The 12 Animals of the Chinese zodiac, their dates and their characteristics...
 

The year of birth indicates a certain phase or aspect of a sixty-year 'cycle of time'. The cycle is divided into 12 animals, which represent each year. The start of the each year is a lunar one, based on the cycles of the moon. Because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February.

We sell various products related to Chinese Astrology such as gift packs and Chinese Animal Seal Chops, so the following will guide your choice of animal. The date in brackets show the 1st day of the new year.

RAT  -  Year 1912 (Jan 30), 1924 (Feb 5), 1936  (Jan 24), 1948 (Feb 10), 1960 (Jan 20), 1972 (Feb 16), 1984 (Feb 2), 1996 (Feb 19)
People born in the year of the Rat adapt themselves very well to a changing environment and are experts in ingratiating themselves to others.  However, they have a very short attention span.

OX  -  Year 1913 (Feb 6), 1925 (Jan 25), 1937 (Feb 11), 1949, (Jan 29) 1961 (Feb 15), 1973 (Feb 3), 1985 (Feb 20), 1997 (Feb 7)
People born in the year of the Ox are hardworking and responsible.  Loyalty and diligence are their characteristics. They tend to be stubborn and take unnecessary trouble to set things right for themselves.

TIGER  -  Year 1914 (Jan 26), 1926 (Feb 13), 1938 (Jan 21), 1950 (Feb 17), 1962 (Feb 5), 1974 (Jan 23), 1986 (Feb 9), 1998 (Jan 28)
People born in the year of the Tiger are exceptionally self-confident and have a strong sense of superiority over others.  They crave for success and will go all out for it.  The tiger possesses an adventurous spirit and the ability to overcome obstacles.

RABBIT  -  Year 1915 (Feb 14), 1927 (Feb 2), 1939 (Feb 19), 1951 (Feb 6), 1963 (Jan 25), 1975 (Feb 11), 1987 (Jan 29), 1999 (Feb 16)
People born in the year of the Rabbit are even-tempered, gentle and honest.  They are sharp and observant, but tend to be passive and lack creativity.

DRAGON  -  Year 1916 (Feb 3), 1928 (Jan 23), 1940 (Feb 8), 1952 (Jan27), 1964 (Feb 13), 1976 (Jan 31), 1988 (Feb 17), 2000 (Feb 5)
People born in the year of the Dragon are refined, respectable and have a sacred air about them.  They are easy-going, willing to take risks and are full of imagination, but tend to be more stubborn than most in their thinking & behaviour.

SNAKE  -  Year 1917 (Jan 23), 1929 (Feb 10), 1941 (Jan 27), 1953 (Feb 14), 1965 (Feb 2), 1977 (Feb 18), 1989 (Feb 6), 2001 (Jan 24)
People born in the year of the Snake are very ambitious, full of fighting spirit and in possession of exceptional abilities.  They are also adaptable, witty & quick-thinking.

HORSE  -  Year 1918 (Feb 11), 1930 (Jan 30), 1942 (Feb 15), 1954 (Feb 3), 1966 (Jan 21), 1978 (Feb 7), 1990 (Jan 27), 2002 (Feb 12)
People born in the year of the Horse are very independent, open-minded and full of enthusiasm in carrying out their duties.  They will not hesitate to retaliate in the face of oppression.  Because of their frankness, they are unable to keep secrets.

SHEEP  -  Year 1919 (Feb 1), 1931 (Feb 17), 1943 (Feb 3), 1955 (Jan 24), 1967 (Feb 9), 1979 (Jan 28), 1991 (Feb 15), 2003 (Feb 1)
People born in the year of the Sheep are extremely patient, persevering and adaptable.  They are also refined, loyal and introverted.  They are attentive & considerate towards others.  However, they also have extraordinary inner strength.

MONKEY  -  Year 1920 (Feb 20), 1932 (Feb 6), 1944 (Jan 23), 1956 (Feb 1), 1968 (Jan 30), 1980 (Feb 16), 1992 (Feb 4), 2004 (Jan 22)
People born in the year of the Monkey love being in the limelight and always become leaders in their community.  They are also easy-going and very adaptable.  On the flip side, they are impatient, restless, not easily contented and lack far-sightedness.

ROOSTER  -  Year 1921 (Feb 8), 1933 (Jan 26), 1945 (Feb 13), 1957 (Jan 31), 1969 (Feb 17), 1981 (Feb 5), 1993 (Jan 23), 2005 (Feb 9)
People born in the year of the Rooster usually have good foresight and are perceptive.  They show enthusiasm in the things they do and will not tolerate sloppiness.  However, impatience and worrying unnecessarily are their biggest drawbacks.

DOG  -  Year 1922 (Jan 28), 1934 (Feb 14), 1946 (Feb 2), 1958 (Feb 18), 1970 (Feb 6), 1982 (Jan 25), 1994 (Feb 10), 2006 (Jan 29)
People born in the year of the Dog are quick thinking and observant, they also have a great sense of humour and the gift of the gab.  Their weaknesses are lack in good judgments and unable to keep secrets.

PIG  -  Year 1923 (Feb 16), 1935 (Feb 4), 1947 (Jan 22), 1959 (Feb 8), 1971 (Jan 27), 1983 (Feb 13), 1995 (Jan 31), 2007 (Feb 18)
People born in the year of the Pig are very self-confident and self-centred.  They are also full of vigour and determination.  They possess good leadership qualities.  However, stubborn and subjective in thinking are their weaknesses.