Chinese Zodiac: The Year of The Tiger (hǔ 虎) 
According to Chinese legend and folklore, the animals quarreled to see who should lead the Zodiac cycle. To establish the order of the Chinese Zodiac, the gods decided to hold a race. The animal that reached the opposite side of the river first would lead the Chinese Zodiac cycle; the rest of the animals would receive their position in the cycle according to their finish. All the animals lined up on the bank of a river and were given the task of getting to the opposite bank. The animals order in the Chinese Zodiac Calendar would be determined by the order in which they reached the other river bank.
The Race:Being afraid of water, the cat contemplated how it would get across the river. At the same time, the ox/buffalo was trying to figure out how it would cross with its poor eyesight. The calculating rat suggested to the cat that they jump onto the ox's back and help guide him across. Being steady and hard-working, the ox did not notice the commotion brewing on his back. While crossing the river on the ox’s back, the rat snuck up behind the unsuspecting cat and pushed him into the river. As the ox came ashore, the rat jumped off its back onto the bank and finished the race first. And so the rat got the first year named after him, the ox got the second year, and so on; the lazy pig ended up as the last year in the cycle. The cat finished too late to win any place in the Zodiac Calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.
The Twelve animals (十二生肖: shí'èr shēngxiào, or colloquially 十二屬相: shí'èr shǔxiàng) representing the twelve Earthly Branches are, in order, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig (or boar).
The Metal Tiger (1950 - 2010)
People born under the sign of the Tiger are assertive, brave, competitive, and unpredictable. They love to be challenged and, and will take on anyone to protect their honor or loved ones. Don't be lured by their calm lackadaisical attitude; they'll pounce when it is necessary. Their confidence comes from the fact that no matter what happens they'll always land on their feet. Metal Tigers will do whatever it takes to remain the center of attention and tend to jump to conclusions.
