The dragon’s destiny: Understanding zodiac signs
Like many other Asian countries, Korea celebrated the Lunar New Year, which fell on Jan. 23 this year. With anticipation and excitement, we smoothly slid into the Year of the Dragon. Long regarded as an auspicious animal, the dragon is believed to have unlimited supernatural powers and rules the earth’s waters.If you see a dragon in your dreams, dash to the nearest lottery booth when you wake up. Dreaming of a dragon implies success, good luck or a baby on the way.
Since it is considered such a mighty, majestic creature, the dragon was also used to represent the emperor or king. You may have seen dragon patterns in old palaces, including designs on royal jewelry and attire.
This lucky animal is the fifth sign of the zodiac, which is divided into 12 years, each represented by a different animal: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, in that order.
There are many theories about the order of the animals, but a popular one is that it is the order in which they arrived in heaven. One day, the emperor in heaven invited all the animals to a party.
The ox actually appeared first, but a rat - secretly riding on the ox’s back - jumped off right in front of heaven’s gate to cut the tape and win race. So the rat is the first animal in the zodiac sign.
As the animals have distinct characteristics, it is said that people born in the same animal year share certain personalities and traits.
Here are the 12 animals in the order of the zodiac and the characteristics of people born under each.
Rat
People who were born in the Year of the Rat are hard-working, smart and witty, and their mild and gentle personalities definitely attract other people. They tend to be easily surprised by minor things, but they confidently manage to take care of big, important tasks. Most of them are very reasonable people who have high ambitions. Also, they have talents in art and achieve great academic success, but other people may become jealous of them.
Years: 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Ox
People who are born in the Year of the Ox are positive thinkers and responsible workers. Never complaining, they patiently go through with their tasks even if they are not easy ones. To many, ox people are regarded as parent figures whom they can fully trust. With a strong sense of responsibility, they are determined to finish any project once it’s given to them. Once they are angry, they stay furious for quite a long time.
Years: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Tiger
People born under the sign of the tiger can be summed up with two words: courage and wisdom. Tiger people tend to set aside important obligations from not-so-important ones and only carry out the tasks they believe to be important. Tiger people are often late bloomers, so they succeed in achieving their goals even if they confront difficult circumstances at the start. Their authoritative and very competitive manner can turn them into steamrollers.
Years: 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Rabbit
Witty, quick and smart! Rabbit people are full of wisdom, but they are careless at times, and such tendencies lead them to wrap up tasks as quickly as possible. Thanks to their natural sociability, they constantly encounter people who can provide significant support. But rabbit people are fickle and constantly change their minds, so they are easily cajoled by sweet talk and they ended up broken-hearted.
Years: 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Dragon
Representing might and goodness, dragons were considered auspicious animals in ancient Korea. That’s why dragons also imply nobility or great luck. Dragons love to tell others what they believe their future goals should be, and chances are high that dragon people play leading roles in group settings. Chasing perfection or idealism can affect them socially and leave them isolated and lonely.
Years: 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Snake
Those born in the Year of the Snake are outstanding in many different fields, but they have difficulties in focusing on one task and often leave it unfinished. Snake people generally have keen insight and intellectual curiosity, but they tend to criticize others too much. Too much pride or self-esteem can ruin their relations with others, including really close friends. Being more humble would help their relationships. At the same time, snakes are emotionally sensitive. When working in groups, they easily become emotional and offended by others.
Years: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Horse
If you were born in the Year of the Horse, you are sympathetic and honest. Being meticulous, you are likely to be tense and lack patience. People who were born in the Year of the Horse are bright, delightful and social, and are popular with many friends. However, they see things in black and white and do not find a middle ground when it comes to relationships.
Years: 1954, 1965, 1978, 1990, 2002
Lamb
As the image of the animal itself, people born under the sign of the lamb are gentle and kind. Big-hearted and generous, lamb people show warmth, compassion and acceptance to everyone, but they are not good at speaking their minds to others. As good listeners, they usually play the role of counselor for others. Lamb people have iron wills, so they do not yield to others easily. However, they carry out what others are reluctant to do and gain good reputations. The lambs are kind souls but need to work on their flexibility when it comes to dealing with new situations.
Years: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Monkey
People born in monkey years are clearheaded and smart. As soon as they make a decision, they quickly put it into action. Although their choices seem to be made abruptly, they rarely result in failure. It’s because the monkey people are skilled at seizing their chances at the right time. In the meantime, people born in the Year of the Monkey are very social. As advocates of family and amicability, they love to hang out and get along with everyone, but they constantly change their minds and have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships. Overthinking can cause them to overlook what really matters.
Years: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Rooster
Naturally gifted with talent in many different areas, including medicine, media and science, people born under the sign of the rooster are full of drive in the things they do. However, they have a low level of endurance, so they are not good at concluding what they initiate. In general, the roosters are conservative and stubborn, while they are very sure about themselves and tackle matters in an aggressive manner. There should be courtesy and manners even among intimate friends. Be considerate to your loved ones, either at home or at work.
Years: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Dog
Responsible and faithful, people who are born in the Year of the Dog fulfill their obligations. In a group, they play the role of an aide rather than a leader, but are respected by others. Dogs are the symbol of loyalty, and those who are born in the Year of the Dog are honest and warm-hearted. If they receive a favor, they seek ways to return the favor. Loyalty and fidelity would be words that define the dog people.
Years: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Pig
First of all, those who are born in the Year of the Pig are born with blessings of wealth. Full of ideas, pig people are likely to try something new. While pursuing innovative thoughts, they have a positive drive to push things through with a high level of concentration. The pig people are naturally optimistic, polite and innocent. Their kind hearts disarm any enemy around them. However, they are not good at making quick decisions and can seem indecisive. They are straightforward, and their outspoken comments can seem inconsiderate to others.
Years: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Whichever year you were born in, you should fly like a lucky black dragon this year. It is the Year of the Black Dragon specifically.
Finding similarities between your character and those of your friends should help you prosper in the coming months. Understanding yourself is critical to success. Happy New Year!
By Michelle Kang [michyk@sba.seoul.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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