十二生肖 zodiac animals

Chinese

zodiac

signs

represent

twelve

different

types

of

personalities.

The

zodiac

traditionally

begins with the sign of the Rat, and there are many stories about the origins of the Chinese Zodiac

which explain why this is so (see below). The following are the twelve zodiac signs in order and

their characteristics.

[1]

?

Rat

–

鼠

(

子

)

(Yang,

1st

Trine

,

Fixed

Element

Water

):

Forthright,

tenacious,

intense,

meticulous,

charismatic,

sensitive,

intellectual,

industrious,

charming,

eloquent,

sociable,

artistic, and shrewd. Can be manipulative, vindictive, self- destructive,

envious

,

mendacious

,

venal

, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, and scheming.

?

Ox

–

牛

(

丑

)

(

Water

buffalo

in

Vietnam

)

(Yin,

2nd

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Water):

Dependable,

ambitious,

calm,

methodical,

born

leader,

patient,

hardworking,

conventional,

steady,

modest,

logical,

resolute,

tenacious.

Can

be

stubborn,

dogmatic,

hot-tempered,

narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.

?

Tiger

–

虎

(

寅

)

(Yin,

3rd

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Wood

):

Unpredictable,

rebellious,

colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate,

humanitarian,

generous.

Can

be

restless,

reckless,

impatient,

quick-tempered,

obstinate,

selfish, aggressive, moody.

?

Hare

–

兔

or

兎

(

卯

) (

Cat

in Vietnam) (Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Gracious,

good

friend,

kind,

sensitive,

soft-spoken,

amiable,

elegant,

reserved,

cautious,

artistic,

thorough,

tender,

self-assured,

shy,

astute,

compassionate,

lucky,

flexible.

Can

be

moody,

detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, stubborn.

?

Dragon

–

龍

/

龙

(

辰

) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Magnanimous, stately,

vigorous,

strong,

self-assured,

proud,

noble,

direct,

dignified,

eccentric,

intellectual,

fiery,

passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious,

tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash.

?

Snake

–

蛇

(

巳

)

(Yin,

2nd

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Fire

):

Deep

thinker,

wise,

mystic,

graceful, soft- spoken, sensual, creative, prudent, shrewd, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm,

strong,

constant,

purposeful.

Can

be

loner,

bad

communicator,

possessive,

hedonistic,

self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, suffocating, cold.

?

Horse

–

馬

/

马

(

午

)

(Yang,

3rd

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Fire):

Cheerful,

popular,

quick-witted,

changeable,

earthy,

perceptive,

talkative,

agile

—

mentally

and

physically,

magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open-minded. Can be fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious,

rude, gullible, stubborn.

?

Ram

–

羊

(

未

)

(Yin,

4th

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Fire):

Righteous,

sincere,

sympathetic,

mild-mannered,

shy,

artistic,

creative,

gentle,

compassionate,

understanding,

mothering,

peaceful,

generous,

seeks

security.

Can

be

moody,

indecisive,

over-passive,

worrier,

pessimistic, over- sensitive, complainer, weak-willed.

?

Monkey

–

猴

(

申

)

(Yang,

1st

Trine,

Fixed

Element

Metal

):

Inventor,

motivator,

improviser,

quick-witted,

inquisitive,

flexible,

innovative,

problem

solver,

self-assured,

sociable,

artistic,

polite,

dignified,

competitive,

objective,

factual,

intellectual.

Can

be

egotistical,

vain,

arrogant,

selfish,

reckless,

snobbish,

deceptive,

manipulative,

cunning,

jealous, suspicious.

??

Rooster

–

雞

/

鸡

(

酉

) (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Acute, neat, meticulous,

organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical,