Here is an interesting photo of a Chinese Zodiac horoscope wheel by AndWat.

It’s an interesting zodiac wheel, probably used for some sort of horoscope function. If anyone knows exactly what it does, please let me know.

What I do know is that the Chinese are quite superstitious in general (and that’s obviously a large generalisation). They place a lot of importance on the zodiac and predictions (ie horoscope).

Certain years are good years to have children in, so there’s a boom in children in those years. Likewise with marriages. Conversely, there are bad years as well. I’ve heard of people waiting a year to get married, just because the current year doesn’t produce favourable omens for weddings.

All of this reminds me of an article I read recently on chinese horoscope love compatibility. It’s quite an interesting concept – and more than that, it’s quite a bit of fun too.

Anyway, for the record, the Chinese zodiac is a 12 year cycle, with each year named after one of 12 animals, each with different characteristics. Whichever animal is your zodiac sign is said to have a big influence on your personal traits and also on your fortune. The 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac are:

• Ox: 1949,1961, 1973, 1985
• Tiger: 1950,1962, 1974, 1986
• Rabbit: 1951,1963, 1975, 1987
• Dragon: 1952,1964, 1976, 1988
• Snake: 1953,1965, 1977, 1989
• Horse: 1954,1966, 1978, 1990
• Ram: 1955,1967, 1979, 1991
• Monkey: 1956,1968, 1980, 1992
• Rooster: 1957,1969, 1981, 1993
• Dog: 1958,1970, 1982, 1994
• Pig: 1959,1971, 1983, 1995
• Rat: 1960,1972, 1984, 1996

Interestingly, the cat doesn’t appear in the Chinese Zodiac and legend has it that this is because the rat tricked the cat and took his place.