十二生肖 Shi Er Sheng Xiao (12 animals / Chinese Zodiac)

(Illustration by Oliver W. 奧利弗)



十二生肖（shí èr shēng xiào）The Chinese Animal Zodiac 

Chinese people use 12 animals to distinguish years; every year, there is an animal representing the year; for example, this year, the representative is "dragon." Since Chinese people consider dragon as a saint animal,
many people try to give birth during this year and want to have a dragon baby. N' next year will be the year of snake. I believe the number of new born will shrink next year, 'cause lots of people don't like snake.

Story:

很久丶很久以前，玉皇大帝举办了一场动物渡河比赛，选出了十二种动物做为年份的代表。 获选的动物分别如下：鼠 Rat丶牛 Ox丶虎 Tiger丶兔 Rabbit丶龙 Dragon丶蛇 Snake丶马 Horse丶羊 Sheep丶猴 Monkey丶鸡 Rooster丶狗 Dog丶猪 Pig

Once upon the time,  the Jade Emperor held a river crossing contest, there were 12 winners (12 animals); each of these 12 animals was responsible for represent each year... These 12 animals are: 鼠 Rat丶牛 Ox丶虎 Tiger丶兔 Rabbit丶龙 Dragon丶蛇 Snake丶马 Horse丶羊 Sheep丶猴 Monkey丶鸡 Rooster丶狗 Dog丶猪 Pig

Conversation:

nǐ shǔ shén me nǐ de shēng xiào shì shén me
你属什麽? = 你的生肖是什麽?
What animal sign were you born under?

wǒ shǔ lǎo shǔ wǒ de shēng xiào shì lǎo shǔ
我属老鼠 = 我的生肖是老鼠
I was born in the year of the Rat. Mine is the Rat.

What's your Sheng Xiao?

If you was born in 1982, your sheng xiao is "dog"; if you was born in 1983, your sheng xiao is "pig"; if you was born in 1984, your sheng xiao is "mouse"... and this year (2012), the animal for this year is "dragon"

Following is a great website which help you find out what your Sheng Xiao is...
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/