The Origin of the Chinese Zodiac

Since ancient times, people throughout the world have believed that the time of one's birth determined one's destiny. For centuries, people in the East have consulted philosophers and seers to determine an 'auspicious' day for such major events as engagements, wedding, burials, moving and business deals.

The Chinese Zodiac is so significant that some Asian women have even taken medication to delay the birth of a child so that the infant would be born on a more meaningful day, when the stars and planets are in better alignment.

Both Eastern and Western civilizations have developed methods by which your personality can be understood and defined in relation to animal attributes. In the West, your sign is based on the month in which you were born; the signs include the lion, the crab and even the dual personality of twins or the sign of Gemini. In the East, the symbol of your animal nature is predetermined by the year in which you were born; the signs include the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger and the Pig.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the 'animal nature' that governs the year of your birth can help you figure out your own fundamental nature or why you act the way you do in certain situations. If you were born in the Rooster, you may be picky; and if you were born in the year of the Ox, chances are you may move at a slower pace than someone born in the years of the Monkey or the Dragon. These clues to your personality are very important in order to understand yourself and others in terms of compatibility both in love and in day-to-day interaction.

The relationship between the Chinese Zodiac and love is so strong that parents often consult an astrologer about prospective spouses for their children. If the family feels that a Rooster male is not well matched to their Rat daughter, they will call off the marriage. No matter how lovers come together, their signs will exert a powerful influence. The basic personality traits that are the product of our 'animal nature' can be used to evaluate who will make the best business partner, lover, and friend. That's what this book is all about.

Once you are aware of your qualities -both the good traits and those that need improving- you can work on developing your pleasant qualities while eliminating those that are less appealing. With the self-knowledge you gain from the Chinese Zodiac, you can mold your life to be richer and fuller so you can get exactly what you want, including the partner of your dreams.

By using the handy For Better or Worse synopses in each chapter, you will have a bird's-eye view of how you will interact with others. Certain signs naturally get along others are so-so combination requiring a little more work to make it a smooth ride. Some signs just don't mix well at all, which explains why some people 'rub you the wrong way'. As you review each of these pairings, you can see why some relationships are easy and others are filled with problems.

Finally, at the end of each chapter, you can read about a celebrity couple and see how their Chinese Zodiac works and how it can work for you.