Analysis: Chinese people believe the year a person is born determines their personality traits, career, marriage, compatibility and fortune
With the Chinese New Year coming up, it is worth trying to understand the Chinese Zodiac. The zodiac and its variations are popular in many East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.
The Chinese zodiac consists of a 12-year cycle, each year is named after a different animal: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. It might be surprising that the twelve-year cycle should start with the year of the Mouse, the smallest of the twelve animals.
From TED-Ed, Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen recount the classic myth behind the Chinese Zodiac
As the legend goes, there was a bitter quarrel among the animals as to who would be included on the list of 12 zodiac signs and the rank in the cycle. Finally, they decided to settle the dispute with "the Great Race". During the race, the robust ox was in the lead all the way, but he did not notice that the tiny mouse had hopped on his back. As the ox was approaching the end, the mouse jumped down and hit the finish line first. The disappointed ox had to settle for second place. The pig finished last in the race and accordingly was assigned to the final year of the cycle.
You may ask why the cat was not included among the 12 zodiac signs. The answer is a story of friendship and betrayal. The cat and mouse were best friends. The cat liked to sleep late so he asked the mouse to wake him up on the morning of registration for "the Great Race". The mouse agreed to do so.
The next day, the mouse woke up early and thought 'the cat runs faster than me. If I wake him up, he will get there ahead of me' so she didn't wake the cat. The cat woke up, was late for the race, came in 13th and that is why the cat is missing from the Chinese zodiac. Filled with rage, the cat chased the mouse he once thought of as a friend. Since that time, the cat and mouse have been sworn enemies.
Chinese Zodiac years are generally dated by the Chinese lunar calendar (starting at Chinese New Year). According to the Chinese zodiac cycle, 2023 is the year of the Rabbit, starting from Chinese New Year on January 22nd, 2023 and lasting to February 9th, 2024.
The Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, prosperity and wit in Chinese culture. Chinese people believe the year a person is born determines their personality traits, career, marriage, compatibility and fortune. Let’s have a look at each zodiac sign of the 12 animals.
The Mouse
Years: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032.
Strengths: Adaptive, smart, resourceful, optimistic, outgoing
Weaknesses: Timid, picky, deceitful, lack of persistence, self-centered
Most compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Ox.
The Ox
Years : 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033.
Strengths: Faithful, diligent, honest, patient, reliable, responsible, logical
Weaknesses: Conservative, gloomy, stubborn, overcautious
Most compatible with: Snake, Rooster, Mouse
From TED, ShaoLan Hseuh on how the Chinese zodiac is believed to influence your personality, career, marriage prospects and how you'll do in a given year.
The Tiger
Years: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034.
Strengths: Courageous, confident, competitive, optimistic, adventurous
Weaknesses: Rebellious, emotional, dramatic, selfish
Most compatible with: Horse, Dragon, Dog
The Rabbit
Years: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035.
Strengths: Gentle, elegant, kind, sensitive, witty
Weaknesses: Vain, superficial
Most compatible with: Goat, Pig, Dog, Monkey
The Dragon
Years: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036.
Strengths: Confident, energetic, intelligent, strong
Weaknesses: Arrogant, aggressive, impatient
Most compatible with: Mouse, Snake, Monkey, Rooster
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show in 2021, former Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu on the traditions around the Chinese New Year
The Snake
Years: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037.
Strengths: Talented, calm, curious, graceful, mysterious, wise
Weaknesses: Possessive, jealous, suspicious, greedy
Most compatible with: Ox and Rooster
The Horse
Years: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038.
Strengths: Active, cheerful, charismatic, considerate, energetic, independent
Weaknesses: Hypocritic, overconfident, stubborn
Most compatible with: Tiger, Dog, Goat, Rabbit
The Goat
Years: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039.
Strengths: Gentle, artistic, calm, creative, imaginative, sociable, sympathetic
Weaknesses: Indecisive, impractical, negative, sentimental
Most compatible with: Rabbit, Pig, Horse
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland in 2019, Cian McCormack reports on the Chinese New Year festival in Dublin
The Monkey
Years: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040.
Strengths: Intelligent, flexible, lively, versatile, humorous
Weaknesses: Impatient, tricky, opportunistic
Most compatible with: Dragon, Mouse, Ox, Rabbit
The Rooster
Years: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041.
Strengths: Ambitious, observant, warm-hearted, outgoing, humorous, independent
Weaknesses: Impatient, self-righteous, egoistic, boastful
Most compatible with: Ox, Snake, Dragon
The Dog
Years: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042.
Strengths: Brave, loyal, quick-witted, clever, lively, responsible
Weaknesses: Sensitive, stubborn, emotional
Most compatible with: Horse, Tiger, Rabbit
The Pig
Years: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043.
Strengths: Compassionate, caring, diligent, generous, sincere, persuasive
Weaknesses: Realistic, emotional, pessimistic, self-indulgent
Most compatible with: Rabbit, Goat, Tiger
Happy year of the Rabbit! 兔年快乐
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
