Image : http://www.flickr.com
The chinese culture has infused into the western region in the past years, gaining increasing popularity. It is evident in the art arena that many westerners adorn asian arts and culture. One instance is the tattoo industry which has shown an escalating of tattoo lovers inking chinese astrology and zodiac tattoo designs onto their body part.
In Chinese astrology, the zodiac of twelve animal represents twelve different types of characteristics. The Chinese zodiac begins with the rat as the leader of the twelve heavenly animals and the cycle repeats itself every twelve years.
There are myths and stories on how these animals are selected to represent the zodiac cycle. One popular saying among the commoners is that the Jade emperor, ruler of the heaven, has instructed twelve animals to pay him a respect and the first animal to turn up is the rat. The heavenly animals in the Chinese zodiac starts with Rat, follows by Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In the lunar year of 2008, the cycle repeats with the year of the rat.
Rat (Year - 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
2008 is your year if you are borne in the year of Rat. You will have no lack of friends. Your charming, charismatic and eloquent personality makes you a social person with great popularity among friends and colleagues. In terms of work and responsibility, you are meticulous, industrious and disciplined.
However, one can become manipulative, dictatorial, selfish and scheming.
Ox (Year - 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997)
In the eastern, Ox takes on a positive connotation of being hardworking because it helps in ploughing land for farmers. Borne in the year of Ox, you are someone who can be depended upon. You are calm, patient, steady and modest. However, there may be times of obstinance, narrow-mindedness and rigidity in personality.
Tiger (Year - 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998)
Tiger is seen as a ferocious animal which dominates almost any regions they reside. Their presence is a threat and brings fear to other animals in the vicinity. People born in the year of tiger are powerful, passionate, daring and generous. On the darker side, you can be reckless, quick tempered, impatient
and obstinate.
Rabbit (Year - 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999)
Rabbit is almost a harmless animal which exudes lovable and gentle nature. As a "rabbit", you tend to exude graciousness, elegance and compassion in your mannerism and behaviourism. In terms of taking risk, you are quite risk adverse for you can be cautious and reserved. Do exercise self-discipline as you may fall prey under self-indulgence and laziness.
Dragon (Year - 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000)
Dragon is a mystical creature of supremacy in the east and west. As someone born in the year of dragon, you are a strong, proud, passionate and loyal person. You can be decisive in making important decisions. COming to work, you tend to be ambitious, zealous and fiery. If you do not exercise self wary and control, you may be seen as being tyrannical, demanding and overbearing.
Snake (Year - 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)
People born in the year of snake is likely to be a deep thinker, shrewd, prudent, cautious and responsible person. You will always have a purpose in carrying out something. You can also be a creative and sensual person. As you tend to be a loner, you may be poor in communication, distrustful and self-doubting.
Horse (Year - 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)
If you are borne in the year of horse, you tend to be a cheerful, popular and quick witted character among your friends. You are adaptable, flexible and open-minded. You can be talkative, rude, stubborn and fickle-minded at times.
Sheep (Year - 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)
Sheep is a mild-mannered and shy animal with little security. Being a "sheep", you are seen as a righteous and sincere friend. Your shy and artistic nature makes you an extremely creative person. You are a gentle and compassionate being as you are always on a constant seek for peace and security. Be careful of being ruled by emotion. You tend to be a worrier and pessimist.
Monkey (Year - 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)
The animal which takes after human being and it is believed that human is evolved from apes. Born in the year of monkey, you tend to be both inventive and innovative. You are inquisitive, flexible, objective and intellectual. Others look up to you as a motivator and problem solver. However, you can be egotistical, selfish and cunning.
Rooster (Year - 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)
People born in the year of rooster may take after some of the rooster's traits of alertness, neatness and meticulous. You tend to be an organised, practical, zealous and responsible. You will always strive for perfection in any tasks you undertake. However, you can be over zealous, critical and opinionated.
Dog (Year - 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)
Dog has always been human's loyal and understanding partner for centuries. Born in the year of dog, you can be a honest, intelligent, loyal and straightforward person. Due to your sociable, unpretentious, amiable and affectionate personality, you are very popular among friends. However, be wary of being too cynical, judgmental and quarrelsome.
Pig (Year - 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)
The last animal of the Chinese zodiac is the pig. Born in the year of pig, your honesty, simplicity, patience and peace loving nature makes you a sincere, calm and understanding person. You are also an upright, intelligent and scrupulous person. Over-reliance, materialistic and self-indulgence are the darker side of your personality which you should be wary of.
Get the tattoo design of your zodiac heavenly animal that describes your personality, brings luck and health, visit http://www.cooltattoodesign.com for more chinese zodiac tattoo designs selection now.