Though Japan, in the 19th century, moved rapidly towards Westernization and industrialization, the lunar calendar still continues to influence the daily life and actions of people. The Chinese calendar was originally based on gaging the waxing and waning phases of the moon. Having learned astrology from the Chinese, the earliest extant Japanese horoscope dates back to 1112 A.D., though there have been references upon this stream in 700 A.D. as well. This calendar is based on years and not months. The peasantry used to meticulously observe which time and season is best for the operations of agriculture on basis of this calendar. The system of the twelve-year cycle of the animal signs was built from the observations of the orbit of Jupiter around the sun. The astronomers divided the celestial circle into twelve sections and rounded it up to 12 years (11.86). The 60 year cycle is made of two distinct and separate cycles that interact with each other. The first is the cycle of ten heavenly stems, which are the five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal and water, in both their Yin and Yang forms. The second is the cycle of the twelve Zodiac animal signs or Earthly Branches. They are in order as follows: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. In fact, there are also animal signs assigned by month, called inner animals, and hours of the day, which are called secret animals. The secret animal is considered the true self according to the time when you were born. With this information, let's study the Japanese zodiac calendar in detail. The Japanese Zodiac Signs

1.  Rat - 鼠 Nezumi

2.  Ox - 牛 Ushi

3. Tiger - 虎Tora

4. Rabbit - 兎 Usagi

5. Dragon - 龍 Tatsu

6. Snake - 蛇 Hebi

7. Horse - 馬 Uma

8. Sheep - 羊 Hitsuji

9. Monkey - 猿 Saru

10. Rooster - 鶏 Tori

11. Dog - 犬 Inu

12. Boar - 猪 Inoshishi

The Rat - 鼠 Nezumi Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water Year: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924 Month: January Hour: 23:00 - 01:00 Rat symbolizes busy activity and charm with a tinge of guile. They can be quite expressive and talkative sometimes, though mostly always keeping their problems to themselves and hardly ever confiding. Being the first sign of the Japanese zodiac calendar, the Rat quite aptly represents initiation of action. They're always on the move mentally, even when they appear to be relaxed and resting. Their mind is running and working at great momentum. A lot of times, their mental activity revolves around devising a plan to make a lot of lazy money, more money and do less work. They prefer their own rules to those of others. They are quite resourceful and if they think they're lacking in competence, they more than compensate for it by a thinking that is quick and as sharp as a tack, their cunning and utter deviousness. They most effectively approach life in a more direct way, if not an aggressive one. Rats are quite proactive and are most comfortable, making their decisions by way of solid logic. They're constantly swimming in their heads and are easily provoked. Their becoming easily and quickly agitated, terribly annoyed and edgy is quite a tell-tale sign of their impatience whilst dealing with people who aren't quite as quick-witted as they are. If they understand that they too have their own limitations and realize these and where they lie, the Rat can become quite a powerful force by way of their humility; as they would curtail their aggression to a far extent; because, if the Rat becomes overly cocky and overconfident in his ability to get out of any situation no matter how tight, the Rat may find himself in a hole where no amount of his intelligence or cunning will come to his rescue. Rats love challenges and the thrill of living dangerously. They are, however, quite quick and remarkably good at solving the toughest problems you may have that require a lot of thinking and coming up with astonishingly workable solutions. Although a Rat can advise you thoroughly well, that too with wise advice, they seldom can decide for themselves as the direction of their winds change all the time. They are hungry for power and money at times, and can become gamblers, petty and manipulative. Their greed, however, like anyone else's greed can lead them to their own mouse-trap! Due to their stimulating intellect and great sense of humor, Rats are great to have around as company and will often be audaciously charming and witty. They make good politicians and businessmen. The Rat in Relationships The Rat is a clannish person. Even though he may often hog up the limelight in social gatherings, he prefers spending most of his time with his inner circle. The Rat prefers a partner who enjoys the company of his family and his small group of friends. The Rat isn't going to be one of the most thrilled people to take you to large, social gatherings in a fever of impatience. The Rat is quite an opportunist and then he loves to switch on his charm, manipulating people who are vulnerable. They hardly ever have any trouble attracting members of the opposite sex. They have a slight romantic streak, but veering more towards being sensual and charming, and falling in love easily, but can size up potential partners with the same vigor as business deals and usually don't go rushing about to be in a committed relationship. Rats are capable of using their charm to their own advantage. They easily gain confidence of those around them, and can make people tell all their juicy secrets, whilst others know too little about them. Rats aren't too beyond using information to their own advantage. Their charm serves them quite well as they do like being sociable and enjoying parties. They have a wide circle of friends and are quite attractive to members of the opposite sex. Rats get along with a lot of people and don't quite tolerate incompetence. At Best: Forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, hardworking, industrious, charming, great virtuosity, determined to succeed, eloquent, sociable, artistic, shrewd. At Worst: Manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, scheming. The Ox - 牛 Ushi Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Water Year: 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913 Month: February Hour: 01:00 - 03:00 This sign, like the sturdiness of the Ox himself, is quite dependable. They instinctively become a shoulder for the load in all the relationships they have; whether it's family, friends or loved ones. Most people might think of this as a heavy burden, but the Ox does it smoothly and is happy with the satisfaction he gets out of it. They aren't quite the ones that will be dancing in the middle of the dance-floor at a party and be all over the place, but are more tranquil. They have a fantastically good memory and can narrate to you incidences right out of their photographic memory. Once the Ox sets his sight on a particular thing or doing something, he does it with an undaunted tenacity and his is a determination guided from within. People can see it as dreadful stubbornness when they get into other people's way, by way of being in the process of getting what they aim for. Outwardly, the Ox appears quite calm, as though he weren't career driven. But they are quite ambitious. For them to realize their full potential, the Ox needs a lot of love and support from an environment that is familiar, where they can find happiness for others and mainly themselves. The Ox in Relationships For a woman who is an Ox, she is quite likely to choose a partner thoroughly unsuited for herself. It is best for her to listen to the opinions of the ones she trusts and is close to, before making any sort of commitment. Although they are mostly always inclined to being rather independent and self-reliant, they will not hesitate to give you a shoulder to cry on or an ear or a heart that you may pour out to. Of all the signs, Ox is the one to carry the weight on their shoulders, and they do it with ease. They make very reliable partners. Sometimes, they may be quite reserved and unapproachable. However good-hearted they may be, they tend to veer easily towards being quite cold and materialistic. It may appear, at times, that they are more interested in things of a material nature than people, although this may not be necessarily true. At Best: Dependable, ambitious, calm, methodical, born leader, patient, hardworking, accommodating to others, masterful with certain skills, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. At Worst: Stubborn, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding. The Tiger - 虎 Tora Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Wood Year: 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914 Month: March Hour: 03:00 - 05:00 Tigers are keenly adventurous and flamboyantly courageous. They are natural born leaders and aren't afraid to set ablaze new trails that other people might fear to tread on. They are most certainly independent and are willing to walk their new discovered paths alone if they need to. They have an unwavering determination about them, making them growlingly fierce competitors. They are passionate star performers, and with their magnetic personalities, they often get a lot of attention. They're dynamic and vivid, and they command presence when in a group, creating excitement. On the other hand though, Tigers can be as kittenish and naughty as innocuously playful kittens. They have a great sense of humor and enjoy making people laugh, in order to divert people from a serious nature which they have inside, and may not be quite so comfortable with themselves. Often very empathetic and sensing what it is that people really need and responding to it with firm and warm compassion and a sincere desire to help, Tigers have a kind and gentle side that creates the ray of a genuine humanitarian in them. They are immensely affectionate towards their friends and family. Charitable at heart, the Tiger is deeply moved by anyone who is most in need. They can be boisterously outspoken in the ugly face of injustice. However, when swayed by frustration over people and happenings, the Tiger can plummet into emotional distress and become overly anxious and despairingly edgy. This unsettling uneasiness of mind can come from brooding over a dark fear about some contingency or simply feeling like he's in a situation which induces into him the feeling of standing on the edge of a steep cliff, making him rather passionately impatient and thoughtlessly impulsive. All this leads him into making some rash decisions, which may not always yield positive outcomes. This can pretty much be termed as the "fools rush in" disposition and nature. They have a hard time understanding the meaning of 'moderation'. The Tiger in Relationships The Tiger is flamingly passionate and can be hopelessly romantic, and not too far from the possibility of marrying more than once. They do not shy away from displaying their genuine emotions and may perhaps do it in brazen ways that may make a being of a more subdued nature, flinch with more than a little astonishment. Tigers are given to having quite some immensely intense love affairs. For Tigers, it is best to not hold back their horses, especially the black wild ones, in the unfettered frenzy of their youth, so that they get all they want out of life; get a little bored of it, if not a lot, and later be more than happy to settle down with a beautiful and devotedly faithful spouse. The Tiger will always want to dominate in their relationships; but can never be quite happy until they find someone they respect too. They need a person who's nature is built of strong fibers, as they may be too intimidating for a person in whose nature the word 'tenderness' may be the closest befitting description. They are proud of being able to take care of themselves and don't want anyone to mother them. The Tiger's passions and romanticism makes them rather active and sensuous lovers; their sense of adventure spices everything up all the more. Tigers have their romantic interests at peak when they're visiting some exotic place. At Best: Unpredictable, rebellious, vivid, powerful, passionate, daring, understanding, audacious, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, generous. At Worst: Restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, moody. The Rabbit - 兎 Usagi Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Wood Year: 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915 Month: April Hour: 05:00 - 07:00 And now down to the fluffy Rabbits who are mainly peacemakers and dislike conflicts, as nothing upsets them so much. They are blessed with excellent diplomatic skills, and if there's a conflict between your friends, they jump to make peace, with supersonic speed. Their unassuming presence and calm modesty gives their hands a touch to smooth out any ruffled feathers. Sensitively aware and kind, the Rabbit does thoughtful little things for the happiness of others. The Rabbit never hesitates from extending his love and kindness to animals, and it is usually there, that people see a heaven of the gentlest side of the Rabbit. They love every little creature they come across. Rabbits have great passion and a highly developed aesthetic sense and have exquisite taste in their mode of dress and the arts. They're terrifically suave and are always seen flaunting the latest trends, appropriately dressed for any occasion. If they aren't artists themselves, they have quite a steep inclination towards arts and excellent appreciation, making them good, observant critics. Rabbits are devoted to peace and sometimes may go to lengths to make sure they have it even if it may come across as negative to many others who see it as merely love of comfort. Their sensitive being tends to quite wither away with every singe of criticism. They do, however, aggressively pursue their comforts with a subtly hedonistic streak. They will find themselves at home even in the midst of a luxurious mall with tasteful things. A lot of times, to protect their tender hearts, Rabbits may choose to detach themselves, but it isn't entirely because they're snobs or stuck up, but because the world sometimes just seems too horribly harsh and overwhelmingly intimidating. Rabbits can be moody - broodingly sulky one moment and excitedly genial in the next breath. In spite of being, at times, a bit aloof from the world, the Rabbit craves for company of people and are very well adept at social relations by way of diplomacy too. The Rabbit can be manipulative, and he's good at it. His motives however aren't evil at all, as he's only trying to get someone else to do something that he would consider rather unpleasant to handle himself, or to simply buy something for you as long as it circumscribes luxury and all that falls in it. They are absolute go-getters. The Rabbit in Relationships Rabbits need someone gentle and empathetic to keep them happy. It would certainly better the situation if they had a fair amount of money for the comforts that they need when the world turns to being not too far from cruel for them. They love the feeling of being secure, making relationships and the feeling of this security that stems from it is rather important for them, so they can go about being social too. Rabbits feel vulnerable when it comes to giving out details about their personal life. Rabbits are comfortable with letting their partner lead the way, however they do have a passive-aggressive side as well. They can get their way by cleverly getting their partners to do their bidding for them, by using indirect approaches. When they're hurt in a relationship, they don't fall down one step, but the whole flight of stairs and it takes quite a while to pick themselves up and a bit longer for the wounds to heal. A night at the theater or a lovely restaurant brings out their intricate romantic side. At Best: Gracious, good friend, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, honorable, skillful, someone who has earned credence, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, shy, astute, compassionate, lucky, flexible. At Worst: Moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, stubborn. The Dragon - 龍 Tatsu Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood Year: 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916 Month: May Hour: 07:00 - 09:00 The Dragon is a visionary with colorfully grandiose goals. They're capable of brazenly confronting and accepting challenges that are often seen as being out of reach at all. Dragons will do all, move mountains, heaven, hell and earth, when it comes to fulfilling their dreams. They're often quite the showy flamboyant ones and can come across as being mysterious, strikingly unusual, or different, which could either be due to their exquisite sense of style, or high levels of energy that last until what others consider getting old. The Dragon has an inborn sense of leadership due to his confidence. He has an innate sense of right judgment, and usually one can trust when he snorts a comment at something distasteful, or finely compliments a painting in a gallery and gives you all the details about why he loves it. There are times however, that the Dragon won't get beyond being a drifting dreamer; perhaps his dreams being too fancy and quite above the clouds. Sometimes, people might consider him as all talk and no pants. But, he might just be reveling in a dream that he would sincerely love to realize, not quite noticing it's far-fetched nature; and then people might think he's merely pursuing some crack-pot scheme. He is unpredictable and you never know if, with his eccentricity, he's building castles in the air or is just about to bring into an outright form the next great idea swimming in his head. Remember, the Dragon breathes fire, so cross his path a bit and you'll certainly have that tinge of regret for doing so. The Dragon in Relationships In relationships, the Dragon is quite direct and will let people know exactly what he wants and expects from them. Their pursuit of looking for an ideal partner can make them a bit reluctant in moving forward quickly in a relationship and making a commitment suggestive of it being close to permanence. But when they do realize that they want to be with someone, they are fiercely yet empathetically protective and intend for it to last. One of the most beautiful things about the Dragon is that his love is usually his best friend. The Dragon can be a hard one to live with as they opine an excessively high worth of themselves, becoming a bit more focused on their own grandiosity, which can make them appear insensitively superficial and a little offensively tactless. It is however, simply an overbearing outcome which is only seemingly so, as they can get too absorbed and wrapped in their own thinking, forgetting to pay attention to the needs of those around them, and this is completely unintentional. In spite of this, the Dragon's heart is deep, warm and generous. He has an optimism that is infectious and won't make you feel terrible about yourself, even though you may not have behaved your best. At Best: Magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, vivacious and has the capability to motivate others, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal. At Worst: Tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash. The Snake - 蛇 Hebi Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Fire Year: 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917 Month: June Hour: 09:00 - 11:00 Seduction, depth and charisma are 'hiss' main magnetic charms. Snakes spend a lot of time in their heads, reflecting and contemplating in quietude. But if you're looking for furrows and wrinkles of worry, you aren't about to find those on the Snake's forehead or manner. Their insatiable thirst for knowledge, their love of learning, along with their many varied interests that they can grasp quickly, and reflective thought makes them not too far from being quite so wise. It adds to their complex persona. David Byrne's quote, "The more you know, the more you don't know and the more you know that you don't know" fits aptly to the Snake's undying quest for knowledge. The Snake makes his decisions based on his first impressions and a quick logical mind, rather than facts alone. The Snake may be generous in the liberal sprinklings of his knowledge, but when it comes to his personal life, usually mom is the word. They can be quite secretive, which adds a mysterious aura to their commanding presence. Just like the Dragon, the Snake is a karmic sign, which means he has very high highs and very low lows in his life. But the ups are so ecstatic that the downs can all be handled well. He knows tomorrow is yet another day. He is great at presenting himself in quite a favorable light and not in a gaudily ostentatious way. The Snake is most probably quite aware of his charisma and doesn't feel the need to add more pomp to his personality in order to impress anyone. If ever a Snake helps you, remember that he cannot help his serpentine nature of clinging on and coiling until you return his favor. The Snake in Relationships Easily losing and finding himself in his thoughts, the Snake is quite a private person and prefers his own company to those of others, and has immense pleasure in doing so. They love close and intimate relationships, but these aren't top-notch priority; though, he can return tremendously and qualitatively once he feels that he is respected and is taken a personal interest in. The Snake is more than happy to meet new people, learn newer things and add to his ever-brimming capacious basket of experiences. It however, can be a little silly to attach yourself to a Snake. They are relentless with their energy and can tire people out before they tire themselves. When a Snake marries, he will be faithful as long as his partner is ambitious and is growing like he is with his ever-expanding knowledge and interests. At Best: Deep thinker, wise, mystic, graceful, soft-spoken, sensual, flourishes in finances and customarily intelligent, creative, prudent, shrewd, elegant, cautious, responsible, calm, strong, constant, purposeful. At Worst: Loner, bad communicator, possessive, hedonistic, self-doubting, distrustful, mendacious, suffocating, cold. The Horse - 馬 Uma Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Fire Year: 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906 Month: July Hour: 11:00 - 13:00 Reverent and respected, adventurous and vivacious, you are most likely to find the Horse right in the center of action and the fun member of any team. The Horse loves the outdoors and everything that he can possibly get involved with under the bright blue skies - it could be hiking, jogging, rock-climbing, biking, an open-air party, or traveling. Quick-witted and knowing what you're about to say before you express it, the Horse is capable of forestalling an argument. He is quite intelligent and gifted, but there is quite a bit of cunningness involved there; and he knows it too. Appearing well integrated outside, inwardly the Horse is quite a rebel, ambitious and boundlessly energetic. He has a tickling and deft sense of humor and is quite the master of repartee. The Horse can be quite a bit of an egoist and selfish to a point that he can see only his own problems. Although this equine sign of the Japanese zodiac may end up working for himself and his own success, his work ends up benefiting everyone. Although, one of the most impulsive signs of the Japanese zodiac, the Horse is quite adept at handling money and is famously known for losing his interest in something. The Horse is full of paradoxes in many ways. He is proud yet sweet-natured, arrogant yet modest in his approach to love, envious but tolerant, moody yet tempered, and overconfident yet humble. They want to belong but are swept away by independence. They need love and intimacy, but often feel cornered and pressured. The Horse is rather dapper and strongly individualistic, depending upon his wits and the sweat of his brow to get what he wants. The Horse in Relationships Standing for virile masculinity, the Horse is fun-loving and is most likely to be the cause of an uproarious laughter in a group, due to his charming wit and sense of humor. Being around people energizes the Horse and he's usually the one who decides when and where the party will be. They're quite non-conformist, and if they meet a partner who is rather demanding and feel like they are being tied down, they'll gallop away to newer and sunnier pastures. The Horse mellows down with age and it is usually when if he hasn't found stability in his younger life, he will settle later. The Horse can be headstrong and hard to live with if he doesn't quite get his way, hence making it best for him to be with someone who is looking in the same direction as he is. The emotional aloofness and independent streak of freedom can be a magnet for those of the opposite sex as people are many times drawn to something they can't quite have. They should learn how not to let their independence get in the way of finding true love, if that is what they're looking for. He is spirited and lively and there couldn't possibly be a dull moment with him. At Best: Cheerful, popular, quick-witted, changeable, earthy, perceptive, talkative, agile - mentally and physically, magnetic, intelligent, astute, flexible, open minded. At Worst: Fickle, arrogant, childish, anxious, rude, gullible, stubborn. The Sheep - 羊 Hitsuji Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Fire Year: 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907 Month: August Hour: 13:00 - 15:00 The Sheep represents the peak of altruism and elegant femininity in the Japanese/Chinese zodiac. Gentle and mellow, the Sheep is hardly ever aggressive, though whatever little aggressiveness there might be, will manifest itself as passive-aggressive behavior. Fashionably refined and artistic by way of mere perception or bringing about a form of it, they are aesthetically inclined in performing arts and/or visual arts. The Sheep loves driving through a peaceful countryside, walking along a lovely park, and a beautiful candlelight dinner under moonlight with a soft gusty breeze and all that kindles his ever-romantic nature. They adore nature, four-footed or feathered friends. It is unlikely, however, for a great adventure to show its pompous face, as the Sheep is more subdued and would rather visit peaceful places and situations. The Sheep can be indecisive and he'd rather wish that he wouldn't have to make a decision when awfully difficult ones pop up. When things don't quite go the Sheep's way, or even get close to that, he becomes quite moody and stressed out. They tend to worry quite a bit, which adds to their being edgy. They have an esoteric streak about them and may engage in some sort of occultism. The Sheep in Relationships The Sheep can be a little timid and have difficulty standing up and speaking out loud for his rights, and if he isn't careful, people can take advantage of them. Their changeable nature makes them change their likes and dislikes plenty of times, making them unpredictable. The Sheep at worst can be capricious and aren't always so reliable. However, they are very sensitive and irresistibly adorable. If you know a Sheep, he is probably one of the warmest, loving and tender persons you know. They are good-hearted and their care is always genuine. Readily forgiving and congenial, the Sheep do well in social situations. They are quite wondrously tactful in their choice of words and are neither caustic nor mean with a sharp tongue, which further adds to the lure of their warm personality. At Best: Righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, shy, artistic, creative, gentle, compassionate, understanding, mothering, peaceful, generous, seeks security. At Worst: Moody, indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, over-sensitive, complainer, weak-willed. The Monkey - 猿 Saru Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Metal Year: 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908 Month: September Hour: 15:00 - 17:00 Getting straight down to monkey business, the Monkey is fun and versatile and designed to bring about a grin on everyone's face, including his own first. You can give the cheerful, energetically creative and playful Monkey a copy of 'A History of Petroleum Tax Law Regulation' and he can turn it into a musical. They love refinement, originality and luxury and can be shamelessly blatant about their attraction to money. The Monkeys key to popularity is mainly his charm and humor. But don't be too deceived as he's adept at hiding his true opinions under a guise of friendliness that appears genuine. However, he is no master with hiding his feelings as you can hear the Monkey screech from miles away about how genially hapd, self-confident and opportunistic, the Monkey can be quite unreasonable sometimes. Watpy or loathsomely sad he is. When you're up against a problem, dial M for Monkey as they are incredible with problem-solving. They are ever curious and hungry for knowledge. Self-centerech out for 'oh so well-convinced' Monkey believing something is right, as he may easily persuade you and lug you into it too. The Monkey is highly and keenly competitive and can assimilate facts, figures, pick up new skills and techniques at breathtaking speed, making them a force to reckon with when it comes to business. They spend quite a bit of their time in their head, thinking too much sometimes, owing to their cleverness. They're quick at picking up on details that many others might fail to notice making them shrewd judges of character. They might gamble a bit too much and maybe need to watch out for this tendency, if it goes overboard a bit. The Monkey in Relationships They are the gregarious sort who will have a wide social circle of friends and acquaintances who will ply them with the mental and social stimulation they need and quite constantly too. Although the Monkey can be unrealistically romantic, if you want a stable, serious long-term relationship, the Monkey will do then what he does best, monkeying around. Because such a sort of relationship cannot hold their interest for too long a time. Though they are passionate, they will not quite be the most stable ones and some mischievous ones can stir things up to a point where everything becomes dangerously intriguing to them and a little unsettling for everyone else, they sit back and watch the sparks fly. But his sense of humor will get him out of any tight and sticky situation. As friends, Monkeys are both loyal and devoted and as lovers, they are passionate yet flighty. They fall in love easily and get bored just as easily if they don't find the relationship stimulating enough. The Monkey is good at enjoying and getting people to have fun too with their infectious personality. The Monkey is quite a flirt and needs someone who is patient and willing to take some efforts and know that their charm can't be all such a waste. Once, however, the Monkey plans to settle down, he can make a very devoted and faithful partner than most people are. At Best: Inventor, motivator, improviser, quick-witted, inquisitive, flexible, innovative, problem solver, self-assured, sociable, artistic, polite, dignified, competitive, objective, factual, intellectual. At Worst:Egotistical, vain, arrogant, selfish, reckless, snobbish, deceptive, manipulative, cunning, jealous, suspicious. The Rooster - 鶏 Tori Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Metal Year: 2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909 Month: October Hour: 17:00 - 19:00 The notoriously dominant and refined Rooster is neither very complicated nor profound. He loves being noticed and flattered. He might appear rather flashy but underneath his free-living persona is a conservative heart. The Rooster is sociable, acutely expressive in deference to verbal and non-verbal communication, loves receiving ample attention and is good at getting it. Due to their critical nature and acute perception, even their sense of humor is quite wry, expressing things ironically. They are enthusiastic and efficient and have quite a keen eye for detail, and are very effective at what they do. It is a rarity to see a Rooster just sitting about and hanging over a chair doing nothing. They are quite multitalented and are at their best when they're accomplishing what it is they believe they're designed to do. They have exceptional organizational skills and dislike anyone being disorganized, making sure they show it. The Rooster is self-confident to the point of being over-confident too often. They spend their time idealizing situations, people and it lends them instant stature to their efforts and they have many people on their side that way. The Rooster knows how to flaunt what he's got too well, and can make a dramatic entrance anywhere and make sure everyone knows it. The Rooster is a great host and entertains well. They are practical, resourceful and love to dream. The Rooster is argumentative and also good at it. When he finds a fault with someone he can just go on and on about it, seldom giving it a rest and has a tendency to nag too much. They can be as enthusiastic bragging about themselves as they are criticizing others; and can be show-offs. They can often exaggerate extravagance with their pretentious nature that stems out of their need to impress. A Rooster at his worst is conceited, narrow-minded and selfish. The Rooster struts reveling in his being the center of attention and believes that he deserves the spotlight. In turn, he directs it onto others and often it isn't quite so welcome. The Rooster can, too often, be bossy, insensitive and tactless. They should learn to carefully listen and acknowledge other people's feelings, which is something they take a long time to work on. However, the Rooster is a devoted and loyal friend. The Rooster in Relationships The Rooster needs to let go of his ego a bit in order for a relationship to be surviving healthfully. It can bloom positively if he doesn't dominate. Even though, to the Rooster, it's more a matter of being a little bit playful with their authoritative behavior, it can drive a sensitive person away and make situations unpleasant at times. The opposite sex is quite attracted towards the Rooster because of their appearance. Intimacy is rather a cold cup of tea for the Rooster, as he tends to be judgmental a bit, with very strong feelings towards people. He either likes people immensely or outcasts them with utter dislike. The Rooster, in relationships can be very demanding. However, they don't mean it badly. Many times, it's just that they're either seeking too much attention and seeing to it that their strutting around is noticed, and this is just an instinctual need they have. Ample times, however, the Rooster doesn't quite see how nagging they are. Roosters are extremely loyal as they are too honest and wouldn't make their reality in such a manner that it would get in the way of a romance they'd like to keep alive for longer. The Rooster needs to find someone whose abilities and looks they can really adore and respect. He can certainly drive his family nuts due to his over attentiveness to detail. However, if this is used rightly, he can bring his attention to the details of the needs of his love, then the couple can really flourish. At Best: Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible. At Worst: Over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, proud, opinionated, given to empty bravado. The Dog - 犬 Inu Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal Year: 2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910 Month: November Hour: 19:00 - 21:00 The Dog symbolizes honor, justice and loyalty, and above all almost selfless humanitarianism. The Dog has faithfulness, sense of duty and sincerity in profound depths, and takes things rather seriously. He will certainly wag no tail when it comes to unjust matters. The Dog is the one to speak up for himself, and the ones who lose their voice to speak up, dedicating himself to matters which he considers of utmost importance, to the point of sacrifice. Protective about his pack, which is family and their close friends, the Dog is loyal to a point of being patriotic, if it comes to that. You can trust a Dog if you tell him any secret or something close to it being so. The Dog can appear bossy as he genuinely feels he knows best. The outer calm that the Dog portrays is in no accordance with a heart and mind that are always jumping. They have a tendency to look at things that they might consider as scope of being corrected. The Dog always works for the bigger whole than for himself alone. The Dog is prone to quite a bit of anxiety and fretting when they think they aren't good enough for something. When they fail to solve problems, they become quite cynical and skeptical about the world. Introverted, they will rarely show his true feelings, until he finds it an utmost necessity. The Dog is trusted by many and has the knack of gaining support from plenty of important people. The Dog is simplistic and hardly materialistic at all, caring more about people than about success or money. They are good at working their way up to accomplishing goals by way of hard work. The Dog in Relationships The Dog can be quite the worrier when it comes to relationships. When, however, they trust someone they are thorough with their loyalty and devotion, through thick and thin. They are desirable friends, deriving pleasure from friends and family. Altruistic by nature, their concern extends to humanity as a whole. The Dog is rather slow to anger and doesn't nag much. They're excellent at times with controlling their emotions and discerning, choosing their battles carefully. They aren't most diplomatic when it comes to criticism. The Dog's anger can flare up easily and violently too, owing to his highly protective nature. Reserved by nature, the Dog tends to be more subdued and narrow-minded, without continuous displays of affection. They tend to be critical with their judgments about people, and lash out against the ones who don't quite fit into their own frame of matters and what they consider ideal. The Dog needs to realize that, sometimes, his family needs more warmth than he provides. At Best: Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, courageous, devoted nature, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, sensitive, easygoing. At Worst: Cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome. The Boar - 猪 Inoshishi Yin, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Water Year: 2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911 Month: December Hour: 21:00 - 23:00 The last sign of the Japanese zodiac, the Boar is full of genuine affection, honesty and generosity. They tend to be in genial moods most of the time as they avoid making judgments, seeing the good sides of people, and have an earthy sense of humor. They're quite loved in their social circle and are pleasantly co-operative, doing well in group situations. The Boar is obliging and chivalrous, manners and good taste are quite important to him. Aesthetic and romantic, the Boar is caring, sensitive and exclusive to what he adores. They can be rather hard on themselves at times, though, and are scrupulous to fault. He is tolerant and understanding to the faults of others and is capable of accepting his own with a very calm air. They are pure at heart with a bit of hedonistic head. Even though, not all are scholars, they have a deep intellectual side and are very aware of the latest news or conspiracy theory. The Boar isn't the chattiest person, but when he does decide to speak, there isn't much that can stop him until he exhausts his subjects. Well-read, the Boar's knowledge is of a vast expanse. The Boar can fall into voids of sadness when they feel that life seems to be going against their flow. He can become suspicious and distrusting with those around him. They can get self-indulgent and can spend many an oblong idle hour with their new found loves. The Boar can feel rather powerless against hypocrisy because that is just not his game; and can go to lengths to explain himself and his actions. Although outwardly he may appear calm, the Boar has astonishing inner strength. They are quite content with modest means, accepting the luxury of life without being too demanding. They always tend to have a lot of support from friends. Materially, the Boar has all the essentials of life, whatever career path he chooses. They are great companions and can be quite the throbbing and vibrant heart of a fun-filled evening. The Boar, in general, can be quite lazy, but is lucky. The Boar in Relationships The Boar, often, gives a lot of himself and generously too. When in love, the Boar's emotions become rather transparent, making them vulnerable. Hence, they need a partner who isn't too domineering. They need someone who is sensitive and as giving as they are too. The Boar may tend to become promiscuous at times, but beneath all his blatant sexuality is a decent, honest, generous and loyal heart. They are quite sensual and value friendship most in an intimate relationship. Considerate, loyal and loving, the Boar is an ideal partner for a lady looking to settle down happily. The female Boar makes a very good mother. The simplicity of their soul and their talents flourish when they settle with the right partner, as they have the security of a supportive framework. They, then, devote themselves to their family and loved ones. The Boar is more optimistic about life and it is rather a rarity to see one backed into a corner with a sullen air, given up, with hands thrown up in the air. They find it very easy to make friends, and are sensitive lovers. At Best: Honest, gallant, sturdy, sociable, peace-loving, patient, loyal, hardworking, trusting, sincere, calm, understanding, thoughtful, scrupulous, passionate, intelligent. At Worst: Naive, over-reliant, self-indulgent, gullible, fatalistic, materialistic. There are the four trines to consider which impart each of its natives with some specific characteristics that hold true to those belonging to that particular trine. The people belonging to the trine are usually most compatible with each other. Compatible Pairings

• First Trine: Rat, Dragon, Monkey
• Second Trine: Ox, Snake, Rooster
• Third Trine: Tiger, Horse, Dog
• Fourth Trine: Rabbit, Sheep, Boar

Incompatible Pairings

• Rat and Horse
• Ox and Sheep
• Tiger and Monkey
• Rabbit and Rooster
• Dragon and Dog
• Snake and Boar

With everyone seeking love, truth and beauty, all the signs have a lot to teach and a lot to learn from one another. All the signs of the Japanese zodiac calendar along with their own idiosyncrasies and colorful personalities make a beautiful world, living together as a whole. All of us have our own inner night and day, and no one is in any place to judge another. Love, patience and trust make everything possible. And, with every lesson thoroughly learned, the world can only get better.