Ever wonder about the personality characteristics of each of the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals?  It’s also fun to note which famous figures match with the various Chinese Zodiac animals.  Try to lose your Western prejudices (e.g.: that pigs are lazy/sloppy or that snakes are scary creatures) and read through each animal’s characteristics.  Next week, in this Mini-Series of entries on the Chinese Zodiac, we will share predictions for each of the animals during the Year of the Metal Ox, which begins on February 12.

Last week we talked about the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac and shared not only the legend of how they came to be, but the birthdates each animal represents.  If you haven’t checked yours out, look back to the last entry and find your Zodiac animal.  Look up the birthdates of those closest to you, too.  You’ll probably see some characteristics that you (and your loved ones) have in common with these animals.

RATS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rat tend to be quick-witted, clever, charming, and loyal to those it considers part of its pack.  Rats often excel in business because they achieve their goals through hard work and are motivated by the acquisition of money.  Although generally thrifty, they can be very generous with those they love, especially their children.

Compatible with the Rat are the Ox, Dragon and Monkey.

Famous and Infamous Rats: Today and Yesterday

William Shakespeare, Amadeus Mozart, George Washington, Louis Armstrong, Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Cameron Diaz, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Richard Nixon, Heinrich Himmler, Prince Charles.

OX

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Ox possess a stabilizing personality.  The Ox is a good listener and inspires confidence in friends and family. Steadfast in his beliefs, the Ox’s tenacity and hard work often bring success in any endeavor.  The Ox is stubborn and dislikes being opposed, and is quick to anger.

Compatible with the Ox are the Rat, Rooster and Snake.

Famous and InfamousOxen: Today and Yesterday

Johann S. Bach, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolph Hitler, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Sissy Spacek, Jessica Lange, Jane Fonda, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Barack Obama.

TIGERS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Tiger possess an adventurous personality.  The Tiger is courageous and aggressive, and loves to be in the limelight. Possessing humanitarian instincts, the Tiger loves babies and endangered species.  Whatever their current object of adulation, all else will play second fiddle.

Compatible with the Tiger are the Pig, Horse and the Dog.

Famous & InfamousTigers: Today and Yesterday

Queen Elizabeth II, Stevie Wonder, Jenna Jameson, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Emily Dickinson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Roberta Flack, Jodie Foster, Agatha Christie.

RABBITS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rabbit are well-mannered, admired and trustworthy.  Their wise and conservative nature often leads them to success in business.  Rabbits are delightful, and people seek their company. Strong willed and cunning, even ruthless at times, they pursue the goals with methodical precision.

Compatible with the Rabbit are the Dog, Sheep and the Pig.

Famous & Infamous Rabbits: Today and Yesterday

Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Luther Vandross,  Angelina Jolie, Harry Belafonte,  Sting, Orson Welles, Queen Victoria, Albert Einstein.

DRAGONS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dragon have an unquenchable fire within and are the most honored sign of all the animals.  Dragons symbolize long life, good fortune and have boundless energy.  On the outside, Dragons display power, authority, and are short-tempered.  On the inside, Dragons’ heroic heart makes them magnanimous and willing to shoulder family responsibilities.

Compatible with the Dragon are the Rooster, Rat, and Monkey.

Famous & Infamous Dragons: Today and Yesterday

Mae West, Joan of Arc, Sigmund Freud, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, John Lennon, Donovan McNabb, Bill Belichick, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Robin Williams.

SNAKES

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Snake possess a seductively charming and mysterious personality, but are often fickle.  Snakes are astute, logical, quiet, and understanding. They often achieve success and fame with ease, but when crossed they can instinctively spit venom and act selfishly.

Compatible with the Snake are the Monkey, the Ox, and the Rooster.

Famous & Infamous Snakes: Today and Yesterday

Oprah Winfrey, Grace Kelly, JFK, Edgar Allan Poe, Abraham Lincoln, Aristotle Onassis, Kim Basinger, Johannes Brahms, Mahatma Gandhi, Bob Dylan, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

HORSES

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Horse are enchanting, cheerful and gregarious. Industrious, self-confident and intelligent, the Horse skillfully obtains authority, wealth and respect.  The Horse’s bluntness can be tactless, and the keen quest for success can become self-centered and destructive.

Compatible with the Horse are the Sheep, Tiger, and the Dog.

Famous & InfamousHorses: Today and Yesterday

Denzel Washington, Walter Payton, Janet Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Spike Lee, Barbara Streisand, Cindy Crawford, Ella Fitzgerald, Harrison Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Warren Buffet.

RAMS/SHEEP/GOATS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Ram/Sheep/Goat are endowed with a native intelligence and an artistic talent (or appreciation for it) so they are often successful in business.  They are creative, deep thinkers, wanderers, disorganized, high-strung and can be insecure.  They are pacifists at heart and strive for harmony.  They need lots of love, support, and reassurance.

Compatible with the Ram/Sheep/Goat are the Horse, Rabbit, and Pig.

Famous & Infamous Sheep/Rams: Today and Yesterday

Bill Gates, Arthur Ashe, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, John Grisham, Deion Sanders,  LL Cool J, Julia Roberts, Mark Twain, Michelangelo, Norah Jones, Orville Wright, Faith Hill.

MONKEYS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Monkey thrive on having fun.  Energetic, inquisitive and adventurous, the Monkey’s quick wit and inventive nature make for an excellent problem solver. The Monkey is very social, and has the ability to get almost anyone on his/her side.  Monkeys are strong-willed and impatient, but their temper cools quickly. 

Compatible with the Monkey are the Snake, Dragon, and Rat.

Famous & Infamous Monkeys: Today and Yesterday

Bette Davis, Leonardo DaVinci, Omar Shariff, Julius Caesar, Nelson Rockefeller.

ROOSTERS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rooster tend to be self-assured, thorough, inventive and talented. An exacting task-master, and an ever watchful administrator, the Rooster seeks perfection in all parts of his/her world. Typically there are two Rooster types: the fast-moving, very talkative type, and the deadly somber spectators- both can be equally hard to deal with at times.

Compatible with the Rooster are the Dragon, Ox, and Snake.

Famous and InfamousRoosters: Today and Yesterday

Peter Ustinov, Ben Franklin, Carly Simon, Goldie Hawn, Jennifer Lopez, Osama bin Laden, Britney Spears, Gene Wilder, Manuel Noriega, Neil Young, Yoko Ono, Joan Rivers, Van Morrison, Helen Mirren.

DOGS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dog are likeable, authentic, honest, and brave friends.  With a deep sense of loyalty and justice, Dogs inspire confidence in others.  Dogs accomplish goals quickly but seldom unwind despite appearing calm and relaxed.

Compatible with the Dog are the Rabbit, Tiger and Horse.

Famous & InfamousDogs: Today and Yesterday

Harry Houdini, Shirley MacLaine, Judy Garland, Sylvester Stallone, Donald Sutherland, Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Madonna, Justin Bieber, George W. Bush, Elvis Presley, Sophia Loren, Kim Jong-un, Mother Teresa.

PIGS/BOARS

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Pig are delicate, thoughtful and permissive.  Gallant, sturdy, and courageous, Pigs will apply themselves to tasks with all their strength.  They tend to be quiet but are almost always well informed.  They enjoy helping others and are good companions. Equally known for their wanton pursuit of pleasure- sometimes the saint and sinner can be intertwined.

Compatible with the Pig/Boar are the Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep.

Famous & InfamousPigs: Today and Yesterday

Carl Linnaeus, Ronald Reagan, Alexander the Great, Thomas Jefferson, Fred Astaire, Henry VIII, Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen King, Sir Elton John, Hilary Clinton, Andrew Jackson, Mitt Romney, Carl Jung, Camilla Parker Bowles, Winona Ryder.

In conclusion:

We’re doing a whole series on Chinese New Year, which started with 12/6’s entry. Future entries include:

• Chinese New Year Celebration Ideas 01/03/2021
• Forecast for the Year of the Metal Ox 01/17/2021
• Predictions for You in 2021 01/31/2021

Questions?  Thoughts?  Let us know via email: Shelley@TFI.design!

万事如意

wànshì rúyì

May everything you wish go well and smoothly.