Phantom Maelstrom

Happy New Year everyone! It's the year of the Dragon! Well, not actually, as the Chinese Zodiac is based on Chinese calendar, and Chinese New Year is yet to be celebrated. Anyways, I would like to celebrate the day with a post about Chinese astrology. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not promoting Astrology here; it's not part of this site's theme - it's not even Science. However, just for the sake of fun and entertainment, I have created a list of the Chinese Zodiac signs and their meanings.

To give an idea of the difference between the Chinese Zodiacs and the common Zodiac signs is that instead of celestial beings and creatures, the Chinese use animals (except for the Dragon, which is a mythical creature). And instead of basing the zodiac sign on the month of birth, the Chinese astrology base their zodiacs on year of birth.

List of Chinese Zodiacs

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

RAT

According to astrologer Richard Giles, rats are intelligent, charming, ambitious, and often successful in business.

They are quick to spot potential and put their creative, clever ideas into effect. At times they may appear stubborn, selfish and greedy, as they approach things wholeheartedly.

They are energetic and great organizers. They are suited to careers in shop keeping, sales, buying and selling, or accountancy. Rats shine in managerial positions. In partnership, Rats are faithful if their partner provides the security and love they need.

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

MONKEY

Richard Giles said that these are the active signs of the zodiac. People born in these years have an inner spirit of lightning energy. They have a mental gift of being intelligent and are able to learn quickly. They come up with new ideas and like to learn new things. They love playing games and are often ready to tease or play tricks. Their fast moving energy makes them sometimes appear insensitive to others so often for this reason they find it hard to settle with one person. Monkeys often find themselves born into families that support them well. They can be very ambitious and adaptable. In career they are good at design, media management, public relations and planning.

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

ROOSTER

These people are very courageous, brave and wise, according to Giles.

They enjoy singing and music and can be very creative. Often have very powerful imaginations.

They have a strength of persistence and often exhibit strong personal power usually knowing what they want.

They are very good talkers and can persuade others. In relationships, they frequently yearn for companionship or friendship and make astute observers of what happens in a partnership. In career, they can be adept in politics, public relations, arts, creative work, and scientific endeavors.

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

DOG

According to Giles, this is the honest, friendly and sincere sign of the zodiac. People born under the Dog always seem to be ready for action and this quality brings respect from others around them. They can be brave and courageous and rarely withdraw from a commitment or betray a confidence. Their inner power and physical vigor makes them good people to have on a team. They are very loyal and reliable and in relationships settle with someone who supports them. They are devoted to the welfare of others and are often wonderful listeners. They can be very faithful to their partners and to others around them. The careers they approach include teaching, social work, counseling, medicine, research, public campaigning and law.

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

PIG

Pigs are tolerant and generous, virtuous and peaceful, says Richard Giles. They are well liked for their honesty and warm natures. They aim to find the best in people and allow others plenty of freedom of expression. They are often imbued with the energy of wealth and the support of others though they are not concerned with accumulating wealth. They can be content with modest means. They rarely criticize others and are not vengeful and thus have few enemies.

The pig accepts the existing richness of life and doesn't demand more. They enjoy simple and earthy pleasures. In relationships they give love and affection and trust that they will receive the same. They possess considerable determination and if they set their minds on something, they will pursue and attain it.

Good careers are in music, food, writing, social work, gardening and looking after others.

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

RABBIT

They are usually generous, friendly and tranquil by nature.

Rabbits like everything to be low key and even tempered and are anxious if forced to take risks. They enjoy paying attention to detail to create an ambiance in their lives. Rabbits most often prefer the easy road.

Their ideal partner is loving and kind hearted and always fulfills their partner's desires.

Rabbits are suited to careers in literature, art, design, public relations, counseling, advisory occupations and law. They also make good secretaries.

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

SNAKES

Giles says Snakes like to always be in control, are charming and captivating, yet calculating and often conservative. They are often enduring characters who can keep going in adversity. They have the alertness of the snake and often exhibit uncanny perception. Companionship, moral support and love are important to a Snake in intimate relationships. Their partners must like cozy surroundings and intimacy. They are brilliant at laying in wait and may patiently observe for months or years, then strike at the right moment. Their careers are in public relations, archaeology, astrology, philosophy, catering or the law.

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

DRAGON

Their personality is energetic, enthusiastic and self-confident. Dragons are good at creating an impression.

Dragons are interested in the world around them, full of energy and are comfortable with being the center of attention. In difficult situations, Dragons can judge well, stepping in at the right moment to resolve things. They can be decisive, lucky and capable yet quiet serious and dignified. They can also be brave and charismatic and have a wholehearted approach to life. They see themselves as protectors. In partnerships they look for someone who will give them space and at the same time satisfy their romantic nature. They can often be disappointed at what they see as weakness in others. Their careers can be in acting, law, religion, management and the arts. Enjoying responsibility, they will not tolerate being trapped in poor jobs or being at the mercy of others.

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

HORSE

Giles says that horses are independent, confident, full of strength and ambitious. They are also very honest and loyal. They set out to achieve recognition for their skills. They often turn out to be totally devoted to their work, family or home. Even in the face of crises, Horses have a tendency to go forward which is a sign of their tremendous inner confidence. They are willing to do their very best and are usually devoted to whatever they focus on. They are often very devoted to their tasks and need a partner who will take care of them but will also leave them free to pursue their own adventures if needed. In careers, they will make good politicians, explorers and artists.

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

GOAT

Goat are considered patient and like to exercise moderation and caution in all aspects of their lives, says Giles. They can bear great pressure and remain stable. They can be very hard workers, accomplishing much and can easily take on more than their load. They will often remain in the background of an endeavor, not needing to hog the limelight. They are also good team workers.

Their steadfastness makes them very reliable.

In love, they tend towards a partner who will protect them and give them space for their creativity. They can have careers in the arts, research, outdoor work, emergency relief work, in libraries or in design.

Years:  1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

TIGER

Tigers are determined, enthusiastic and positive with a sense of superiority. They explore the potential in unlikely situations. They like to see everything settled, rarely abandon projects and will become self centered and obstinate if they fail to achieve.

Tigers tend to place themselves in leadership or radical roles. They may become aggressive if trapped.

In love, they need a steady consistent partner who quietly gets on with their own life.

They are born leaders, are suited to travel, designing, advertising, politics or the military, according to Giles.

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

OX

According to Giles, they are steady, honest, gentle and reliable. The Ox builds plans and ideas on firm ground. Patience and hard work being success to the Ox. They need peace and quiet to work through their ideas and are best left alone to work as they can become hotheaded, inflexible and stubborn when pushed.

They are logical and find it hard to forgive if deceived. They prefer a truthful, loyal and committed partner.

They work well in careers that does with the earth, visual arts, farming, estate management, cooking, religion and medicine. They are often very skilled with their hands.

So there you have it. Those were Richard Giles' interpretations. By the way, Giles is a writer, astrologer, geomancer and Feng Shui consultant. Once again, might I remind everyone that this is simply something for fun, please don't take it so seriously. Of course, everyone can have any of the zodiacs' characteristics. Being born on a specific year does not necessarily mean, you are like that.