The Chinese Zodiac

[Stirfry]

http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/CFTCal2.htm

Which through that site says "Your are Brown Dragon, born in the year of Brown Sheep, Spring time. The year is the information about your ancestor. The month is the information about your parents. The hour is to do with your children. The day represents you with your spouse's information."

http://dragonpower.tribe.net/thread/...8-8d497390187e
"Ok. The day is the self. this is the equivalent of the sun in western astrology. Days have an element and a sign. The hour of birth is the ascendant. This is the superego the side of ourselves we show the world. The year of birth is the influence your ancestors have on you, the what of the individual. What you are is the year you were born. This also has an element a sign and a male or female designation. "

1. What is your animal?

Technically, it would make me an earth dragon. (by day)

2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?
3. Do you see any similarities between other branches of Astrology? If so, what?
4. Do you prefer this branch over others and why?

As most "astrology" goes, it's only made up of portions to serve as a generalized guideline. The commercial industry usually focuses on two areas: daily entertainment and creating personality archetypes, one might answer from a multiple choice question on a personality profile or base summary one might get from a life coach or analyst.

It is kind of the equivolent of determining a mental illness by doing the hokey-pokey (you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about. And if you did this just because of pressure to conform to a group mentality or some unknown meta-programming that suggests you've been voted most likely to join a cult. Albeit the hokey-pokey is far less serious than line-dancing or the dreaded macerena, but regardless you're still likely quite insane.) or answering five questions on prescription medication site.

Actually though many M.H. conditions and non-m.h. conditions, particularly conditions in which people are born with illustrate many social generalizations on personalities, similarities in a broad and diverse group of people. Even when they're painstakingly untrue in individual cases, it's more difficult to dismiss than if we were to call it astrology.

Even in the stereotypes of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender roles, sexuality, biological sex, and so on... social niches or socio-cultural associations from potheads to potter fans; there's usually a prescribed picture in ones' head of what they look like and what determines a *real* one.

Overall, the base description fits with my western chart and my personality profile, which more or less state the same thing. It's an odd little coincidence I think. Or perhaps it all rather interrelated.

As to what I personally feel... Well, I'd like to believe in a sense of free-will rather than being bound to concepts of "fate" to map out my existence, personality, history, associations or even future. It's easy enough to dismiss it. But it's also easy enough to recognize the pieces which fit as to those which don't.

The same way in which I may establish or feel kinship with friends or other associates, which is more intuitive than rational. And there are several in which there are no rational reasons for us to be friends, yet it's something more than being a glutton for punishment or the desperation of socialization.

And I suppose even with the generalizations which bind me to certain friends or personality archetypes, if nothing else I suppose shows I'm human or at least belong in a group that's more universal than the communities in which I was born to.

I think it has benefit as entertainment, perhaps as opening the doorway to some introspective considerations and even presenting the opportunity to analyze relationships with the environment and its people. One more discussion at the watercooler, "Do you think this fits me?" or a reason to snark on my parent because she's my opposite, "See what having an unplanned pregnancy gets ya?"

It fits me to an almost sickening degree, I find astrology as an addition to personality profiling interesting, but I don't take it too seriously.

However, take away the meta labeling and then we can sit around and complain about how the last "generation" sucked and the one coming up isn't much better.

on another note, http://onnachance.com/stuff.php can be an entertaining distraction.

[kuroi_shi]

1. What is your animal?
... I'm a rat. =p

2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?
... Well, the rat seems sneaky and manipulative... I suppose I can be like that... But, so can anyone else..

3. Do you see any similarities between other branches of Astrology? If so, what?
... Well, My star sign is a Scorpio... And my personality is so close to the "Scorpio" personality it's creepy O.O

[Nakita]

I love Chinese astrology. I think the signs take a different prospective from those of Western sun signs, but are still usually very accurate. For example, my sun sign is a cancer but I'm a snake in the Chinese zodiac. Cancer's are known for being maternal, moody, romantic and creative. Snakes are known for being vain, elegant, intelligent and analytical. I think the two can play into one another at varying degrees and together really help expand on a person's traits and tendencies.

[Sorafune]

1. What is your animal?
I'm a fire tiger
2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?
No not really, I hate attention and one site said that fire tigers are always looking at the positive side of every situation and I'm one of the biggest pessimists you can find but one thing that does fit is that I have a short temper and I find it hard to make up my mind sometimes and I do find it fitting that I was born in the year of the tiger because the tiger is my favorite animal

[RavenLH]

1. What is your animal?I am a dragon
2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not? Somewhat, in regular astrology, I am a Gemini which kinda means a split personality, and the Dragon repersents one of my personalitys.

[John_Dawlish]

1. What is your animal?

Er, a little note on this:

My birthday, as far as I could see, was not on that site (I was born in 1997 and the most recent year is 1996). I went to a different site that is more or less along the same lines and got this:

Your Zodiac Sign is the Buffalo or Ox; Your Element is Fire

The buffalo is patient & speaks little. However, when you do speak it may be of great meaning. You inspire others to gain confidence. Although you are easy going & alert mentally & physically, you can anger easily are somewhat stubborn. The Buffalo dislikes failure & being opposed. Guard against treating love as a kind of game.

...and then I returned to the other site you posted and looked up Ox.

2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?

In some ways it does and in others it doesn't. The only thing that really stands out as being wrong is "[Oxes] have a long memory and remember the little details others miss." I don't have a good memory at all, and I completely forget things like vacations that happened last year. This detail is small, though, so I guess it represents me all right.

3. Do you see any similarities between other branches of Astrology? If so, what?

Eh. My star sign is Gemini, which fits me almost perfectly - much better than this one does. Although, that Fire Buffalo thing above did match me all right.

4. Do you prefer this branch over others and why?

I still prefer the star sign branch, mainly because the whole mythology interests me more, but with all kinds of astrology, I take it with a grain of salt.

EDIT: Also, that whole thing about speaking little fits me well, as this is my first post on this site in nineteen days.

[James26]

I'm an Ox.

Some of it suits me i suppose.

[Sinistra_Furze]

1. What is your animal?
A Snake. Wood snake.


2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?
About 80%

[SneekyMarauder]

1. What is your animal?
Dragon (rawr!)

2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?
Meh.

3. Do you see any similarities between other branches of Astrology? If so, what?
I believe they're all made up lol

4. Do you prefer this branch over others and why?
No I find all astrology equally interesting

[johnray111]

I am OX, they say Ox people are hard-working and persistent. And sometimes I feel like that

thanks

[Kathleen Malfoy]

Mine is the Rat. I was born on July 12, 1984 which means the element for my year is Wood. So I'm a Wood Rat.

The key word for the sign of the Rat is "ambition" and with Cancer the key phrase is "I feel". I find that it creates a rather interesting and strange combination.


The Rat

Abstract Information about the Rat:
The Rat is the very first animal of the Chinese Horoscope Cycle. A Rat is good at leading and conquering. Many famous emperors of Chinese history where Rats. Being able to charm others, Rat people are generally charismatic and full of passion. What makes them unique is their practical and dominant mind which gives them the ability to be organized, tactful and systematic. The other side of a Rat can reveal a very controlling person who always insists in doing everything its own way, at all costs. A Rat can also be very cruel and dangerous, especially when challenged. People under this major Chinese Horoscope sign are well known for their ability to use their master minds to exploit other's emotions, feelings and thoughts.

Chinese Astrology Symbol: Chinese Astrology Symbols - Rat, The Child
Lucky Gem Stone: Garnet
Precious Flower: Narcissus
Magic Numbers: One, Eight
Universal Element: Fire
Nature: Yang (male)

Interesting Facts about the Rat:
Favorite Hours: 11pm-1am
Direction: North (N)
Season: Winter
Month: December
Magical Colors: Black, Red, White, Purple
Western zodiac equivalent: Sagittarius
Chinese Foods: Pork, Peas, Cabbage
Associated Countries: Germany, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, Brazil, Colombia
Famous Rat people: Gene Kelly, Sean Penn, Marlon Brando, Louis Armstrong, Clark Gable

Keyword terms for the Rat:
[+] Protector, Materialistic, Bringer of Prosperity, Wealth, Charm, Order, Intelligent, Ambitious, Strong will, Idealistic, Tolerant, Fair
[-] Aggressive, Death, War, The Occult, Pestilence, Atrocities, Money, Stubborn, Dangerous, Cruel, Sneaky, Critical, Manipulation

Duan Minh, the famous Chinese Astrologer, tells us about the Rat:
"..People born under the sign of Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They are hardworking and consequently often financially wealthy. They are likely to be perfectionists. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. The Mouse is very social and has many friends who supports in generous ways. The family is important; Rats are loyal to their family and will fight for it if needed.."

Link to where that info came from:

http://www.chineseastrologer.org/rat.php

Here is more stuff:

Rat personality traits
People born in the Year of the Rat are one of the most industrious and hardest working in the zodiac.

Forever busy in pursuit of an ambitious personal goal, at times they may become difficult to work with since they are born perfectionists. Rats must ensure that every "i" is dotted before completing an assigned task. As a result, they are often successful financially, and are good providers for their family and those they cherish most dearly.

Loyal and loving, Rat people inspire loyalty in others who are close to them. They are essentially honest individuals and loath to betray a confidence. However, their quick wit and restlessness can sometimes lead to chattiness, and they can often be relied upon at large social gatherings for a good story or a juicy bit of gossip.

Their energy levels and expert organizational talents are such that it is a rare thing to see a Rat person sitting idly by with nothing to do.

They may even sometimes be viewed as opportunists who cajole others into helping them accomplish a great ambition. In their careers, Rat people can find much success as business leaders or politicians.

Rats are most compatible with : Dragon, Monkey, Ox

Info from here: http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holid...w-year-rat.htm

[WelkinCooper]

Year of the Horse

I think I read somewhere that parents who had daughters who were born in the Year of the Horse would sometimes lie about it because supposedly their husbands were supposed to die untimely deaths, and it made it hard to marry them off.

[RikuStark]

1. What is your animal?
A dog! A wood dog to be specific.

2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?

I do. Stubborn and loyal, that's practically my middle name.

[Verena]

Originally Posted by Tonks

1. What is your animal?
2. Do you think this animal accurately represents you and why or why not?

1. Dragon
2. Yes and no.

Originally Posted by Midnightsfire

Here is a full chart including your element.
I'm a wood snake.

Fire