HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

There are twelve different animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.Each has its own distinctive set of characteristics. According to Chinese legend Buddha called all the animals to him before he left the earth.

Only 12 turned up so as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived.

Rat
1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996
People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be charming, creative and very generous to family and friends.
Famous rats include: Burt Reynolds and Ursula Andress.

Ox
1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997
People born in the Year of the Ox are said to be good leaders, methodical and good at making things.
Famous oxen include: Shirley Bassey and Jack Nicholson.

Tiger
1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998
People born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be risk takers with plenty of initiative.
Famous tigers include: Chuck Berry and Harriet Harman.

Rabbit
1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be affectionate and have lots of friends.
Famous rabbits include: Francis Ford Coppola and Nanette Newman.

Dragon

1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000
People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be popular and full of fun.
Famous dragons include: Al Pacino and David Baddiel.

Snake
1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001
People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be wise and romantic.
Famous snakes include: Burt Bacharach and Vivienne Westwood.

Horse
1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002
People born in the Year of the Horse are said to be hard working and independent.
Famous horses include: Rolf Harris and Aretha Franklin.

Ram
1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003
People born in the Year of the Ram are said to be elegant and artistic.
Famous sheep include: Gene Hackman and John Major.

Monkey
1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004
People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be intelligent and well-liked.
Famous monkeys include: Omar Sharif and George Lucas.

Rooster
1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005
People born in the Year of the Rooster are said to be decisive and hard working.
Famous roosters include: Yoko Ono and Michael Aspel.

Dog
1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006
People born in the Year of the Dog are said to be honest and faithful.
Famous dogs include: Henry Cooper and Dolly Parton.

Boar
1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007
People born in the Year of the Boar are said to be tolerant and friendly.
Famous boars include: David Bowie and Elton John.