ASIAN ZODIAC

The origin of the Asian animal zodiac is lost somewhere in the mists of antiquity. It must have begun, certainly, in some remote past when the relationship of men to animal was close, warm, and sympathetic.
The I Ching (Book of Changes), the most ancient of all Chinese records, shows a map of the heavens called Ssu Fang, with mythical animals having dominion not only over the Four Directions of the Universe, but also over the four seasons of the year. Winter and North were represented by the Black Tortoise (Kuei She), spring and the East by the Blue Dragon (Ch’ing Lung), summer and South by the Phoenix (Chu Ch’ieh), and autumn and West by the White Tiger (Pai Hu).
So, inevitably the animal zodiac was caught up in legend. The tale that recounts the selection of the twelve special animals that make up the cycle related that when lord Buddha lay dying, he summoned all the animals of the forest to bid them farewell. These twelve – the rat, the ox (cow), the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the ram, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig – were the first to reach his bedside and so were honored by selection for this immortality in the order of their arrival.

THE RAT

The rat has been traditionally been a highly respected rodent in the Orient. Despite his universal reputation for trickery and stealth, Asians have always tended to respect the rat for the intelligence he displays in locating, acquiring, and hoarding his booty.

The sole Chinese reservation about the rat seems to be that children born in the year of rat will not become good scholars. The Chinese also think that the rat shows impartiality, he is a good businessmen in making money, but also good to thieves, robbers, and others like it. So, there may be an increase in crime in the rat’s year.

The year of the rat is considered a time of hard work and constant activity, but one that will assure abundant food for everyone. It is a year for steady gain, a little at a time, after the fashion of the rat, who is never idle, who is always seeking food, but who transports it a little at a time, after the fashion of the rat, who is never idle, who is always seeking food, but who transports it a little at a time over the course of the day, never in large bulk. The rat year also stands for timidity and humbleness, a year in which everyone works steadily and patiently but remains humble about success. Because of the rat’s proclivity for rapid multiplication of it’s species, his year also anticipates quick expansion in every fields of human activity.
People born in the year of the rat therefore exhibit these same qualities. They are active, hardworking, their lives marked by constant effort and steady accumulation, a little at a time, rather than by large strokes of fortune. They are patient, alert, persevering, and marked by deep humility. They may learn to the stingy side, with a tendency to pinch pennies, but they save and scrimp and work hard for the things they really want. And to those whom they really love, they are generous, even to the point of squandering their hard-won health.
In general, such people are quite charming in their personalities. They keep themselves in check, although underneath they are capable of a deep, though controlled, anger. They are honest, ambitious, restrained, persistent, given to self-denial, and prone to gossip.
An individual born in rat’s year is best married to someone from the years of the dragon, the monkey or the ox, since such people will be best suited to them temperamentally. Second choice would fall upon someone from the years of the rat, the tiger, the snake, the dog, or the pig. The worst possible choice of mate would be someone born in the year of the horse – especially someone born in the year of fiery horse (which comes once in every sixty years).

THE OX

The Ox goes far back in Chinese history. The venerable sage Lao Tzu is often depicted in art riding on a buffalo. As early as the Shang and Chou Dynasties in China, a favorite decoration and bronzes was the head of such a bovine creature, with wide, flat horns sloping sharply possibly an extinct form of water buffalo, have been found in the excavations at Anyang in Honan Province, dating from the Shang Yin Period.

Although famous for his gentleness, this animal nonetheless possesses irritated or enraged, he can run as fast as a bull and become quite ferocious.
The year of the ox is generally considered a good year, one in which difficulties can be overcome by steady, patient effort backed by strength. Slow, sure progress is the rule for the year of the ox – not impulsive, thoughtless action. People born in the year of the ox possess the characteristics of that animal. They appear outwardly deliberate and slow moving, but they may be goaded into irritation and acts of rage. Although sometimes they seem to be indecisive and slow to come to a decision, they are really patient and persevering. When they set their minds on something , they usually won’t give up until they attain their goal. Their steady, consistent effort brings them ultimate success.
Ox year people are extremely dextrous and can do almost anything with their hands. Though placid and easygoing on the surface, they are remarkably stubborn and hate to fail at anything they have undertaken. If they are opposed, they can become quite unpleasant. They are reserved in their emotions, never demonstrative.
Ox people year should avoid marriage with anyone born in the year of the ram, the horse, the dog. They best married to someone who born in the year of the snake, the cock, the rat. Second best choice would come from the year of the ox, the dragon, the rabbit, the monkey, the wild boar.

THE TIGER

The tiger together with the dragon holds the most honorable and ancient place in Chinese lore. The tiger with dominion over the earth, and the dragon with dominion over the sky.
In the I Ching (The Book of Changes), the tiger assumes a role in astronomical and astrological tradition, appearing in the Ssu Fang, a map of heaven showing special animal holding sway over the Four Directions of the Universe and the four seasons of the year. The Tiger represent Autumn and West. The tiger was put in change of autumn season because his fierceness seemed to match the fierceness of this season in northern China (The tiger’s autumn ferocity was attributed to the fact that this was the animal’s mating season, during which he roamed restlessly abroad seeking a mate). Another reason for venerating the tiger and marking him out as “king of beasts” is that the dark markings on his forehead resemble the Chinese character ‘wang’, meaning “royal”.
The tiger and the dragon also represent wind and water, played important roles in FengShui. The tiger and the dragon also represent the yin and the yang forces of nature. The tiger, depicting the the yin, or material forces, roars at the dragon, represent the yang, or spiritual force. This was interpreted as a contest between wind and water. The wind, which follows the tiger, blows vigorously into the clouds, which follow the dragon. According to the I Ching: “The breath of the tiger creates the wind and the breath of the tiger creates the clouds; together they create the rain, which fructifies the earth and brings forth food for mankind.
Medicines concocted of pulverized tiger bones and teeth, mixed with the animal’s gall, were considered a special dosage to instill tiger strength to a man. Tiger bristles were held to be poisonous, but tiger talismans, worn or held close to the body, could cure almost any ailment.
The year of the tiger is a year for great deeds of strength and courage, a year for daring. It is an especially good year for boys, since male children fortunate enough to be born in the year of the tiger will be strong, brave, aggressive, active. But since the girls born in that year are thought to be headstrong and obstinate (traits considered unwomanly in the Orient), parents would prefer that their daughters be born in another year. Furthermore, the tiger-year girls run a high risk of leaving their husbands, since tiger can run thousands miles in one night and back again. Tiger people are thoughtful, sensitive, sympathetic, but prone to indecision and quick temper. They are likely to be suspicious nature and don’t easily trust others. They can be stubborn, selfish, narrow minded, and bad tempered. But the tiger does symbolize protection over human life, so during the tiger year the “three disasters” of thieves, fire, and ghosts will be held at bay.Tiger-year people should marry to those who born in the year of the horse, the dragon, or the dog. The second best is to marry someone who born in the year of the rat, the ox, the rabbit, the tiger, the sheep, the cock, or the boar. They should avoid marry to someone who was born in the year of the snake or the monkey.

THE HARE

The hare (or rabbit) is well known throughout all of the world. The Chinese always looked upon the appearance of 1 white hare as an auspicious omen, foretelling the reign of a beneficent and just ruler. It was believed that the white hare had to live one thousand years before he acquired his gleaming coat, and was therefore divine. Not all divine hares are necessarily white. Ancient Chinese writings describe a red hare that, together with the phoenix and the unicorn, appears as harbinger of peace and prosperity. A black hare was also welcome. Chang Ssu Wei once wrote: The black hare is more uncommon than the white hare. It comes from the North pole, bringing greetings from the moon goddess, and is auspicious of a successful reign. Now may the magic medicine be pounded with a jade pestle and the divine nectar be prepared in a crystal cup.

In China the hare is prized for his speed, and as an unusual source of extremely fine hair from which writing brushes are made.
The rabbit year is a fine year to be born in. People born in the year of the hare are always happy (since they always accept their fate meekly, whatever it may be). They are rather timid people, a bit weak, and rather easily led by stronger characters. But they have lovable personalities and are generally liked. They are ambitious and talented but will probably never become leaders. They are smooth talkers, a bit prone to gossip, but tactful and unwilling to hurt people. They have ambition, they are virtuous, clever at business, and financially astute. They are conservative and tend to look before they leap.
Temperamentally, they are somewhat given to melancholy, and can weep easily. They tend to be pedantic, well-informed on some subjects of interest but lacking in really inquiring minds, so that they do not blaze new trails. However, they make excellent gamblers, because they posses an uncanny instinct for picking a sure thing. They never lose their tempers except under prolonged provocation. Their temper are placid and unruffled.
They best marry to someone who is born in the year of the sheep, the boar, or the dog. People who is born in the year of the dragon will not prove a good match, and a rabbit year must absolutely shun mating with anyone from the years of rat or the cock.

THE DRAGON

The dragon represent the highest celestial power. With the tiger, the dragon is one of the two most beneficent astrological influences. The dragon is the only mythical animal in the Chinese animal zodiac, an indications of its importance. It represents fire, authority, and power, the yang (or male) element in nature, the first cause.

The concept of the dragon probably emerged in earliest times from among a primitive people who worshipped serpents and the sun. Thus, the “Four Directions” were represented by the Blue Dragon of the East, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Phoenix of the South and the White tiger of the West. Another concept was that of the “Four Fabulous Animals”: the dragon, which presided over heavenly authority, the phoenix, chief of all feathered birds, the unicorn, chief of all hairy animals, and the tortoise, chief of all animals with shells.
The dragon is thought to have the head of a camel with the horns of a deer (his hearing and flying abilities stem from his horns): the ears of an ox: the eyes of a hare: with extra heavy eyebrows; a beard with long, streaming bristles: lengthy tusks; and serpent like body covered with the shining scales of the carp, topped with a bristling row of dorsal spines extending to and about the mouth (which is large). The dragon’s length body terminates in a tail like a serpents’s, with a series of sharply pointed fins, his four short, bowed legs end in feet that combined the paw of a tiger and the talons of a hawk. In his mouth the dragon holds the magic pearl always associated with him. Some people cling to believe that the ball or pearl represent a jewel in which is encased the spiritual essence or the operating principle of the universe.
Like its power, the dragon’s wisdom exceeds that of all other animals; he is empowered to transform himself into any size or shape whatsoever, whether it be that of a tiny silkworm or beast large enough to cover the whole earth and darken the entire sky.
The dragon year is a wonderful year to be born, especially for a boy. Like the year of the tiger, the dragon year is one of great deeds, high and lofty accomplishments. Dragon year people are health, energetic, and brave. They are also honest, and sensitive, dislike borrowing money, and inspire confidence. They are sincere, not given to idle talk or flattery. Their opinions are thoughtful and valid. Because they are tenderhearted, they are always taken advantage of by unscrupulous people. They have large mouths, and are somewhat given to gossip, but are never hard or bitter in what they say. They tend to be excitable, and in that state may talk more than usual. They are capable of doing good work at whatever they undertake, and they often devote their energies to worthy causes. To be born in this year of greatest celestial power is believed to endow people with the “four blessings”: harmony, virtue, prosperity, and long life.
The person born in the dragon year should marry to someone from the years of the monkey, the rat, the snake, the cock. Next best would be someone born in the years of the tiger, the horse, the ram, the boar. Marriage should be avoided with anyone who was born in the year of the ox, the rabbit, or the dragon year. The worst of all is marriage with dog year people.

THE SNAKE

The snake or serpent, has long been associated with the sun , and has been worshipped in both eastern and western cultures. Because it sheds its skin, the snakes symbolizes death and rebirth, life perpetually renewed and everlasting. This is akin to the rising and setting of the sun.

The snake’s silence, stealth, slithering physique, his cunning and quickness, and the deadly venom it darts, all seem to make it a creature mystery and supernatural power. Its attraction to music – music can lure it into captivity- and the ability of some species of snake to inflate a protective hood also seem to give the snake a special mystique which has been felt by many people for many ages.
The Chinese believe, in fact, that all human illness may come from snake poison, and, following an ancient theory that like cures like, they use remedies concocted of snake gall to heal sick people.
An ancient allegory connecting the snake, toad, and slug –“the three cringing ones”- is designed to teach the interdependence of all creatures and their balance of power over one another. A snake can swallow a toad; the toad can swallow the slug; but finally, the slug by covering its prey with a slimy secretion, can destroy a snake.
Snake year people are considered to be wise, profound, compassionate. They may also be vain, however, and overly interested in dress. They never have to worry about money, are unusually fortunate in their financial affairs, but tend to be careful about loaning money. Because snake people have a tendency to overdo everything, they can be annoying, even when they try to assist someone, because they then become overly solicitous. Snake people are determined and persistent, hate to fail in whatever they undertake, and prefer to rely on their own judgment rather to seek the opinion of others. Although their natures are calm, they are intense. Snake year people are often very beautiful, and this sometimes leads them into marital difficulties.A person born in the year of the ox or the cock are the best partner for snake year people. Second choice would be someone born in the year of the rat, the hare, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the dog. Marriage with someone born in the year of the monkey will prove a poor match, but the worst choice of all is someone born in the year of the tiger or the boar.

THE HORSE

All over the world, the horse is mentioned very early in man’s history. In the Asian Zodiac, the horse represents valor and endurance, and is classed with fire element. In Buddhism, the horse is honored as one of the Seven Treasures.

In China, the horse was considered precious medically, since many parts of his anatomy were used in making medicine. A treatise called Ma Ching, or The Horse Classic, written in the seventeenth century, describes the animal, noting his “thirty-two marks”, of which the eye is the pearl, “round as a banner-bell”; the pupil is “bean-shaped, well-defined, with white striae”; the iris “has five colors (meaning) he will be long-lived”; his nose bears lines “like the characters kung and hao”; he will “live to see forty springs”; the forehead is described as “higher than the eyes”; the mane “soft, with ten thousand delicate hairs”; the face and chops “without flesh”; the ears “like a willow leaf”; the neck “like a phoenix’s or cock’s when crowing”; the mouth large and deep “with lips like a box close joining”; the incisors and molars “far apart”; the tongue “like a two-edged sword and of good color”; the gums “not black (meaning) it will have a long life”; the whole animal “lean as to flesh, fat to bones,” never starting at sounds or fearful of sights.
The Chinese thought of the horse as representing speed and perseverance; a quick-witted youth was often referred to as a “thousand-li colt.”
The horse’s speed has caused him to be compared with the sun, which traverses the earth daily. So in legend, the sun is sometimes associated with the horse . And in early, primitive religions, horses were often sacrificed in worship of the sun. The seahorse too is a symbol of the sun and the sea is often equated with that of fire and water.
The horse has traditionally held such an exalted position among men, is highly esteemed for his sensitivity, alertness, intelligence, and strength, and has always been a trusted companion and friend to man. It’s generally a good year for a boy to be born. Horse-year people are thought to be smooth-spoken, given to compliments, and generous of spirit; therefore they are popular. With their cheerfulness and alertness, they manage to accomplish a great deal; they make friends easily, and they handle their finances ably.
Such people are often talented in many directions and clever in doing things with their hands. They tend to like dress and high style, but they also prone to be impatient and may, if provoked, prove highly emotional. They are independent and can be quick to anger. But they like crowds, entertainment, and gaiety.
But, in Japanese traditions, the horse years would be not a good year for a woman to be born in, although the horse year has one sharp and decided limitation.
Horse-year people best marry to someone who was born in the year of the tiger, the dog, the sheep. Second best is someone from the year of the dragon, the snake, the monkey, the cock, the boar. People from the ox, the rabbit, the horse years are to be avoided as marriage partners. The most unlikely choice would be someone from rat-year.

THE RAM

The ram (sheep or goat) is the eighth symbolic animal of the twelve terrestrial branches, and the emblem of a retired life. Since sheep or goats are all gregarious, moving about in flocks or herds, the year of the ram is expected to be marked by excellent cooperation among humans. Sheep dislike water, so care must be exercised against water accidents during this year. But the sheep’s strong foreheads and horns for butting indicate that the year’s difficulties can be overcome through courage and fortitude. And, since the sheep is timid, defenseless, mild of nature, wanting little more than to be left alone to graze in the grass, it represents peace, and its year is thought to bode well for that scarce commodity.

According to an ancient Chinese legend, five venerable magicians, clothed in garments of five different colors and riding on rams of five different colors, met in Canton. Each of the rams bore in his mouth a stalk of grain that had six ears. These were then represented to the people of the district, to whom the magicians said: “May famine and dearth never visit your markets.”
The goat, like the sheep, is associated with peace on the basis of a homophone in which the Chinese ideograph for goat and that for yang, the masculine, positive principle of nature, have the same sound. Three goats are sometimes painted to symbolize a great threefold peace for the whole world.
To the Chinese, the deer signified longevity. Chinese tradition claims that the deer lives at least twenty-five hundred years old. At the end of its first thousand years of live, its coats turns gray; after another thousand years, it becomes snow white; and finally, after still another five hundred years, its horns turn black, and this is the sign that the animal has achieved immortality.
People born in the year of the ram are considered in many ways to be more fortunate than those born in other animal years. Such people are said to be tender-hearted and sympathetic, especially to those less fortunate than they. They are generous, loved by their friends, but are often taking advantage of because their natural kindness and their timidity. They are generally unassertive-self effacing, in fact; they spurn the struggle for power and leadership. They tend to be unsure of themselves, even to the point of speaking hesitantly. However, they are elegant, well-bred, and endowed with innate good taste. They are also talented and accomplished in the arts. Indeed, these wise and gentle people can live well on the fruits of their own talents. But they are passionate, pessimistic, often puzzled about life. Their passions are not only emotional, but are concerned with everything about which they feel keenly.
Ram-year people should ideally seek their marriage partners among those who was born in the year of the rabbit, the boar, the horse. Next best would be someone from the years of the tiger, the dragon, the snake, the ram, the monkey, the cock. Marriage should be avoided with anyone from the rat, the ox, the dog years.

THE MONKEY

The monkey plays an important role in early Chinese myths of the creation, and on the basis of this Asians believe that the monkey has supernatural powers. Like some of the other special animals, they believe that the monkey lives a very long time indeed – as long, in fact, as four thousand years, at the end of which he is metamorphosed into an old man. Many Asian paintings show the monkey reaching upward toward the moon, or downward as if to snatch the moon’s reflection from the waters. A well-known Zen poem reads:

A pair of monkeys are reaching
For the moon in the water
So, people born in the monkey year are usually pleased with their year. They are declared to be clever and skilful people, especially in large scale operation; they are passionate, strongly inventive, and original. They can solve difficult problem with great ease and are adroit in managing their financial affairs. They have outstanding memories, store up vast quantities of knowledge, are curious and observant. Their weakness lies in their tendency to be erratic, to lack constancy, and to be somewhat contemptuous of others, so that they will, for one example, sometimes agree with others only in order to be expedient. But, although prone to weakness in the area of human relationship (because of their own impatience), monkey year people are greatly valued for their skills and cleverness. They can be successful at whatever they choose to do in life, but they must guard against becoming easily discouraged and then wanting to abandon a project. They must also guard against alienating people by talking too much.
Monkey year people marry best with someone from the rat or dragon years. They should wary of mating with someone from the snake or boar years. The worst marriage possible for them would be with someone from the tiger year. If a rat year or a boar year person is not available or appealing, then someone from the ram or the dog year will do.

THE COCK

The cock is of celestial origin. Chinese tale concern an exploit of a son of Emperor Yao, the heroic Prince Tan Cho. Imprisoned on one occasion in the town of Kan Kok Kan, where the prison gates were always locked from sunset until cockcrow, the prince managed to escape in the night with his retainer Keimei, because the servant gave such a skillful imitation of the cock that guards awakened and opened the heavy door without question.

Another Chinese legend concerning the cock tells of one of the three women immortals, Ma Ku, who fled from her home, became a hermit in the mountains, and later ascended into heaven on the back of a large bird. This transpired because her cruel father threatened her for having taken pity on his over worked laborers. It had been his custom to permit them to stop their work only when the cock crowed at daybreak. In order to permit the workers some rest at an earlier hour, the daughter imitated the cock’s crowing.
The cock believed to embody the element yang, representing universal warmth, strength, and life. It is also thought to have the power of changing himself into human form to inflict good or evil upon mankind.
The Chinese ascribe special virtues to the cock: the crown of his head is said to be the mark of his literary spirit; the spurs on his feet are tokens of a warlike disposition; and it is also a symbol of courage, since he fights his enemy bravely.
People born in the year of the cock are considered to be profound thinkers, always busy and devoted to their work. Their tendency is to undertake more than they can accomplish, and then to be disappointed and frustrated when they can’t achieve their goals. They are always sure they are right, and they want to be left alone to do things in their own way. So they tend to distrust others; as a consequence, their relationships with other people often suffer. Although they seem on the surface to be rather adventurous spirits, there is always a certain insecurity deep within themselves. They have selfish characteristics, and they are usually blunt and outspoken – another facet of their personality that tends to put people off. Cock year people are not a whit shy, and, when the occasion calls for courage, they can reveal real bravery. Other people usually find them exceedingly interesting, if a bit difficult. The material fortunes of people born in the year of the cock are varied – sometimes good, sometimes bad. Because such people are not farsighted in financial matters, they tend to be improvident.Cock year people are happiest if married to ox, snake, or dragon years mates. Second choice for them would fall upon someone from the years of the tiger, horse, sheep, monkey, or boar. People from the rat, cock, or dog years will make poor matches for anyone from the cock year. But the very worst match of all would be with somebody from the year of the hare.

THE DOG

The possession of a dog in an Asian home came to indicate good fortune. More practically, a dog was valued for fidelity, and as both a guardian and a scavenger. Images of for veneration came about because of the “Heavenly Dog Star”, supposedly an unlucky star that devours the moon at the time of an eclipse. This same of a young girl who died unmarried and continually seeks to snatch someone else’s infant for her own. She desires to use the lost child as replacement so that she herself, the young girl, can be reincarnated as a mortal. Consequently she must be placated, and newborn infants are protected by a “dog’s hair talisman,” a ball made of a lock the infant’s own hair rolled up in some dog hair and sewed to the baby’s clothing. For additional protection, children are sometimes given the name of an animal and provided with a silver dos collar, to induce the evil spirit to imagine that the child is really an animal and therefore not worth attention.

People born in the year of the dog are expected to be possessed of many of these noble traits of their patron animal. They have a deep sense of duty and loyalty, they are extremely honest, and they get on well with others. Dog year people inspire confidence and can safely be trusted with secrets. And they are strong champions of justice, taking up worthwhile causes, working doggedly at them, and seeing them through success. They tend to be good at business affairs and are noted for their zeal in such matters. They usually remain cool under stress. Their weakness are that they sometimes tend to be faultfinders and to have sharp tongues. At times they can be selfish, stubborn, and reveal rather eccentric behavior. They care very little for social life and often exhibit uneasiness in big gatherings of this nature.
Such people marry most successfully with representatives of the horse, tiger, or rabbit years. Second choice for them would be someone from the years of the rat, snake, money, dog, or boar. Marriage with a person from the ox year or the year of the cock will not work out well. But the least successful marriage for someone from the dog year would be made with a mate from either the dragon or the ram year.

THE BOAR

The wild boar has played a prominent role in the mythologies of many primitive peoples. Usually it fulfills the role of benefactor, supplying man with food as well as with the pleasures of chase, and delivering man from one of his most dangerous enemies, the snake. In any encounter between the wild boar and the snake, the snake can avert defeat only by making a fast getaway.

In the most ancient Asians drawings, the wild boar is shown holding the earth on its powerful tusks. In this form it was believed to represent a cosmic creation legend of primitive peoples. So, as one of the Zodiac signs of early China, its use dates back to remote times.
Ancient Chinese legend tells of a different premier who, out hunting, killed a huge wild boar, cooked it, and ate it. That night he was visited in a dream by a large man who thanked him for having released his spirit from that boar, who had held it. Now, he declared, he could be reborn as a human, and a great warrior. The following day one of the premiers concubines gave birth to a son who in later years became one of China’s foremost generals.
In the Chinese language, the character chia, meaning “family” or “home” is made up of a pig under a roof.
Because of its value, the wild boar symbolizes, quite practically, the wealth of the forest. It always maintains his lair in wooded hill country; and in modern times he is usually snared in deep pits dug at the foot of a mountain and covered with deep grass for concealment. The bristles growing along his back have always been an important export and a good source of foreign exchange for the Chinese.
People born in the year of the boar are thought to be courageous and head strong. They posses tremendous fortitude and great inner strength. It is difficult to deter or deflect them, once they have set a course of action. Sometimes this attitude make them reckless, and, as a result, they come to grief, afterwards expressing deep regret for their action. So they must be warned to think before acting.
Because they are impulsive, boar year people can be victimized by the unscrupulous. In general, however, they are honest, gallant, chivalrous, pure, and persistent. Although short tempered, they really dislike quarreling, and try hard to avoid the necessity for it. Basically, they are kind and affectionate individuals who, once they make friends, usually retain them for life.
Such people are well informed and rather studious though not necessarily profound thinkers. They tend not to say much, as a rule; but if they do open up, they will talk things out frankly, even though they are basically shy. This shyness leads them to try to solve their own problems, rather than turning to outsiders for aid.
The best marriage partner are those who was born in the year of the rabbit and the ram. The second best is choice would someone from the year of the rat, the ox, the tiger, the dragon, the horse, the cock, the dog years. A wedding with someone from the monkey or boar years is to be shunned. But the least successful marriage of all for someone of the boar year would be made with a person from the year of the snake.