and aptitude for learning can take them far in life, their timidity and lack of assertiveness mean they’re not well suited to leadership roles.
Ox
The ox is hardworking and determined, but this can occasionally manifest itself as stubbornness. Most will be lucky enough to lead long and healthy lives, but taking time out to relax will be rare as oxen don’t understand the concept of downtime.
Tiger
Tigers are competitive, confident, brave, and bold. Ideally suited to leadership roles, they cannot resist the lure of a challenge. Their main downfall is that they can be hotheads who rush into things without properly assessing them first.
Rabbit
Rabbits are kind and affectionate. They do have a tendency to be overly sentimental and to miss out on opportunities because of their cautious nature, but their positive personality traits endear them to everyone.
Dragon
Dominant, ambitious, and assertive, dragons are a true force of nature. Although they can be rash, their boundless energy and enthusiasm mean they almost always succeed at the things they set their minds to.
Snake
Easily stressed, snakes appreciate the simple things in life. Although they’re clever and wise, they prefer not to push themselves out of their comfort zones and have a habit of procrastinating when they feel overwhelmed. Their raw intuition is unparalleled.
Horse
Workhorses in every sense, this zodiac sign pushes themselves hard. However, horses can become mired down by their responsibility, so they must be careful not to overexert themselves. Sociable and pleasant, horses tend to be popular and to have more friends than they can keep track of.
Goat
Goats are thoughtful, honest, and prefer to fade into the background. Naturally calm, with an unassailable inner strength, they usually enjoy good health and strong, long-lasting relationships.
Monkey
Mischievous, witty, and intelligent, monkeys don’t always know when to stop. That said, they’re always fun to be around and have lots of friends as a result.
Rooster
Confident and shrewd, roosters can sometimes come across as arrogant when you first meet them. That said, they’re actually very sociable and pleasant to be around – even if they are attention seekers on occasion!
Dog
Loyal and faithful, dogs expect the same behavior from those around them. Although they can be stubborn, they’re always there for those who need them.
Pig
Generous and compassionate, pigs are nonetheless ambitious. They’ll work hard to achieve their goals, but never at the expense of others.
Tell us, does your Chinese zodiac seem like a good fit for your personality, or is it actually completely off the mark?