The Year of the Tiger represents power and strength. Sheng long huo hu, or "vital dragon and vigorous tiger" in Chinese, is often used to describe people who are energetic and full of life.

The Year of the Ox is connected with being productive and successful, as the animal represents hard work, or simply a bull market.

The Dog is loyalty, the Monkey is smart, and the Rooster crows. Even the year of the Pig wouldn't be a problem, as the mud-rolling creature symbolizes good fortune in traditional Chinese culture.

This year, however, the lunar calendar has tossed up a major challenge: the Year of the Snake. It is hard for people to get good impressions from the wet, scaly, sometimes deadly reptile. Chinese idioms, phrases and old sayings related to snakes are often negative.

Nevertheless, the snake plays an important part in China's mythology and folklore.According to a widely known Chinese legend, the Jade Emperor, the mighty god living in heaven, one day decided there should be a way of measuring time. So he invited all the animals to a grand race, and claimed that each year of the Chinese zodiac would be named in honor, and in the order, of the first 12 animals to finish.The Snake finished sixth, right after the Dragon, one of the most powerful signs in the Chinese zodiac, and before the Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

People born in the Year of the Snake, are quick-witted, clever, charming, sharp and funny. They have excellent taste, are a good friend and generous and loyal to others.

There are many famous people born in the Year of Snake, including John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States who was born in 1917, the artist Pablo Picasso, who was born in 1881, and Audrey Hepburn, the British actress who was born in 1929.