In order:

1. Rat2. Ox3. Tiger4. Rabbit5. Dragon6. Snake7. Horse8. Goat9. Monkey10.Chicken11.Dog12.Pig

The Rat is the 1st of the zodiac signs The Pig is the last

The Chinese calendar is made up of 12 years

Each year is named after an animal, like our signs of the zodiac.

February 7th 2008 is the start of the Year of the Rat. On the Chinese calendar the new year will be 4706

Year of the rat

What is your Chinese zodiac?

1961- 1973 - 1985, 1997

1962 - 1974 – 1986 - 1998

1963 - 1975 – 1987- 1999

1964 - 1976 – 1988- 2000

1965 - 1977 – 1989- 2001

1966 - 1978 – 1990 - 2002

1967 -1979 -1991 - 2003

1968 - 1980– 1992- 2004

1969 -1981- 1993 - 2005

1970 – 1982-1994 - 2006

1971 - 1983 – 1995 -2007

1960 -1972 -1984 - 1996 - 2008

The order of the Zodiac signsOn the Jade Emperor’s birthday he told the animals to have a swimming race

The first twelve animals across river would each have a zodiac year named after them.

All the animals lined up along the river bank

The rat and the cat, who were best friends, asked the ox for a lift on his back

They had almost reached the other bank when the rat pushed the cat into the river.

Just before the ox was about to win the race the rat leapt off his back and finished first.

The rat cheated his way into being the 1st of the zodiac signs.

Year of the Ox became the 2nd sign

The 3rd year was named after the tiger

The rabbit came 4th by hopping over rocks

The dragon came in 5th place despite being late

The dragon told the Emperor how he spent all morning making rain for thirsty villagers and when he arrived at the river, he saw the rabbit struggling so he blew some drift wood in the rabbit’s direction

Just as the horse was coming in 6th place, a snake startled the horse, making him jump back.

6th year was name Year of the Snake

The goat, monkey and rooster shared a raft.

The Emperor was impressed at their team work and named the 8th, 9th and 10th year after them

7th year was named Year of the Horse

The pig stopped for a snack along the way and made it in time to claim the last zodiac sign

The cat, who had been pushed into the river by the rat, finally crawled out of the water.

The dog came 11th as he was busy cleaning himself in the river

He was too late to claim a year.

Cats have been hunting rats ever since

Since that day, the Chinese calendar has been following the 12 signs of the Zodiac

What characteristics does your zodiac represent?RAT: • Ambitious • Both charming and aggressive. • Calm and on the surface• Little nervous underneath it all• Hard working• They have a good memory

Tigers• Rebels• Love attention • Impatient • Generous & affectionate • Great sense of humour

•OX:• A leader • Extremely determined & stubborn.• Trustworthy & responsible• Punctual and honest • Have quite a temper• Can hold a grudge

Rabbits:• Gracious and soft spoken. • Peace-makers • Good scholars• Sensitive to others’ feelings• Rarely get into trouble• Well mannered• Strong willed

Dragons:• Full of vitality and love of life • Proud and direct• Loyal to friends and family • Dragons are not sentimental or even romantic Snakes

• Romantic and charming.• Deep thinkers and always mysterious. • Graceful and well-mannered• Private• Elegant dressers• Snakes make good politicians

Horses:• Warm and friendly• Self-reliant and energetic• Want things their way• Good problem solver • Gets right to the point

Goats:• Gentle and shy• Understanding• Quick to forgive. • Gullible• Cannot work well under pressure• Needs looking after

Monkeys:• Clever and master most things. • Charming manners• Problem solver• Quick-witted• Self confident • Do not care about the opinions of others

Dogs:• Honest and friendly• Protective & loyal to loved ones • Value fair play and justice• Quite private • Good judges of character • Hard workers • Do not forgive very easily if you break their trust

Pigs:• Self-reliant• Very sociable Dependable• Determined. • Peace lovers • Don't hold grudges.• Hate arguments

Roosters:• Dreamers• Romantic • Quite proud of themselves• Great self-control• Blunt and brutal• Perfectionists