Chinese Zodiac: The Year of The Rat
According to Chinese legend, twelve animals quarreled to see who should be the head of the zodiac cycle.  To determine the order of the animals, the gods decided to hold a race.  Whoever reached the opposite side of the river first would lead, and the rest of the animals would receive their position 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 shore. Their order in the calendar would be set by the order in which the animals managed to reach the other side.  The cat wondered how he would get across if he was afraid of water.  At the same time, the ox wondered how he would cross with his poor eyesight.  The calculating rat suggested that he and the cat jump onto the ox's back and guide him across.  The ox was steady and hard-working so that he did not notice a commotion on his back.  In the meanwhile, the rat snuck up behind the unsuspecting cat and shoved him into the water. Just as the ox came ashore, the rat jumped off and finished the race first.  The lazy pig came to the far shore in twelfth place.  And so the rat got the first year named after him, the ox got the second year, and the pig ended up as the last year in the cycle.  The cat finished too late to win any place in the 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 Pig and Rat are in the Water group of which 2007 is the first year of the Water cycle and 2008 is the second year of the Water cycle.  Water of 2008 is stronger than the Water in 2007.  If Water is your lucky element, then 2008 should be your lucky year.  If you think you were lucky in 2007, then your luck will be continue and should be even better in 2008.

 

Usually sociable and friendly, Rats are one of the extroverts of the Animal Zodiac. Often, Rats are lively and genial, and have a special gift for easing the minds of others.  It is not astonishing that Rats have a lot of friends.  They are intriguing conversationalists and great speakers.   Rats can generally find something to say on just about any subject or topic. Of course, there is always that renowned Rat lure that allows them to charm the pants off of people!  To the people they love, Rats can be remarkably charitable, popular and supportive, and will go out of their way to be certain their loved ones are content.  On the other hand, if the Rat does not like someone, he is considered fair game and can be used to achieve any and all of the Rat's desires.  Though at the end of the day, the Rat is a loyal friend and will be there for his companions through thick and thin.

Upcoming Chinese New Years:
January 26, 2009 :: February 14, 2010 :: February 3, 2011 :: January 23, 2012 :: February 10,2013.