RAT - was the first to attend Buddha's meeting, and thus the first animal in the zodiac cycle.  Considered aggressive, suspicious, and power-hungry, the Rat also is said to be honest, generous, and have a sense of fair play. Those born under the sign of the Rat play to win, but not at the cost of cheating. Famous "Rats" include William Shakespeare (1564), Truman Capote (1924), and George Washington (1732). 
 

OX - The beast of burden's brute strength characterizes powerful individuals with stubborn, unbending personalities. They are natural born leaders who typically succeed when given the chance. Hitler (1889), Napoleon (1769), and Richard Nixon (1913) were born under the sign of the Ox. 
 

TIGER - waltz through life carefree, often exposing themselves to great risk, as was the case of Marilyn Monroe (1926). They are charming, but unpredictable. Karl Marx (1818),  Charles de Gaulle (1890), Jiang Zemin (1926) are also Tigers. 

RABBIT - Those born under this sign are not considered risk takers; valuing securityand tranquillity. These people avoid conflict and emotional involvement, oftenmaking them successful business partners. Albert Einstein (1879), Andy Warhol (1928), and Orson Welles (1915) were born under the sign of the Rabbit. 

DRAGON - One of the more flamboyant signs of the zodiac, Dragons are bossy, loud, garish, and unfaithful, but also popular and successful. They are natural born actors and actresses, like Grace Kelly (1928), and often major political icons, like Napoleon III (1808), and Deng Xiaoping (1904). 

SNAKE - Chinese mythology's icon for cleverness, snakes are known for abstract thought and idealism. Mao Zedong (1917), Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929), and Bob Dylan (1941) are all Snakes. The Year of the Snake is known for producing many beautiful and famous women, such as Greta Garbo and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929). Daughters born during the Year of the Snake are considered lucky by Chinese families. 
 

HORSE - The Horse is hard-working, and considers him/herself superior to everyone. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (1966) proved it when he unified all three boxing championships in 1987. Horses insist on having their way, making them prime political candidates. Nikita Khrushchev (1894) and Leonard Bemstein (1918) are Horses. 
 

SHEEP - Sheep are considered warmhearted and honest, but disorganized and vulnerable. They do not respond well to pressure, but will find their own natural solution to a problem when given space. Eva Peron (1919) is a Sheep, as is Douglas Fairbanks (1859) and Ike 'Turner (1931). 
 

MONKEY - Those born in the Year of the Monkey are intelligent and entertaining, but also dangerous, with a flare for deception. They make close friends, although they cannot be trusted. American President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908), Rolling Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (1943) and Joan Crawford are famous Monkeys. 
 

ROOSTER - The cock as an animal and zodiac sign embodies courage, arrogance, and recklessness. People born in the Year of the Rooster are skilled at what they do and attentive to details. Famous roosters include Katharine Hepburn (1909), and Ethel Merman and Groucho Marx (1890). 
 

DOG - Dogs are characterized as being quiet but intelligent. They are introverted listeners, dedicated and honest but also cynical and prone to letting their external anxieties get the better of them. Charles Mingus (1922) and James Joyce (1882) were born under the sign of the Dog. 
 

PIG - Pigs are honest and reliable. Their thirst for knowledge is unquenchable. Often successful in financial affairs, Pigs are also idealists who sacrifice their lives for good causes. John D Rockefeller (1839) and Albert Schweitzer (1875) were Pigs.