Look, you don't have to TELL me. You know what year you were born and thats all you need to know to know what Chinese Astrological Sign you are.

Chinese astrological signs were supposedly started by Buddah. Legend has it he called all the animals of the kingdom and only 12 showed up. These are the guys in Chinese astrology. Apparently Buddah didn't have as much pull as we thought. In any case they are as follows:

The Rat, The Ox, The Tiger, The Cat, The Dragon, The Snake, The Horse, The Goat, The Monkey, The Rooster, The Dog, and The Pig.

Now which animal are you?

You are a Rat if you were born in 1900, 1912,1924,1936,1948,1960,1972,1984,1996,2008.

You are an Ox if you were born in 1901,1913,1925,1937,1949,1961,1973,1985,1997,2009.

You are a Tiger if you were born in 1902,1914,1926,1938,1950,1962,1974,1986,1998,2010.

You are a Cat if you were born in 1903,1915,1927,1939,1951,1963,1975,1987,1999,2011.

You are a Dragon if you were born in 1904,1916,1928,1940,1952,1964,1976,1988,2000.

You are a Snake if you were born in 1905,1917,1929,1941,1953,1965,1977,1989,2001.

You are a Horse if you were born in 1906,1918,1930,1942,1954,1966,1978,1990,2002.

You are a Goat if you were born in 1907,1919,1931,1943,1955,1967,1979,1991,2003.

You are a Monkey if you were born in 1908,1920,1932,1944,1956,1968,1980,1992,2004.

You are a Rooster if you were born in 1909,1921,1933,1945,1957,1969,1981,1993,2005,

You are a Dog if you were born in 1910,1022,1934,1946,1958,1970,1982,1994,2006.

You are a Pig if you were born in 1911,1923,1935,1947,1959,1971,1983,1995,2007.

Please note: The Chinese year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those of you born in January and February please take care when determining your sign.  A list of websites are below to help you better determine your sign if you were born in these months.

Ok, so you found out you're a rat or a dog or a pig...Now what does it mean?

The following is a brief description of what each Chinese Animal Sign means. Like the Eastern astrology signs the Western Animal Astrological Signs have elements and characteristics, both good and bad.

The Rat - While we are considered bottom dwelling disease ridden rodents here in the West (yes, I am a Rat), fortunately, we are not considered in such low regard in the East. On the contrary, the Rat is actually resourceful, clever, charismatic, appealing, thrifty and sociable creatures. We are charming, aggressive and it is very rare that we are ever remotely unattractive. Rats are natural born leaders that like to get things done, which is why they generally succeed. Rats love to talk incessently, and if a Rat loves you, consider yourself pampered and spoiled. Inherently intelligent, Rats make good lawyers and executives. They can however, be quite nervous, pushy, and have a thirst for power.

The Ox - Oh you crazy worker bee you. You ox are called Type-A personalities here in America. You not only work hard but you expect others to work hard as well. You have an integrity and strength of purpose far and above the other signs. Creative, practical and hard working that is the Ox. On the other hand, you are not so affectionate and sweet and you're known to be pretty stubborn. However, while you may not show tremendous physical affection, you will write bad poetry and take ballroom dancing lessons. Your affairs are hot and intense, but if you have to, you can go without sex for long periods of time. Those who love an ox have a long road to hoe...no pun intended, but this could take awhile, alot of patience and seduction may be in order.

The Tiger - This is my youngest son and right on target I am afraid. Hasty, passionate rule-breaker, that's the Tiger. Tigers have to keep moving and keep experiencing. They simply cannot be contained. Tigers couldn't care less about designer clothing, they walk to the tune of their own inner drummer anyway. Tigers tend to rush ahead without thinking which can put them in some precarious situations but when cornered the Tiger's self-preservation instinct will kick in and save him/her. Tigers generally don't give much thought to money and yet always seem to have it. If they run out, they get more. That's all there is to it. Tigers cannot tolerate rules and particularly unfair ones. They hate injustice but love to fight authority. They have an opinion and they will defend that opinion to the bitter end. The secret to the Tigers success is the people they tend to surround themselves with.

The Cat - (also considered The Rabbit) - Ahhh the refinement and dignity of the Cat. Cat's do not show off, but are naturally chic and refined. Cats love elegance and comfort, earth colors and comfortable deep over sized chairs. Not overly fond of crowds, Cats tend to stay home and enjoy their own understated surroundings. While Cats have finesse, virtue and ambition, they can also be secretive, neurotic and frustratingly complex. Cat's love peace, and avoid conflict. Cat's are not arrogant and cold, but they can be distant and hard to figure out. They do make wonderful friends and give good advice, they are even generous. If you are interested in a cat, don't be showy and aggressive, that will not work. Just remember your manners and act appropriately and they may very well snuggle up to you.

The Dragon - My eldest son and once again right on the mark. The Dragons are the elite of the Eastern Astrological signs. Dragons know everything, or I should say, they think they do. Good luck telling them anything at all. Dragon people stand out weather they want to or not. They are natural born leaders as their enthusiasm is infectious. Dragons possess strength, good health and a need to succeed. They can also be rigid and are very slow to trust others. They are attractive and irresistible creatures. It is not just magnetism, it is a force to be recokoned with. Still, they can be quite sentimental. If you cry dragons will lose all resolve. Dragons love to party and make noise. So if you love a dragon, get used to the commotion or buy yourself a set of ear plugs.

The Snake - Thanks to that old Garden of Eden thing, Snakes have had a pretty bad reputation. But snakes can actually be quite attractive, sensual and wise. They are also known to be quite intuitive and discreet. Snakes can also be quite virtuous, except when they are lying of course. Snakes tend to like to accessorize; scarves, hats, gloves, bags, watches, money...Snakes like to look good all the time and they are attractive enough to pull it off. While they can be quite extravagant, they tend to be lazy. Oddly enough while Snakes always have money, you can be sure they didn't work all that hard for it. You know how snakes can circle around you and pull very hard and smother you? Thats what it is to be in a relationship with a snake, they are overly-possessive. You might want to rethink this one.

The Horse - While Horse people start out extremely challenging kids, they end up being amazing adults. They love to feel free and connected to everything around them, so everything around them better be a reflection of them. This means their point of view is the only one. Horse people are better off with stability and while they leave home rather young, they can find mischief if not in a stable and responsible environment. But that is the last thing they will look for. Horses are popular, have style are usually accomplished and can be very persuasive, why would they throw all that away on stability and responsibility? Besides freedom is what Horses are all about. Horses also think they can do anything and will try to. Horses can learn just about anything and make great friends. Horses don't need the ideal situation for survival, they adapt and will make the situation suit them. Horses can be selfish and are clearly rebellious. If you love a Horse, be prepared to make it all about them because they think it is.

The Goat - What a sweet peace lover the goat is. They love a warm and cozy space but have no idea how to go about securing one. They are so dependent and needy these poor creatures. They desperately seek security, but they live in the now so don't have much foresight to ensure that security. Goats are sensitive creatures with both good manners and good taste but they can be quite impractical and tend to be on the worrisome side. Goats are very rarely ever single as that is not stable. They need to feel "attached" to something. Very creative individuals goats are good with their hands, they can craft, build and repair. Goats tend to be calm and if the world is falling down around your ears the goat will help you fix it and get it back to new again but tends not to get overly emotional about it. It's cool, it will be alright. It's no big deal says the Goat. Not one for deadlines and rules, goats don't pay too much attention to those mundane things. However, if a Goat sees something it really really wants, it will go after it - and it will get it.

The Monkey - What a wonderful human being Monkey people are. Those born in the year of the monkey are beloved. They are funny, cunning, kind to animals, love kids, charming individuals. Who happen to love shenanigans. Monkeys care very much about how they look and how you feel. They are usually attractive and very loveable. Monkeys make great life long friends, wonderful neighbors and are hard working. These little problem solvers make excellent business people. Monkeys can be good at sports and tend to be in good shape. They are huge communicators as this is very important to them. Monkeys like to have atleast a few children and make excellent parents. But if a monkey is your mate, give him the freedom he needs, he isn't going anywhere.

The Rooster - If you are talking to a Rooster you are no doubt talking about the latest style, latest gadgets, latest electronic devices, latest anything as Roosters love to boast about what they have recently acquired, what they know, who they know, where they've been and so on. Not that they need people to crow to, Roosters are fine on their own thank you very much, resilient, conservative, chic and humorous, they don't necessarily need anyone to applaud them. A Rooster tends to do whatever they want to do and doesn't let pesky details stand in their way, they usually have someone else to handle those anyway. Roosters are filled with energy and are often on the move. They like to be in control so they are certain things will run smoothly. These guys are not big risk takers. And while they may be dressed with style and falir, they are quite conservative at heart.

The Dog - Would it surprise you if I said people born in the year of the Dog are loyal, devoted, faithful and honest? No, ha? It would surprise you however if I told you that they are crusaders who champion most causes because they feel the world is a very difficult place to live and it is their job to make it better, right? Dogs are going to save the world or at the very least, make it a safer place to live. People born in the year of the Dog are people magnets, after all everybody loves a dog!! They are nice, kind, loving souls. While Dogs can snap, it is very rare that they will do so and only for very good reason. Although Dogs can be cynical and critical they still make excellent partners as their lovable nature overrules these minor faults.

The Pig - Pigs can be crude, materialistic and ... well, pigheaded. But that aside, Pigs can be great people. Those born in the year of the pig have great taste. They can make the most run down place a warm and cozy home. Pigs have culture and are quite informative. They love good food and can over eat. Pigs are never in prison as they are too neurotic for a life of crime. Pigs can be too nice and you needn't wait for a moment of weakness to try to get them to say "yes", they always say "yes". But don't make a pig angry. As sweet and wonderful as they can be, when they do get angry it is frightening. It can be that proverbial straw that broke the camels back and the Pig will lose it. Throw them some chocolate and hope for the best.