Chinese Astrology

The Chinese animal in this article on Chinese astrology in the Rat. Below is an informative article on the Chinese year of the rat.

Chinese Animal According to Chinese astrology, the Chinese year of the rat is the Chinese animal for the Chinese year starting in 1996

The Chinese year of the Rat

By Tony Luck

People born under the Chinese sign of the Rat are lucky! Rats are intelligent and great with people, surrounding themselves with many friends. The Rat's natural charisma ensures they are the centre of attention at social gatherings. They keep their friends too as they are very loyal.

Rat people enjoy the good things in life, fine clothes, wines and gourmet food. However, they can have a mean streak, they don't waste money and have an eye for bargains. They are astute in financial matters and will have money tucked away for emergencies.

People born under this sign are fortunate. They are talented, ambitious and often successful in business. However, they need to avoid taking on too much at one time as they can run out of energy before completing a project.

Rats can keep secrets as long as they are their own. They do have a tendency to gossip and can readily give away other people's secrets. But Rats are so charismatic that nobody is angry with them for long.

There are twelve signs in Chinese astrology. To learn about the other Chinese signs, click on the link below.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart the earth he summoned all the animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear the name of one of the animals.

Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign.

You will find a chart of the dates and signs below.

• Chinese Years:
  February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster
  January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey
  February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat
  February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse
  January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake
  February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon
  February 6, 1999 - February 4, 2000: Rabbit
  January 28, 1998 - February 5, 1999: Tiger
  February 8, 1997 - January 27, 1998: Ox
  February 19,1996 - February 7, 1997: Rat
  January 31, 1995 - February 18, 1996: Pig
  February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995: Dog
  January 23, 1993 - February 9, 1994: Rooster
  February 4, 1992 - January 22, 1993: Monkey
  February 15, 1991 - February 3,1992: Goat
  January 27, 1990 - February 14, 1991: Horse
  February 6, 1989 - January 26, 1990: Snake
  February 17, 1988 - February 5, 1989: Dragon
  January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988: Rabbit
  February 9, 1986 - January 28, 1987: Tiger
  February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Ox
  February 2, 1984 - February 19, 1985: Rat
  February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984: Pig
  February 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983: Dog
  February 5, 1981 - January 24, 1982: Rooster
  February 16, 1980 - February 4, 1981: Monkey
  January 28, 1979 - February 15, 1980: Goat
  February 7, 1978 - January 27, 1979: Horse
  February 18, 1977 - February 6, 1978: Snake
  January 31, 1976 - February 17, 1977: Dragon
  February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976: Rabbit
  January 23, 1974 - February 10, 1975: Tiger
  February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Ox
  February 15, 1972 - February 2, 1973: Rat
  January 27, 1971 - February 14, 1972: Pig
  February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971: Dog
  February 17, 1969 - February 5, 1970: Rooster
  r January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969: Monkey
  February 9, 1967 - January 29, 1968: Goat
  January 21, 1966 - February 8, 1967: Horse
  February 2, 1965 - January 20, 1966: Snake

Author: Tony Luck who runs a website with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. The site includes the interesting Chinese birth chart which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart which estimates when the baby will be born.