Yes, there's an animal lurking in you

Xin (pronounced “shin”) nian kuai-le, you gorgeous rats.

Happy new year to all 12 animals of the zodiac. To kick off the Year of the Rat Jan. 25, and 2020’s beginning of a new 12-year cycle, Thursday’s column offered an overview of the complex Chinese Zodiac, touching on the numerological and earthly aspects (fire, water, wood, earth, and metal).

Now back to those animals — outer, inner and secretive.

While the Chinese zodiac calendar was not implemented until 2600 B.C.E. by Emperor Huang Ti, its traditions trace several thousand years earlier, to Buddha. According to legend, as Buddha lay dying he called animals to him. The dozen who complied became the 12 zodiac animals of Chinese astrology.

Many Eastern civilizations believe that when a new year begins, the old one must be silenced. During Chinese New Year celebrations lasting two weeks, debts are paid; old wounds healed, forgiven and forgotten; doors painted and windows washed; even clothes and hair get new looks.

New year, new life, new hope.

Like Western counterparts Chinese astrologists believe birth year tremendously influences personality. Each animal sign corresponds with character traits. Birth year isn’t the only determinant; each person also has an “inner animal” based on birth month (listed in Thursday’s column), so both could affect personality.

The 12 in order are:

Rat (said to be first because he tricked the others) — imaginative, witty, charming, generous, but quick-tempered and thrifty. Birth years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008. Lucky numbers: 2, 3; lucky colors: blue, gold, green. Best matches: dragon, monkey, ox. Avoid sheep, horses, and rabbits.

Ox — patient, speak little, conservative, methodical, good with hands. Hate to be contradicted. Born 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009. Lucky Numbers: 1, 9; lucky colors: blue, red, purple. Best matches: rat, snake, rooster. Avoid horses, dogs, and sheep.

Tiger — sensitive, deep-thinking, bold, loving. Not so good with authority (who’d mess with a tiger?). Born 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010. Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4; colors: blue, gray, white, orange. Best matches: horse, dog. Avoid snakes and monkeys.

Rabbit — articulate, talented, ambitious, self-controlled. Born 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9; colors: red, pink, purple, blue. Best matches: sheep, pig, dog. Avoid rats and dragons.

Dragon — healthy, energetic, inspire confidence, eccentric, and stubborn. Born: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012. Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 6; colors: gold, silver, hoary (grayish white). Best matches: rat, monkey, rooster. Avoid oxen, rabbits, and dogs.

Snake — deep, financially well-off, intense, good-looking, but may be vain. Born 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013. Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9; colors: red, light yellow, black. Best matches: ox, rooster. Avoid tigers and pigs.

Horse — popular, cheerful, talkative, independent, impatient. 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014. Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 7; colors: brown, yellow, purple. Best matches: tiger, sheep, dog. Avoid rats, oxen, and rabbits.

Sheep/ goat — Diplomatic, communicative, compassionate, elegant in appearance, but confused by life. Birth years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015. Lucky Numbers: 3, 9, 4. Colors: green, red, purple. Best Matches: rabbit, horse, pig. Avoid ox, dog.

Monkey — inventive, clever, overly agreeable, strong-willed, but quick to let go of anger. 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016. Lucky numbers: 1, 8, 7; colors: white, golden, blue. Best matches: rat, dragon, snake. Avoid tigers and pigs.

Rooster — deep-thinking, capable, often right, emotional, lonely, but interesting. 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005. Lucky numbers: 7, 5, 8; colors: gold, brown, brownish yellow, yellow. Best matches: ox, dragon, snake. Avoid rats, rabbits, and dogs.

Dog — loyal, honest, non-materialistic, but can be selfish. 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006. Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9; colors: green, red, purple. Best matches: tiger, rabbit, horse. Avoid oxen, dragons, and sheep.

Pig — honest, shy (but warm), and patient; tend to withdraw when harmed. 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007. Lucky numbers: 2, 5, 8; colors: yellow, gray, brown, gold. Best matches: sheep, rabbit. Avoid snakes, monkeys, and pigs.

Now as it’s the Year of the Rat, a few facts about the real deal: (1) Pet rats are sweet as pie, highly social, and can even be trained, as this family can attest; (2) rats are revered in Rajasthan, India, where they have a dedicated temple; (3) rats can swim a mile and hold their breath for three minutes (please do not try that at home).

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who’s quite happily matched with the animal sign she’s supposed to avoid. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.