Reputedly the oldest chronological record in history, the ancient Chinese Lunar Calendar dates back beyond 2,600 BC. Based on the appearance of the new moon, it associates a different animal with each year in the 12-year lunar cycle.
Traditionally, the first year of the lunar cycle is ‘ruled’ by the mouse. According to legend, the order of the animals in Chinese astrology was determined by their race across a river. Unknown to the ox, the mouse hitched a ride on its back, leaping to victory at the very last second. The tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig followed the quick-thinking mouse and the flabbergasted ox to dry land.
In Chinese culture, each animal is believed to influence the personality of the people born under its ‘rule’. The following table makes it easy to determine your most likely Lunar animal. The exact dates of the current Lunar year, which are dictated by the appearance of the new moon, are included below.
| Mouse |
1924 |
1936 |
1948 |
1960 |
1972 |
1984 |
1996 |
2008 |
| Ox |
1925 |
1937 |
1949 |
1961 |
1973 |
1985 |
1997 |
2009 |
| Tiger |
1926 |
1938 |
1950 |
1962 |
1974 |
1986 |
1998 |
2010 |
|
Rabbit |
1927 |
1939 |
1951 |
1963 |
1975 |
1987 |
1999 |
2011 |
| Dragon |
1928 |
1940 |
1952 |
1964 |
1976 |
1988 |
2000 |
2012 |
| Snake |
1929 |
1941 |
1953 |
1965 |
1977 |
1989 |
2001 |
2013 |
| Horse |
1930 |
1942 |
1954 |
1966 |
1978 |
1990 |
2002 |
2014 |
| Goat |
1931 |
1943 |
1955 |
1967 |
1979 |
1991 |
2003 |
2015 |
| Monkey |
1932 |
1944 |
1956 |
1968 |
1980 |
1992 |
2004 |
2016 |
| Rooster |
1933 |
1945 |
1957 |
1969 |
1981 |
1993 |
2005 |
2017 |
| Dog |
1934 |
1946 |
1958 |
1970 |
1982 |
1994 |
2006 |
2018 |
| Pig |
1935 |
1947 |
1959 |
1971 |
1983 |
1995 |
2007 |
2019 |
Year of the Tiger – 14 February 2010 to 2 February 2011
 |
According to ancient Chinese mythology, beneath the calm exterior of people born in the Year of the Tiger lies the courageous and competitive personality of a natural leader.
Well-liked, people with ‘tiger’ personalities are charming, affectionate and passionate. Prepared to take risks, they remain optimistic in the knowledge that they will always land on their feet. Above all, the tiger symbolises power and daring.
Famous people born in the Year of the Tiger include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890), Sir Richard Branson (1950), and Steve Irwin (1962). |
Year of the Ox – 26 January 2009 to 14 February 2010
 |
Calm, confident and determined, these people reject get-rich-quick schemes and are prepared to work hard to make their fortune.
Said to make good leaders, people born in the Year of the Ox can be inspirational to others, usually make good parents, and possess an innate ability to achieve great things.
Intelligent, tolerant, easygoing and self-assured, they are often regarded as dependable, patient and modest. Most compatible with people born in the Year of the Rat or the Year of the Dragon, they also exhibit the need for financial and emotional security. |
Year of the Mouse - 7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009
 |
These people are said to possess enterprising spirits and are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. They love spending money and accumulating possessions. However, they should show restraint to avoid be labelled as greedy.
People born in the Year of the Mouse are also regarded as quick-witted and insightful, which equips them to succeed at almost anything. Ambition fuels their success, but sometimes it’s a stumbling block, particularly if they take on too many projects at once.
People born under the influence of the mouse are generally positive, cheerful, optimistic and charming, enabling them to make friends easily. They are most compatible with people born in the Years of the Dragon and Monkey. |