Zodiac Tattoo Art - A Guide to the Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese culture has an influence in the western regions, so it's not surprising that the world is fascinated with the Chinese zodiac. This is particularly notable in the tattoo industry, as many people are choosing these zodiac symbols as inspiration for tattoos.

There are myths about how each of the twelve animals of the zodiac has a certain characteristic. One popular legend is that the emperor of heaven once invited twelve animals to pay him respects. The rat was the first animal to show up, and it's often said that he somehow tricked the cat and took his place. As a result, the house cat isn't one of the twelve zodiac animals (although the tiger is).

If you want to get a zodiac tattoo, here is an overview of the characteristics by year and animal.

The rat: (1948/1960/1972/1984/1996/2008)

Those born in the year of the rat are said to be very popular, charming, and sociable among friends and associates. Unfortunately, they can also be manipulative, selfish, and demanding.

The ox: (1949/1961/1973/1985/1997)

The ox has a lot of positive qualities. Those born in these any of these years are hardworking, dependable, patient, and modest. There are also times during which they are narrow-minded and rigid.

The tiger: (1950/1962/1974/1986/1998)

The tiger is an extremely popular zodiac tattoo. Those born in these ears are powerful, daring, commanding, and passionate. On the downside, they can be quick tempered, reckless, and impatient.

The rabbit: (1951/1963/1975/1987/1999)

Rabbits are usually considered to be friendly and gentle animals. Anybody born in this years is considered to be extremely gracious, compassionate, and kind. The downside is that they can be too cautious at times and even lack self-confidence and motivation.

The dragon: (1952/1964/1976/1988/2000)

Like the tiger, the dragon is also a popular zodiac tattoo. Those born in a year of the dragon are thought to be strong, passionate, proud, and ambitious. The negatives include a tyrannical and overbearing attitude.

The snake: (1953/1965/1977/1989/2001)

These types of people are deep thinkers, to the point at which they're shrewd and prudent, yet also very responsible. They always feel as if they have a purpose. The downside is that they are sometimes distrustful and lack decent social skills.

The horse: (1954/1966/1978/1990/2002)

The horse is another animal that's often depicted in a zodiac tattoo (sometimes as a unicorn). Those born in the year of the horse are popular, witty, and usually cheerful. The negatives of their personality are that they can talk too much at times, stubborn, and even a bit fickle.

The sheep: (1955/1967/1979/1991/2003)

"Sheep" people are believed to be mild-mannered, sincere, compassionate, and artistic. They are always seeking peace; unfortunately, they tend to worry too much about things and somewhat pessimistic.

The monkey: (1956/1968/1980/1992/2004)

Out of all the animals that depicted in a zodiac tattoo, monkeys have the closest relationship to humans. Those born in the year of the monkey are innovative, flexible, inventive, and logical. The downside is that they can be a bit selfish and egotistical at times.

The rooster: (1957/1969/1981/1993/2005)

"Rooster" type people have the animal's traits of meticulousness and alertness. They are organized and responsible to the point at which they're seen to be perfectionists. Unfortunately, they can also be overzealous and highly opinionated.

The dog: (1958/1970/1982/1994/2006)

Dogs are always seen as human's best friend and are popular in zodiac tattoo art. Those born in the year of the dog are loyal, intelligent, popular, and very amiable. The negatives of their personality make them a bit too judgemental and cynical at times. They also have a tendency to argue a lot.

The pig: (1959/1971/1983/1995/2007)

The pig is the last animal of the Chinese zodiac. Those born in the year of the pig are patient, peace loving, calm, intelligent, scrupulous, and understanding. However, self-indulgence and highly materialistic nature are the darker side of their personality.

Now you know which zodiac tattoo to get!

Terry Daniels of TattooDesign-Reviews.com, specializes in helping individuals get the styles and designs they need to make the right tattoo choices. Terry leads his team of tattoo experts in constantly reviewing new products and packages in the market to make sure you get the best value tattoo designs that look good on you. Check out actual user reviews of tattoo design sites and galleries at TattooDesign-Reviews.com.

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A General Guide To The Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is a very interesting topic, especially for those interested in horoscopes. Similar to the Western Zodiac, the Chinese Zodiac uses a 12-stage cycle to describe personality types and compatibilities. However, the Chinese version of the Zodiac has many unique differences when compared to the Western version.

Instead of dividing the 12 stages as months of the year, the Chinese divide the 12 stages yearly. Each year is then assigned an animal, and a set of personality traits. This concept is best described with an example:

Let's say there is a guy named Jeff. Jeff happened to be born in 1988. In the zodiac, 1988 is the year of the dragon. Thus, Jeff can be said to be a Dragon, and his personality traits are described as those of the Dragon, which include: passionate, vigorous, proud, and many more...

On top of these yearly cycles, there are also monthly and even hourly cycles. The monthly cycle describes a person's "inner animal" while the hourly cycles determine a person's "secret animal." These different cycles produce a total of 8,640 different combinations.

Many people use these combinations to determine compatibility. Compatibility deals with relationships, and how two different personalities blend. By determining two peoples' personality traits, you can make a guess as to how those people will get along and work together.

The Chinese Zodiac makes this simpler through its use of animals to describe these personality traits. You can now simply find two peoples animal signs and determine how they will blend.

For example, it is said that the Dragon and Dog zodiac signs to not blend well, while the Dragon and the Monkey blend extremely well. Many say that the zodiac tool is used most effectively to find incompatible personalities. The incompatibilities are perhaps more precise than the compatibilities.

This is very similar to the Western Zodiac. However, the Western Zodiac does not use animals, but instead uses signs such as Taurus, Capricorn, and Pisces. It uses these signs to predict compatibility as well.

This is of course, only a brief introduction to the topic. There are many more complexities involved. For example, the Zodiac of the Chinese also includes four different animal trines. They each contain animals that share common characteristics.

For example, the first trine consists of the Monkey, Rat, and Dragon. It is said that these are the most intense individual, capable of great good or great evil. The other trines contain similar descriptions.

In all, this can be a very interesting subject to dive into.

Get more information now on star sign compatibility and Chinese Zodiac compatibility at Under The Suns.

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Guide to Chinese Zodiac Astrology

When most Westerners think of Chinese Zodiac astrology, the Chinese Zodiac animals come to mind, with the Year of the Rat, Year of the Dragon and so forth. However, Chinese astrology goes much deeper than the 12 animal zodiac signs that can be found on the place mats of Chinese restaurants.

The Planets and the Constellations

When the ancient Chinese first ascribed meanings to the various constellations and planets in the heavens, they identified 5 major planets and 28 constellations. A complicated system of astrology was devised as a way of determining people's personalities, characteristics and even their destinies based on the position of the planets, constellations and the sun and moon when they were born.

The five planets in Chinese Zodiac astrology are Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn. The 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle was determined based on the orbit of the planet Jupiter. These 12 years were assigned 12 animal signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Each Chinese Zodiac animal sign is ascribed different personality characteristics through astrological readings, both positive and negative.

The Inner Animal

Most westerners don't realize that there are animal signs and astrological readings linked to the months of a year as well as to different years. An animal is linked to two solar terms, which is roughly equivalent to two weeks each. This is known as the inner animal and has more direct influence on a person's romantic life as well as their true inner self. Many Chinese astrologists also use the inner animal to identify compatibility with others.

The Elements, Yin and Yang

Chinese zodiac astrology also features 5 elements that are assigned to different parts of a 12-year cycle. The segments are given elemental names: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. Finally, the all-encompassing force that influences lives in Chinese astrology is known as Yin and Yang. Thus, someone born on March 27, 1971, would be Yin Metal Boar. All these aspects are analyzed, mixed and interpreted to result in Chinese astrology, a system that allows followers to pursue the best things in life while being forewarned about certain pitfalls.

For more information on chinese zodiac, visit the holidays section of Life123.com.

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