The Chinese zodiac

The Chinese calendar covers twelve years and each year is named after one of these animals: rat, ox (cow), tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig (boar).

People who believe in horoscopes believe that if you are born in a certain year then you will be a bit like the animal that is the symbol of that year.

Here is a chart to help you find your own Chinese zodiac sign.

Rat	16 Feb 1972 to 2 Feb 1973	2 Feb 1984 to 19 Feb 1985
Ox	3 Feb 1973 to 22 Jan 1974	20 Feb 1985 to 8 Feb 1986
Tiger	23 Jan 1974 to 10 Feb 1975	9 Feb 1986 to 28 Jan 1987
Rabbit	11 Feb 1975 to 30 Jan 1976	29 Jan 1987 to 16 Feb 1988
Dragon	31 Jan 1976 to 17 Feb 1977	17 Feb 1988 to 5 Feb 1989
Snake	18 Feb 1977 to 6 Feb 1978	6 Feb 1989 to 26 Jan 1990
Horse	7 Feb 1978 to 27 Jan 1979	27 Jan 1990 to 14 Feb 1991
Sheep	28 Jan 1979 to 15 Feb 1980	15 Feb 1991 to 3 Feb 1992
Monkey	16 Feb 1980 to 4 Feb 1981	4 Feb 1992 to 22 Jan 1993
Rooster	5 Feb 1981 to 24 Jan 1982	23 Jan 1993 to 9 Feb 1994
Dog	25 Jan 1982 to 12 Feb 1983	10 Feb 1994 to 30 Jan 1995
Pig	13 Feb 1983 to 1 Feb 1984	31 Jan 1995 to 18 Feb 1996

Rat	Versatile, intuitive, restless.
Ox (cow)	Patient, calm, trustworthy.
Tiger	Singular, energetic, ferocious.
Rabbit	Sensitive, affectionate, insecure.
Dragon	Detached, dynamic, independent.
Snake	Changeable, quick, feared.
Horse	Eager, strong, frolicsome.
Sheep	Placid, gregarious, adaptable.
Monkey	Intelligent, petulant, highly strung.
Rooster	Vain, outspoken, progressive.
Dog	Faithful, happy, unselfish.
Pig (boar)	Wasteful, self-sufficient, self-indulgent.