Fifty years of 努力 nuli (effort) by the Communist Party can't break
5,000 year-old habits. Even in this day and age, Chinese 老百姓 laobaixing
(common people) are still prone to believing a lot of superstitious
nonsense. Some老外 laowai argue that the Chinese zodiac is just that:
a bunch of superstitious nonsense. But Chinese people swear by its accuracy.
Indeed, the following beliefs are so universally accepted that they've
already made the transition from superstition to stereotype!
老鼠 laoshu Rat
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
People born in the Year of the Rat are 机警 jijing (alert; sharp-witted),
charming and ambitious. They are always busy and can't slow down to
休息 xiuxi (have a rest). Rats have the uncanny ability to sense danger.
They are shrewd and not easily fooled. The rat is a real family person
and devoted to their loved ones. They're generous, hardworking and thrifty.
Rats make good advisers to others but never follow their own advice.
On the negative side, rats are 现实 xianshi (practical) but lack 胆�"
danzi (lit. 'gall-bladder'; courage). What's more, they can be extravagant
and greedy. If the rat is not careful, its greedy side could get it
into trouble. Rats are secretive, self-indulgent and self-seeking. They
love to criticize and gossip. Rats should avoid 信任 xinren (trusting)
other rats or those born in the year of the rabbit or sheep.
Careers suitable for male rats include advertising, catering and hospitality,
music, mass media, and research. For female rats, there抯 beauty, fashion,
film, hotel, writing and being a 卡拉ok小姐 kala OK xiaojie (karaoke
girl).
Rats are gentle and loving, when they aren't cheating on their spouses.
A younger monkey or dragon makes a good companion for the male rat.
A female rat's ideal partner is a dragon or ox. Rats should avoid the
horse, rabbit, and sheep. Famous rats include former U.S. Vice-President
George Bush, Prince Charles, Marlon Brando and D. H. Lawerence.
牛 niu Ox
1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985
Ox people are unhappy with 变化 bianhua (change) and prefer conformity
and convention. The ox person is willing to work hard to acquire all
the things its materialistic little heart desires. Oxes are generally
calm and placid and rarely 发火 fahuo (lose their temper). In the rare
event that they get pissed off however, it would be wise to keep clear,
as they are capable of fearsome, dangerous rages.
The ox person is reliable, sincere, loyal and patient. They have few
but faithful friends. Oxes love their food and drink and like to live
in the lap of luxury. They are also fair and think carefully before
speaking their mind. They are not 浪漫 langman (romantic) but can be
passionate. They are family oriented and faithful, unlike the cheating
rat.
However, oxes are 固执 guzhi (stubborn), rigid and dogmatic, lacking
幽默 youmo (humour). They are also 小气 xiaoqi (stingy), and 天真 tianzhen
(naive) about love. An ox person tends to bear a grudge for a long time.
Famous people born in the Year of the Ox include Richard Nixon, Bruce
Sprinstein, Charlie Chaplin, Adolf Hitler, Vanessa Redgrave, Margaret
Thatcher, Saddam Hussien, Whoopi Goldberg and Paloma Picasso. Oxes are
suited to working as doctors, lawyers, teachers and writers. The ideal
romantic partner for an ox is a rat, rabbit or monkey. Avoid horses,
dragons and sheep.
老虎 laohu Tiger
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1974, 1986, 1998
The tiger is highly regarded in China and reputed to have almost magical
powers. A tiger person is born to command and not to obey. Tigers are
charismatic and dynamic. They are courageous and respected even by those
who oppose them. Tigers stand up for what they think is right.
A tiger person is committed to seeing things through to completion.
Tigers are warm, sincere, honourable and humorous. The tiger person
is also tolerant, understanding and capable of great generosity.
Of course, tigers are not without their imperfections. They are 冲动
chongdong (impulsive), rebellious, and unpredictable. Tigers are also
ill-tempered and egotistical. They hate to obey others and dislike interference.
Marilyn Monroe, John Steinbeck, and Karen Carpenter were all tigers.
In their careers, tigers achieve success early in life but must not
let their own arrogance be their downfall. Tigers should refrain from
acting on implulse, or it may result in financial loss. In their love
lives, tigers get along with horses, dogs and dragons. They don't get
along with snakes, monkeys and rabbits.
鸡 ji Chicken
1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
Also known as the rooster or, the Comrade's personal favorite, the cock.
Roosters have a keen sense of observation, are witty, brave, enthusiastic,
efficient and honest. They love to be noticed and flattered. They are
conscious of their appearance and what they wear.
It is not easy to fool a rooster. Roosters have excellent memories,
and are very intelligent, alert and well-organized. They are also entertaining,
strong-willed and generous to friends. Roosters are confident, clever
at finance, and make outstanding performers. Roosters always keep their
promises.
But nobody's perfect, roosters included. They are boastful, critical
and opinionated. They are also notoriously 挑剔 tiaoti (picky) and easily
misunderstood. Famous cocks include Severiano Ballesteros, and HRH Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh.
If you're a rooster, consider a career in advertising, stage acting,
human resource management, public relations or financial management.
If you're looking for love and can't seem to find it, just lower your
expectations a few notches and you'll surely find someone you can settle
for. Ideal partners for chickens are the ox, snake, and dragon. Stay
away from the rabbit, dog, and rooster. Female chickens make good wives
and mothers because they are both attractive and good at housework.
狗 gou Dog
1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
Despite the fact that Chinese people consume them, dogs are symbols
of loyality and wisdom. The dog is one of the most likeable signs of
the Chinese horoscope. Dogs value honour and enjoy helping other people.
A dog person is loyal, honest and affectionate, and has a deep sense
of justice and fair play. Dogs are willing to fight for principles.
Typical dog flaws include anxiety, a tendency to overestimate dangers,
and hot-headedness. Dogs are bad-tempered when cornered or confronted.
Often simplistic, suspicious and obstinate, dogs are not happy in love.
Michael Jackson and Winston Churchill are both dogs. Dogs should consider
careers in social work, government service or security services. Dogs
are commited to romance and make good spouses and parents but they don't
find true love until they have had countless setbacks and heartbreaks.
Ideal partners for a dog are the horse, rabbit and tiger. The dragon,
sheep, and rooster are bad news.
猪 zhu Pig
1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
The Pig stands for wealth, family and prosperity, happiness and good
luck. While considered a symbol of slop and filth in the West, pigs
are considered jewels of the Chinese horoscope. They are frank, honest,
and trustworthy. A pig person is also tolerant and avoids disputes.
They are peace-loving and enjoy the good things in life but are not
over-indulgent.
Unfortunately, due to the trusting nature of pigs, they often 受骗 shoupian
(get swindled). They are wilful and obstinate, and often make mistakes.
Pigs are simultaneously materalististic and self-sacrificing.
Famous pigs include Elvis Presley, Carl Gustav Jung, and Fred Astaire.
Pigs shouldn't worry about career since they are so lucky with money.
Pigs should avoid doing business because they are easily cheated.They
are family oriented and have happy and long-lasting marraiges. They
are faithful but not romantic. They make good spouses. Pigs are best
paired with a rabbit or sheep. The snake and monkey are best avoided.
The above stereotypes are held as being self-evident in China and are
hardly considered 迷信 mixin (superstition). Be sure to bring them up
whenever possible in conversations with Chinese people. Your knowledge
of the Chinese zodiac will amaze and befuddle your friends.
