Chinese Zodiac (十二生肖)

ChineseZodiacOrigin•Inancienttimes,inordertomakepeopleeasilyremembertheyears,ourancestorscameupwithanidea——usingtheanimalstorepresenttheyears.•Rat,Ox,Tiger,Rabbit,Dragon,Snake,Horse,Sheep,Monkey,Rooster,Dog,andBoar.LegendtheJadeEmperor玉皇大帝Allthetwelveanimalsgatheredattheriverbankandjumpedin./Unknowntotheox,therathadjumpeduponhisback./Astheoxwasabouttojumpashore,theratjumpedofftheox’sback,andwontherace./Thepig,whowasverylazy,endeduplast./Thatiswhytheratisthefirstyearoftheanimalcycle,theoxsecond,andthepiglast.Rat•Charming•Imaginative•Trulygeneroustothepeopletheylove•RatscanbegreedyAmousecanseeonlyaninch.鼠目寸光OX•Patient•Theendurancewillbringthemgreatsuccess•Mentallyandphysicallyalert•Theoxcanbeverystubbornandangereasily.Castpealsbeforeswine.对牛弹琴WhoamI？Rabbit•Gentle•Friendly•Articulate•RabbitscanbeshyandsentimentalTiger•Brave•Adventurous•Sensitive•Tigerscanbequick-temperedandsuspiciousNothingventure,nothinghave.不入虎穴焉得虎子Dragon•Energetic•Imaginative•Self-assured•DragonscanbemoodyHorse•Popular•Wise•Talented•Goodwiththeirhands•HorsescanbeimpatientandrarelylistentoadviceSnake•Charming•Wise•Graceful•SnakescanbestingyAburntchilddreadsthefire.一朝被蛇咬十年怕井绳Goat•Elegant•Compassionate•Highlyaccomplishedinthearts•Goatscanbeindecisive,pessimisticandpuzzledaboutlifeAnarrowwindingtrail.羊肠小道Monkey•Clever•Skillful•Flexible•Innovative•MonkeyscanbeboastfulRooster•Reliable•Hard-working•Deepthinkers•RoosterscanberathervainandselfishEvenfowlsanddogsarenotspared.鸡犬不宁Dog•Loyal•Helpful•Positive•DogshaveatendencytoworrytoomuchandaresomewhateccentricAdogwillleapoverawallindesperation.狗急跳墙Boar•Chivalrous•Honest•alwaysputothersbeforethemselves•PigscanberecklessEnvyalwaysshootsatahighmark.人怕出名猪怕壮One’sOwnChineseZodiac本命年•One’sownChineseZodiacisbelievedtobeabadyearfullofunexpectedturns.Soitisadvisabletowardoffdisastersandspinthefortunebysomemeans,forinstance,wearingtheredunderwear&socks,whichisstillpopulartodayinNorthChinaamongtheHans.