The Chinese Year of the Monkey  

People born under the Chinese sign of the Monkey are great fun to be around. Monkeys are bouncy people, always young at heart, born entertainers, loving pranks and riddles. Happiest when they have an audience, they love social gatherings that are light-hearted. Others forgive their tendency to show off because they are such fun to have around. People born under this sign are intelligent and quick thinkers. However, this can lead to impatience with others and boredom.

Monkeys attract many friends because they are amusing and witty. However, they are not particularly loyal or reliable. They are so busy several interests at once that they often ignore others. They don't intend to be hurtful, it's just that their enthusiasm gets the better of them. Monkeys are best suited to flexible, fast moving careers that can meet their need for change. Few Monkeys stay in the same career for 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.

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: Rooster

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

About the Author

Tony Luck runs a site with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. Included is the fascinating chinese pregnancy calendar which is supposed to tell you whether the baby you are expecting will be a boy or girl, and a conception chart to tell you when baby is expected.