chinese horoscopes personality traits

Are you a pig?  Do you know a rat? As soon as questions like these are asked an image of a person with these animal traits come into your mind.  Is it just coincident that people born in certain years share characteristics with these animals?   I would like to explore and share with you some of the things I have learnt and observed over the years about Chinese horoscopes.

The animals in the Chinese horoscopes can be split loosely into two major groups, farmyard and jungle.  There are two exceptions to this, the rat, which can live in both, and the dragon that lives in neither.  My family members are mainly from the farmyard group, steady reliable, sensible, calm people.  Until that is our only snake from the jungle comes by, then suddenly, everyone is animated, loud, jumpy aggravated, just by her appearance.  It’s mad, everyone is nervous of her; everyone wants to please her not wanting to make her cross.  Just like the animals in a farmyard might react to a snake, the family is on high alert. The other way round is no better either, a group of tigers and a monkey were larking around at work, when a group from the farmyard joined them.  It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown.  Within minutes the group calmed, stopped laughing, then, quietly drifted away. So here is a list of some of the individual traits and characteristics of the Chinese animals. 

Cool, calm and collective, that’s the snake, smiling sweetly and waiting to pounce.  Their timing is impeccable, a quick remark, a cutting comment and the snake has claimed another victim. Very articulate and poised the snake has a charm that is admired by those around them. Very successful in business the snake is often self employed and loves the cut and thrust of the market place.  In the family the snake can appear cold, but this is far from the truth and would willingly sacrifice all for their nearest and dearest.  If you ever have a problem in your life, go to the nearest snake.  They will sort it or die trying.  The snake is the best person to have on your side in times of trouble; they will never let you down.

Everyone loves the rat; they are happy, kind and gentle, on the surface. Deep down they like to plan and scheme. A rat will not do anything unless it is beneficial to them; if they do a good deed, watch and think to yourself, ‘what will they get from this?’ there will be something. Like I said before, the rat fits into both the jungle and the farmyard, and can be seen scurrying from group to group carrying gossip. Though any really important information will stay with them and not be handed on. Rats are brilliant speakers and make good salesmen, after dinner speakers and teachers.

What do you think of when you see these two animals? Slow, strong, hard working and reliable. That’s right people born in either of these years have all these traits they also love to be the martyr, new ideas are met with a neigh and they like to stay in their rut. However ignore them at your peril, both anger very easily and blow their tops very notably. If you ever see an ox in a temper you will never forget it. In the workplace a horse is often the backbone of the company driving the people around them to keep going, not to make waves and keeping the status quo. In a family the horse and the ox are the rock that people cling to, going to them for advise and help. It is very easy for both these creatures to be taken advantage of and I have seen both of these stressed to the maximum and have their health suffer as a consequence. So if you are a horse or an ox learn to say no.  

Fun, fun fun, that’s both of these animals. Lively, noisy and very active, both these signs are the life and soul of any gathering.  Though beware if you are the parent of children of these groups, you will be ran ragged unless you harness their energies into a positive activity such as a sport. In the workplace a group of monkeys are the ideas people always questioning, WHY? Why are things done this way? Why don’t we try this or that? Monkeys work best in a group gathering ideas and talking through problems.  However the monkey’s interest can be lost very quickly and they often leave things half done and move on to something else.  This is often true in their love life as well, being madly and deeply in love one minute, making the big gesture for all to see, then, gone, moved on to someone new.  The monkey is the sign of the mid-life crisis, aging disgracefully.  So beware.

The tiger is very similar except they like to work alone, or lead a group of passive people which they can control.  They are not shy in telling everyone how great they are or how successful they are, or why a project would have gone wrong without them.  Tiger’s are absolutely full of it.  They say that it’s bulls, that these people are full of, I say it should be changed to tiger’s sh**.  They are daydreamers and wishers, often saying what they will do, might do or could do.  Tigers will blame all around them when things go wrong and go from drama to drama in their lives.  Both tigers and monkeys make excellent writers, or story tellers.   Tigers need for attention make them great actors so should have a career on the stage.  

Sometimes known as the cat these people are easily overlooked.  Shy, retiring and completely forgettable these people hate the limelight and often speak quietly. But if you are wise you will listen to what they have to say as it is often very insightful.  They are great people watchers and can see through the most complicated schemes and plans.  The hare is often the one who will be the undoing of the rat, as the rat will often overlook this quiet, sweet, shy person. Hares are great friends and great parents.  Though they can come across as aloof, stuck up or proud.  Hares work well in personal departments, as physiatrists or social workers 

The goat is a quirky person a bit of an eccentric either in looks or actions. They are their own person and if you don’t like it go away.  They have an opinion of everything and will share it whether you like it or not.  They tell you how things are and will not sugar coat anything. They will not stand by if they think someone is being unkind or if someone is being bullied. The goat will rally to any wrong and take the side of the underdog.  They are very compassionate and usually have a wide circle of friends to whom they are very loyal.  They are great worriers and are often full of woe, a bit of a hypochondriac and a complainer.  The glass is always half empty to a goat. The goat is good at inventing and research and development.

The rooster doesn’t come into a room, they enter. The door is flung wide and you will see all eyes follow this person as they strut across the room, stopping to peck cheeks and crow greetings. They can’t help it is just the way they are.  A natural non affected likeability that oozes from their pores.  If the rooster is male it is 100 per cent man, and if a female then they are preened to perfection. Though underneath this bravado they are usually conservative and easily hurt. They take responsibility very seriously and usually live life to some very old fashioned values.  In the workplace the rooster is a great team player and will seldom take credit for things themselves and because of this they are often overlooked for promotion.  They are genuinely pleased when a friend does well and never forgets a birthday or anniversary.  A rooster is very complicated and you will never truly know them.  A rooster does well in any job that needs a responsible person. Doctor, banker or lawyer. 

These two creatures share some characteristics, honesty and loyalty.  Once they become your friend they are there for life, even if you try to get away.  They make doting parents that share their family’s achievements with everyone. Family is the most important thing to these two and will remain loyal even if their nearest and dearest doesn’t always treat them well. In the workplace these two turn up day after day, never seeking promotion or gratitude.  An honest days work for an honest days pay, is their motto. It’s at rest these two differ; the dog is energetic often chasing the latest gadget or yapping about their latest hobby.  The pig, well they are usually taking resting to a new low level, lying on a sofa, drinking and eating.  Exercise is the only dirty word a pig knows.  However if you like the best food and drink, go to a pig’s house.  You might have to help prepare a meal but all the best things in life are there. The dog can be a quarrelsome soul who enjoys finding fault with the best made plans, so be prepared to fight your corner if you have a new idea or concept.  These two are reliable, dependable, patient and calm in any crisis.  They are seldom emotional and will always give good honest advice.  They make brilliant gardeners, cooks and engineers

The only mythical creature who’s characteristics are larger than life.  The dragons I have met have been loudest and funniest people and always the centre of attention.  They are the host with the most, sharing their time and home with all around them. They have bucket loads of confidence and charm. However, if you have a car, theirs is bigger, if you have new clothes, theirs cost more.  They love to talk about money and respect people with power becoming a bit of a ‘suck up’, to get what they want. A dragon can rise above all competition, but while flying high they can be their own undoing, and crash and burn spectacularly. If a dragon is lucky enough to have power themselves then the people around them will have to make sure it is channeled in the right direction.