| In the West, when someone
asks about your star-sign, he is really asking which month you were born
in. The Chinese, however, like to know what year you were born in. The
12 animals in the Chinese zodiac are used to name the different years in
one Great Year of 12 ordinary years. So, according to your particular year
of birth, you may be rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep,
monkey, Rooster, dog or pig.
Legend says that the Buddha
summoned all the animals, and that these 12 were the only ones which answered.
It is more likely, however; that these animal names were carefully chosen
by ancient astrologers because they seemed to be the best ones to represent
the characteristics of people born in those years, and also indicated what
the events of coming years might be like.
The person born in the Year
of the Rooster has great self-pride both in possessions and achievements,
seeking recognition and acclaim, relentlessly pursuing whatever end is
thought will achieve this. Abrasive and sometimes bordering on the aggressive,
he frequently alienates people who interpret frankness as rudeness, and
style as vanity since shrewd business sense does not prevent him from making
extravagant gestures when the timing is seen as appropriate. |
