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Zodiac
The Lunar Calendar zodiac is a complex astrological system that is akin to the Western horoscope. The Chinese concept of the passage of time is cyclical—the lunar calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, in which each year is assigned an animal symbol.
 
According to legend, the gods let the twelve animals compete to see who would lead the calendar by swimming across a river. The rat cleverly hitched a ride on the ox’s back and was able to jump onto dry land first. The ox lumbered onto shore next, followed by the others, and the slovenly pig came in dead last.
 
For more on the Chinese Zodiac, see the Chinese Cultural Center of San Francisco’s website.
 
2005 is the Lunar Year 4703, the Year of the Rooster. Roosters are known for being direct, courageous, sharp-witted, deliberate, and even hard-headed. They also tend to be quite gregarious and romantic, but also fiercely independent.