February 12, 2002. It is the first day in the Year of the Horse.
It is Year 4699 by Chinese calendar. 

If you are not familiar with the Chinese Year, it is based on the myth
 of how an ancient emperor invited all his forest friends to a New Year
 celebration, but only 12 animals came to his party. He rewarded them
 by giving each one their own year. The rat arrived first followed by the
 ox, etc. It is based on a cycle of twelve years, each year being 
represented by a different animal.



The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon,
 and is constructed in a different fashion than the Western solar calendar.
 In the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere
 between the 22nd day of January and the 19th day of February,
 and varies from year to year. The Chinese have adopted the Western
 calendar since 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions
 such as the Chinese New Year. Chinese calendars are usually printed in 
both the solar dates and the Chinese lunar dates. 



If your birth date falls at the end of January or in February you might be
 born under the sign of the animal from the preceding year. 

1900,1912,1924,1936,1948,1960,1972,1984,1996 

Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those
 they love - although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered
 and over-critical. They work hard to achieve their goals and to  acquire
 possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty 
with money. They also love to gossip. Their ambitions are big,
 and they are usually very successful. They are supposed to make
 good writers, critics and publicists.

They are most compatible with people born in the years of the
 Dragon, Monkey, and Ox. 

Famous people born in the Year Of  The Rat:
Ron Moody, Marlon Brando, Burt Reynolds, Ursula Andress,
  Englebert  Humperdinck, William Shakespeare, Mata Hari.

1901,1913,1925,1937,1949,1961,1973,1985,1997


Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into
 contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and
 good with their hands. They are patient, speak little, They tend, however,
 to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers
 and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent.
 Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they 
can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed.
 It is said they make fine surgeons and hairdressers.

They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Ox:
Jack Lemmon, Tony Benn, Charlie Drake, Shirley Bassey, Jack Nicholson
Napoleon Bonaparte, Walt Disney.

1902,1914,1926,1938,1950,1962,1974,1986,1998 


Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy.
They can be extremely short-tempered, bold, adventurous and are bestowed
 with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, 
making them act before they think about the consequences. Other people have
 great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older
 people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds,
 which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late.
 They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. 
They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers.

Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Tiger:
David Bailey, Michael Ball, Stanley Baxter, Chuck Berry, Richard Branson,
 Mel Brooks, Tom Cruise, Jodie Foster, Elliot Gould, Harriet Harman,
Timothy Mo, Bruce Oldfield, Lord David Owen, Jonathan Porrit, 
Oliver Reed, John  Schlesinger, Pam Shriver, Pamela Stephenson.
 Isadora  Duncan, Marilyn Monroe

1903,1915,1927,1939,1951,1963,1975,1987,1999 


People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious.
 They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are
 admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky and affectionate,
 co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too 
sentimental and seem superficial.. They are fond of gossip but are
 tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are 
clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They
 would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the 
right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise.
 Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage.

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rabbit:
Germaine Greer, Neil Sedaka, Francis Ford Coppola, 
Nanette Newman Albert Einstein, Orson Welles.





1904,1916,1928,1940,1952,1964,1976,1988


Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and
 enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. 
People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable,
 short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they 
inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the
 eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but 
they tend to be soft-hearted "foolhardy"at times which sometimes gives others
 an advantage over them.however you tend to be and you are highly demanding of others.
They make good politicians priests or artists


They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Dragon:
Vidal Sassoon, Fats Domino, Bob Monkhouse, Jimmy Tarbuck, Al Pacino
Sigmund Freud, John Lennon.

1905,1917,1929,1941,1953,1965,1977,1989


People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess
 great wisdom and are romantic and charming. They never have to worry 
about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, 
selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try
 to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have 
doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are
 determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, 
they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking
 and sometimes have martial problems because they are fickle.
They will make good teachers, writers, or philosophers. 

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Ox and Rooster. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Snake:
Jean Simmons, Val Doonican, Sir Roger Banister, Burt Bacharach,
 Neil Diamond, Paddy Ashdown, Vivienne Westwood,
 Bob Dylan Abraham Lincoln, Liz Claiborne.





1906,1918,1930,1942,1954,1966,1978,1990


People born in the Year of the Horse are popular, Independent, friendly, 
and intelligent with a large capacity for hard work. They are cheerful, skillful 
with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. The are wise,
 talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members 
of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything 
except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. 
They are very independent and rarely listen to advice.
 Would make a good scientist or poet.

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep

Famous people born in the Year Of The Horse:
Ian Cuthbertson, Robert Wagner, Rolf Harris, Helmit Kohl, 
Clint Eastwood, Barbara Streisand,  John Thaw, Aretha Franklin Chopin

1907,1919,1931,1943,1955,1967,1979,1991 


People born in the Year of Goat are elegant and highly accomplished 
in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in 
the zodiac's other years. But Goat year people are often shy, pessimistic, 
and puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature. 
Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they
 do and what they believe in. Goat people never have to worry about having
 the best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able to
 enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Goat people are wise, gentle,
 and compassionate.
Would normally  succeed as a gardener or an actor. 

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses. 


Famous people born in the Year Of The Sheep:
Gene Hackman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonard Nimoy,  Prunella Scales,
 John Major, George Harrison Michaelangelo,  Barbara Walters.





1908,1920,1932,1944,1956,1968,1980,1992 


People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. 
Clever, skillful, and flexible, and well-liked by everyone, They are remarkably 
inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. 
There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn’t be successful but
 they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do
 things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become
 discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making
 decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey 
people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. 
Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly, and
 will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you!

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Dragon and Rat. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Monkey:
Sacha Distel, Elisabeth Taylor, Omar Sherif, Leonardo DaVinci,
 Jimmy Page, Roger Daltrey, George Lucas

 
 

 

1909,1921,1933,1945,1957,1969,1981,1993 


People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, hard-working 
and definite about their decisions. capable, and talented. They like to be busy
 and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed 
if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and 
often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they 
are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the
 outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people’s 
emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish
 and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave.
They make good restaurant world  travellers, doctors, or detectives. 

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
Ox, Snake, and Dragon. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rooster:
Michael Aspel, Yoko Ono,Rod Stewart, Mia Farrow, 
Eric Clapton  Confucious, Elton John.





1910,1922,1934,1946,1958,1970,1982,1994 


People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human
 nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and faithful in love
 and inspire other people’s confidence because they know how to keep 
secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. 
They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money.
 They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find
 fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. 
Dog people make good leaders. You should do well as a teacher or in business. 

They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Dog:
Shirley MacLain, Henry Cooper, Slyvia  Sims, Dolly Parton,
  Liza  Minelli Jane Asher, Jane Goodall,  Cher.

1911,1923,1935,1947,1959,1971,1983,1995 


People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant, Intellectual, 
with a strong need to reach difficult goals. They are sincere and honest,
 but expect the same from others which makes them appear somewhat naive. 
Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Pig Year people,
there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude
 and great honesty. They don’t make many friends but they make them
 for life, and anyone having a Pig Year friend is fortunate for they are
 extremely loyal. They don’t talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge.
 They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Pig people are quick 
tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to 
their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Pig people try to 
work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively.
They will be a good lawyers or should be in the arts.


They are most compatible with those born in the years of the
 Rabbits and Sheep. 

Famous people born in the Year Of The Pig:
Bamber  Gascoigne, Dudley Moore,  David Bowie,  Elton John 
 Gerry Rafferty, Albert Schweitzer, Lucille Ball.

Credits
Some images obtained from China the beautiful also
Chinese New Year, Gold horse coin from Gold Dragons
Information picked up from researching Chinese customs, new year and year of the horse.
Music MP3 "Eve of New Year's" courtesy of  The Internet Chinese Music Archive
converted to a wav by ourselves for your listening enjoyment of this url.