In the previous HSK reading lesson 十二生肖, we introduced the Chinese names of the 12 zodiac animals. Today, we’ll continue to explore the zodiac animals, what “Ben Ming Nian” is, and what personality traits each animal has.
Chinese Zodiac Animals in Order
The Chinese zodiac is known as 生肖() or 属相() in Chinese, similar to the western horoscope. There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals, in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. What is your Chinese zodiac animal sign? Find it out with our zodiac calculator.
Ben Ming Nian
Ben Ming Nian (本命年) is your Chinese zodiac birth year. You might assume that when it comes to the year of your zodiac animal every 12 years, it’s your time to shine. Not necessarily. It’s the exact opposite! Your zodiac year is considered unlucky.
Actually, you should be extra-careful during the year of your birth animal (namely when you are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 or 96 years old), which is believed to be a year of obstacles. It can bring misfortune.
There is belief that “people in their zodiac year are believed to offend Tai Sui, the God of Age, and incur his curse.” Chinese astrology characterizes Tai Sui as an imaginary celestial body, or collection of stars, that corresponds to the position of Jupiter.
But don’t worry too much! Chinese people believe that there are ways to avoid the misfortune during your Ben Ming Nian. Among many, the most popular way is to wear red underwear! Other than that, a red waist belt, red bracelet, or any other red clothing is supposed to help. Even though this is an ancient Chinese superstition, it is still done by most Chinese as a tradition.
Personality Trait of Each Zodiac Animal
The zodiac sign system plays an essential role in Chinese culture because it is not only used to represent years in China, but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune. It’s believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal.
The following are the lunar calendar birth years corresponding to each animal and a brief overview of the personality traits associated with them. Click the sign of your animal and see what personality you have!
Rat
Birth years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Personality traits: quick-witted, resourceful, smart
Rats are quick-witted, resourceful, and smart but lack courage. With rich imaginations and sharp observations, they can take advantage of various opportunities well.
In Chinese culture, rats represent working diligently and thriftiness, so people born in a Rat year are thought to be wealthy and prosperous.
Ox
Birth years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Personality traits: diligent, hardworking, reliable, patient, stubborn
Having an honest nature, the Ox is known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination.
Having great patience and a desire to make progress, Oxes can achieve their goals by consistent effort. They are not much influenced by others or the environment, but persist in doing things according to their ideas and capabilities.
Before taking any action, Oxes will have a definite plan with detailed steps, to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength. As a result, people of the Ox zodiac sign often enjoy great success.
Tiger
Birth years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Personality traits: confident, forceful, brave, adventurous, ambitious, arrogant
Tigers, considered to be brave, cruel, forceful, and terrifying, are the symbol of power and lordliness in Chinese culture. In ancient times, people usually compared emperors or kings with the tigers.
The Chinese zodiac Tiger sign entitles people born in the Years of the Tiger to be natural leaders. They are adventurous, ambitious and have a strong sense of justice, but maybe also a little arrogant and impetuous.
Rabbit
Birth years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Personality traits: kind, gentle, quiet, elegant, cautious
Rabbits tend to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, patient, and very responsible. However, they might be superficial, stubborn, melancholy, and overly-discreet.
Rabbits are faithful to those around them but are reluctant to reveal their minds to others, and have a tendency to escape reality. They are too cautious and conservative, which means they miss good opportunities.
Dragon
Birth years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Personality traits: Outspoken, energetic, generous, intelligent, impatient
Among the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the dragon is the only imaginary animal, that doesn’t exist in the real world. People born in the Year of the Dragon demonstrate natural leadership, power, and charisma. These associations make sense when you consider that Chinese dragons are wise, benevolent and powerful creatures. In addition, many believe that those born in the Year of the Dragon are naturally lucky people.
The Chinese dragon is the most vital and powerful beast in the Chinese zodiac, although Dragons have an infamous reputation for being a hothead and possessing a sharp tongue.
Gifted with innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence, dragon people are enthusiastic and confident. They are not afraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. The negative image is that dragons are sometimes regarded as aggressive.
Snake
Birth years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Personality traits: curious, alluring, wise, anxious, calculating, jealous
In Chinese culture, the Snake is the most enigmatic animal among the 12 zodiac animals. People born in a year of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive. Snakes tend to act according to their own judgments while remaining private and reticent. They are determined to accomplish their goals and hate to fail.
Snakes represent the symbol of wisdom. They are intelligent and wise. They are good at communication but say little. Snakes are usually regarded as great thinkers.
Snake people prefer to work alone; therefore, they are easily stressed. If they seem unusually stressed, it is best to allow them their own space and time to return to normal.
Horse
Birth years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Personality traits: amusing, enthusiastic, independent, irresponsible, opportunistic
People born in a year of the Horse are thought to be amusing, active, self-reliant and energetic. Horses love to be in a crowd, and they can usually be seen on such occasions as concerts, theater performances, meetings, sporting events, and parties.
With a deft sense of humor, Horses are masters of repartee. They love to take center stage and delight audiences everywhere.
Unfortunately, those born in the Year of the Horse are also impatient. Sometimes, the Horse is a little self-centered.
Goat
Birth years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Personality traits: easygoing, empathetic, creative, cheerful
People born in a year of the Goat are generally believed to be gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice.
They have very delicate thoughts, strong creativity, and perseverance, and acquire professional skills well. Although they look gentle on the surface, they are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions in their minds. They have strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts.
Although they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because they like spending a lot of time in their own thoughts.
Monkey
Birth years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Personality traits: entertaining, intelligent, optimistic, sociable, unpredictable
People born in the year of the Monkey have magnetic personalities and are witty and intelligent. Personality traits like mischievousness, curiosity, and cleverness make them very naughty.
Monkeys are masters of practical jokes, because they like playing most of the time. Although they don’t have bad intentions, their pranks sometimes hurt other people’s feelings.
Monkeys are fast learners and crafty opportunists. They have many interests and need partners who are capable of stimulating them. While some like the eccentric nature of Monkeys, others don’t trust their sly, restless, and inquisitive nature.
Rooster
Birth years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Personality traits: talkative, open, resourceful, courageous, and talented
The rooster symbolizes straightforwardness and honesty.
Roosters are talkative, open, honest, and loyal individuals. They like to be the center of attention and always appear attractive and beautiful. It’s also associated with practical individuals and perfectionists. People born in a year of the Rooster are also very resourceful, courageous, and talented.
Roosters expect others to listen to them while they speak, and can become agitated if they don’t. Vain and boastful, Roosters like to brag about themselves and their accomplishments.
Unfortunately, people born in the Year of the Rooster are also materialistic. Their behavior of continually seeking the unwavering attention of others annoys people around them at times.
Dog
Birth years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Personality traits: loyal, honest, trustworthy, unselfish, pessimistic, anxious, timid
Dogs are loyal and honest, amiable and kind, cautious and prudent. Due to having a strong sense of loyalty and sincerity, Dogs will do everything for the person who they think is most important.
As Dogs are not good at communication, it is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the impression that they have a stubborn personality.
When thrown into doubt, Dogs think the world is evil and complicated. Then they criticize sharply when making comments, and infer that all things are according to their pessimistic point of view.
Pig
Birth years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Personality traits: diligent, generous, smart, outgoing, fearful, impatient, materialistic
Pigs are diligent, compassionate, and generous. They have great concentration: once they set a goal, they will devote all their energy to achieving it. Though Pigs rarely seek help from others, they will not refuse to give others a hand. Pigs never suspect trickery, so they are easily fooled.
Generally speaking, Pigs are relatively calm when facing trouble. No matter how difficult the problems are Pigs encounter, they can handle things properly and carefully. They have a great sense of responsibility to finish what they are engaged in.