Did you know an auspicious time is very important to the Chinese?

That is perhaps why they place so much importance on astrology.

The Chinese use 12 animals to express zodiacal time, thanks to a legend about Buddha.

He once summoned all animals before him one New Year's day. Twelve of them came.

The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and, finally, the Pig.

In return, he gave them each a year to express their personality.

2005 is the Year of the Rooster.

Based on your date of birth, find out which sign you belong to.

Click on the animal names to find out!

The Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

The Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994

The Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995

The Rat: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

The Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

The Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

The Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

The Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

The Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

The Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

The Sheep: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

The Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

ALSO SEE
Chinese New Year Recipes!
Happy Indian Chinese New Year
A feast for the soul
Check out Shobhaa De's latest book!

TEXT: Manisha Dudaney