Rabbit: People born in 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999,
and 2011.
Dragon: People born in 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988,
2000, and 2012.
Snake: People born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001,
and 2013.
Horse: People born in 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002,
and 2014.
Sheep: People born in 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003,
and 2015.
Monkey: People born in 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992,
2004, and 2016.
Cock: People born in 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005,
and 2017.
Dog: People born in 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006,
and 2018.
Pig: People born in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007,
and 2019.
In contrast to the Western year, the Chinese year begins on variable dates (on
the second new moon after the winter solstice) in late January or early February. Hence,
someone born on January 10, 1911, for instance, would be a Dog rather than a Pig.
In a manner that contrasts with the way in which the four classical elements of
classical Western philosophy are associated with the 12 signs of the Western zodiac,
the five elements of East Asian philosophy—earth, fire, water, metal, and wood—are
associated with the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac. Instead of being an integral associ-
ation (e.g., Sagittarius is always a fire sign, Pisces is always a water sign, etc.), the ele-
mental associations vary from year to year in Chinese astrology. For example, a Tiger
person born in 1950 is a metal Tiger; a Tiger born in 1962 is a water Tiger; a Tiger born
in 1974 is a wood tiger; etc. These elemental differences are reflected in somewhat dif-
ferent personality profiles. The other nuances of the Chinese system are explored in
the entry on Chinese astrology.
Much is often made of the compatibility between the signs of the Chinese
zodiac. Harmonious unions, particularly marriages, are regarded as best between Rats,
Dragons, and Monkeys; between Oxen, Snakes, and Cocks; between Tigers, Horses,
and Dogs; and between Rabbits, Sheep, and Pigs. The most inharmonious relation-
ships are between Rats, Rabbits, Horses, and Cocks; between Oxen, Dragons, Sheep,
and Dogs; and between Tigers, Snakes, Monkeys, and Pigs.
Sources:
Brau, Jean-Louis, Helen Weaver, and Allan Edmans. Larousse Encyclopedia of Astrology.New
York: New American Library, 1980.
Lau, Theodora. The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes.4th ed. New York: Harper, 2000.
Logan, Daniel. Your Eastern Star: Oriental Astrology, Reincarnation and the Future.New York:
William Morrow & Company, 1972.
Starr, Amanda. Chinese Astrology.Hod Hasharon, Israel: Astrolog, 2002.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [151]
Chinese Zodiac