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Metaphysical Design - The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is much different from the Western Zodiac. While Chinese restaurant placemats have people confused, each person actually has three animals. One is for your outer personality, the one that everyone can see. The second is for your relationship personality, the one that only friends and family truly know. And the third is for the secret personality, the one that each of us has but never show to anyone. Each animal has a Chinese element and a Yin (female) or Yang (male) aspect. To find these, Chinese astrologers use the birth year, the birth month, and the time of birth of an individual .

The Chinese Zodiac Animals

Rat (Yang, Water)

Happy-go-lucky, cheerful, popular, and hard-working. Rat is smart and quick-witted, and hides any deeper feelings. A hoarder, Rat spends only if it is an investment that will pay dividends. Ambitious, practical, and clear-sighted, Rat usually succeeds. Bored by routine and timekeeping, Rat works best as innovator.

Ox (Yin, Water)

Hard-working and resolute, Ox is loyal, dutiful, and true, but can find relationships a problem. A great traditionalist, particularly at home, Ox distrusts change and can be a bit of a moaner and become stuck in a rut. However, although steady and thoughtrul, Ox is no fool.

Tiger (Yang, Wood)

Brave, forthright, and honorable, Tiger keeps promises and expects others to do likewise. Confident and spontaneous to the point of recklessness, Tiger can seem arrogant to less dynamic folk. Life with a Tiger is never dull, but it can be risky. Tiger's recklessness can lead to failure, but a Tiger never stays down for long.

Rabbit (Yin, Wood)

Though quiet and sensitive, Rabbit loves company at home and at work. A natural diplomat who prefers to negotiate, not fight, Rabbit is fierce when cornered. Luckiest of all the animals, Rabbit loves creature comforts and knowns how to charm those who will supply them. Artistic, talented, considerate, and methodical, but sometimes fickle and devious.

Dragon (Yang, Wood)

Innovative, energetic, independent, and outgoing, the Dragon needs constant stimulation. Most loved, and hated, of all the animals, Dragon can also be argumentative and demanding. Dragon has a tendency to forgot those less fortunate in the attempt to win at all costs.

Snake (Yin, Fire)

Wise, amusing, opportunistic, adaptable, and artistic, the Snake is a popular and powerful animal that wants only the best. Snake's speculative judgement is weak, but intuitive wisdom strong. In other words, Snakes are poor gamblers but good providers. Naturally secretive and somewhat jealous, infidelity is possible, but actually rare.

Horse (Yang, Fire)

Freedom-loving, industrious, and ambitious, if sometimes selfish, the Horse will roam far. Charming, unpredictable, and attractive, Horse makes a good entertainer. An amiable leader and good judge, Horse sometimes shows flashes of temper and can be too headstrong.

Goat (Yin, Fire)

Sometimes refered to as Sheep. Artistically creative, gentle, patient, quiet, and considerate, Goat is easily wounded by criticism. A lover of finery, Goat can be reckless and fickle, with a deep-seated hunger for luxury that can cause problems. Goat is not the idea leader, but good manners and a loving nature compensate for any deficiencies in this popular animal.

Monkey (Yang, Metal)

Irreverent, ingenious, amusing, creative, and clever, the Monkey will do well in all areas of life. Although charming, generous, and considerate, Monkey can sometmies be impatient, selfish, and vain. Monkey has a thriving imagination, lively humor, a natural inquisitiveness, a resourceful nature, and a deep-seated need to be surrounded by people.

Rooster (Yin, Metal)

Steady, punctual, reliable, enthusiastic, and hard-working, Rooster is usually loyal to friends and family alike, but can be tactless and think it always knows best. Courageous and brave, Rooster is usually good with money, especially money belonging to other people.

Dog (Yang, Metal)

Loyal, faithful, and brave, Dog is a follower not a leader. Usually modest, respectable, and restrained, Dog can sometimes be impetuous. May suppress feelings and become prone to depression; Dogs set high standards for themselves and others. Dogs are always willing to help others and are generous to a fault.

Pig (Yin, Water)

A dependable and sociable team player, Pig makes a good leader or lover. Cultured and sensitive, Pig likes stability, leaving this animal vulnerable and insecure at times. Loves creature comforts and a cozy home. Pig's easy-going nature is often taken advantage of, but this animal can also display the aggression of a boar.

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