Happy Chinese New Year - 2009 is Year of the Ox!

Let's hear it for the OX! The Chinese celebrate their New Year starting on a different day than the traditional first of the year. This year it will fall on Monday January 26th, 2009. Their system was first started way back in 2600 BC by Emperor Huang Ti and uses a 12-year cycle with each year represented by 1 of 12 different animals. The animals are: Rat, Pig, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Sheep, Horse, Snake, Dragon, Rabbit, Tiger, and this year's mascot, the Ox! The year of the monkey was last held in 2004, which made for a great year for me! Just so you know they say us monkeys are quick-witted, creative, inventors who are flexible..there was no mention of inflated or crazy though.

Back to this year's animal, Mr. Ox... if you were born during an "Ox year" then you are kind and caring, positive minded, have logic and common sense, and your feet are planted on firm ground. Cool to be you! The Ox year has an interesting representation, as it will be a year full of prosperity through hard work and fortitude. The Ox will be patient and capable of enduring a large amount of hardship without complaint...Very interesting considering all that talk about rough economic times!

Learn more about the Chinese Zodiac and your symbol here!