If you were born under the Chinese sign of the Ox, you would make a great friend! Ox people are as honest as the day is long. They are instinctively trusted by others and rightly so. Straight forward and down-to-earth, the Ox says what he thinks and does what he says, disliking any form of deceit.

People born under this sign have strong emotional feelings but find it difficult to express these verbally. They don't rush into friendships, but once a friendship is established they are intensely loyal.

Ox people have an even temperament but if they do lose their temper, look out!

People born under this sign can be stubborn and they are reluctant to admit they are wrong. Their loyalty can work in reverse - they can be a friend for life but once they become an enemy, that too will be for life.

Ox people can be late developers, often finding success later in life.

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Legend has it that as Buddha was about to depart the earth he summoned all the animals to say goodbye. Only twelve turned up so, to show his appreciation of their loyalty, he vowed that from then on each year would bear the name of one of the animals.

Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign.

You will find a chart of the dates and signs below.

Chinese Years:
February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006: Rooster
January 22, 2004 - February 8, 2005: Monkey
February 1, 2003 - January 21, 2004: Goat
February 12, 2002 - January 31, 2003: Horse
January 24, 2001 - February 11, 2002: Snake
February 5, 2000 - January 23, 2001: Dragon
February 6, 1999 - February 4, 2000: Rabbit
January 28, 1998 - February 5, 1999: Tiger
February 8, 1997 - January 27, 1998: Ox
February 19,1996 - February 7, 1997: Rat
January 31, 1995 - February 18, 1996: Pig
February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995: Dog
January 23, 1993 - February 9, 1994: Rooster
February 4, 1992 - January 22, 1993: Monkey
February 15, 1991 - February 3,1992: Goat
January 27, 1990 - February 14, 1991: Horse
February 6, 1989 - January 26, 1990: Snake
February 17, 1988 - February 5, 1989: Dragon
January 29, 1987 - February 16, 1988: Rabbit
February 9, 1986 - January 28, 1987: Tiger
February 20, 1985 - February 8, 1986: Ox
February 2, 1984 - February 19, 1985: Rat
February 13, 1983 - February 1, 1984: Pig
February 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983: Dog
February 5, 1981 - January 24, 1982: Rooster
February 16, 1980 - February 4, 1981: Monkey
January 28, 1979 - February 15, 1980: Goat
February 7, 1978 - January 27, 1979: Horse
February 18, 1977 - February 6, 1978: Snake
January 31, 1976 - February 17, 1977: Dragon
February 11, 1975 - January 30, 1976: Rabbit
January 23, 1974 - February 10, 1975: Tiger
February 3, 1973 - January 22, 1974: Ox
February 15, 1972 - February 2, 1973: Rat
January 27, 1971 - February 14, 1972: Pig
February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971: Dog
February 17, 1969 - February 5, 1970: Rooste
r January 30, 1968 - February 16, 1969: Monkey
February 9, 1967 - January 29, 1968: Goat
January 21, 1966 - February 8, 1967: Horse
February 2, 1965 - January 20, 1966: Snake

Author: Tony Luck http://www.baby-talk.co.uk