文化 | 十二生肖（The Chinese Zodiac）
In traditional China, dating methods were cyclical means something that is repeated time after time according to a pattern.
据中国传统文化，日期是循环的，也就是说，日期的循环是周而复始的。
A popular folk method which reflected this cyclical method of recording years are the Twelve Animal Signs.
记录这周而复始日期的最流行的民间方法就是十二生肖。
Every year is assigned an animal name or “sign” according to a repeating cycle：Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake,Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.Therefore, every twelve years the same animal name or “sign” would reappear.
即：每一年由一个动物代表，每隔十二年进行一个循环。这十二个动物分别是：鼠、牛、虎、兔、 龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。
A cultural sidelight of the animal signs in Chinese folklore is that horoscopes have developed around the animal signs.
十二生肖在中国民间传说中有其文化内涵，占星术就是由其发展而来的。
For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that a person born in the Year of the Horse would be, “cheerful, popular, and loves to compliment others”.
例如，中国的属相认为马年出生的人“快乐、受欢迎、爱恭维他人”。
The animal signs also serve a useful social function for finding out people’s ages.
属相还有助于在社交活动中获悉别人的年龄。
Instead of asking directly how old a person is, people often ask what is his or her animal sign.
为了避免直接问及一个人的年龄，人们通常问他的属相。
This would place that person’s age within a cycle of 12 years，and with a bit of common sense, we can deduce the exact age.
这就可以确定他在十二生肖的排位，从而通过常识，计算出他的确切年龄。
More often, people ask for animal signs not to compute a person's exact numerical age, but to simply know who is older among friends and acquaintances.
然而，人们通常问属相并不是要计算一个人的年龄，更多的是在朋友和熟人之间弄明白谁的年龄更大一些。
（视频1：中国年的传说）
（视频2：外国人眼中的中国十二生肖）
附：部分十二生肖相关表达
play cat and mouse 欲擒故纵
paper tiger 纸老虎
chase the dragon 吸毒
snake oil 万金油、骗人的东西
dark horse 黑马
monkey business 胡闹
spring chicken 年轻
top dog 老大
pigs might fly 不可能
black sheep 害群之马，败类，败家子
The Chinese zodiac, known as Shengxiao or Shuxiang. Is one of the classic culture symbols of China. It is different from the 12 western constellations which are measured in months, The Chinese zodiac has a twelve year cycle, every year in the circle matches a corresponding animal sign. Every Chinese has his/her own zodiac animal sign based on the year they were born in. People are said to have characteristics of the animal which symbolises the particular year they were born in. It has a deep-rooted influence among Chinese and also some other Asian countries and has roots in Buddhism as well.
Rat: The rat is a charmer and not slow to make the most of any favorable opportunity. Rats do well in real estate, public relations, and advertising. Rats are sociable, dealing easily with people from all backgrounds, and they certainly enjoy the good life. They have sharp wits and even sharper tongues. The Rat’s element is water and the color black.
Ox: The strong, conservative Ox is born to lead. Oxen don’t suffer fools gladly, are slow to change their opinions and do well in military careers or other careers where leadership is required. The Ox is loyal and patient and sooner or later, will make his or her mark in life. The Ox’s element is earth, the color is golden yellow.
Tiger: The tiger is a courageous and noble soul, but also highly sensitive and quick to take offence. Tigers are likely to leap in where less hot-headed animals would fear to tread, and they can be very hard to control. They need a career where they can be boss, or strike out on their own with no one to give them orders. The tiger’s element is wood, and the color green.
Rabbit: The elegant, peace-loving rabbit is the soul of tact and would never dream of deliberately hurting anyone. The rabbit would prefer a simple white lie to an outright truth which could ruin a moment or damage a friendship. Rabbits are considered very lucky and do well in careers that bring out their people skills, such as law, acting, or diplomacy. The Rabbit’s element is Wood, and the color green.
Dragon: The talented, artistic Dragons are the real show-offs of the Chinese Zodiac. They are always popular and they easily influence those around them. Dragons are determined, successful, and enthusiastic. Dragons usually find successful careers in the performing or creative arts, or in politics. Their element is earth, their color gold.
Snake: Snakes are the most enticing creatures in the Chinese Zodiac — they have much in common with the sign of Scorpio in western astrology. Snakes are alluring and highly intelligent, and are often found in academic or scientific careers. But their great physical attraction also makes them renowned actors and entertainers. The Snake’s element is fire, the color is red.
Horse: The hard working, confident horse puts its shoulder to even the most difficult task without complaint. Horses are justifiably proud of their elegance and strength, and while they may tend to parade their egos, they also love company and make stimulating friends. The horse does well in sports, the military and politics. The element of the horse is fire, the color red.
Goat: The goat is very agile and loves to climb, but tends to worry a lot. They can be charming company, but at other times they will tend to bring their friends down by complaining and imagining the worst. Goats can find success in the caring professions, where they can worry for profit, or avoid the ulcers altogether by dropping out. The goat’s element is earth, the color yellow.
Monkey: The clever, witty monkey is never short of friends. Always the life of the party, the monkey has a paw on the pulse of life and senses trends long before anyone else. So they find success in the media, advertising, and design. The monkey can also be very tricky and needs to guard against a tendency to take advantage of slower types. The Monkey’s element is metal, and the color white.
Rooster: No one crows louder than the proud rooster, but few have more to crow about. The rooster is a shrewd, sharp, confident operator, who dreams big and looks to the stars. Roosters strut proudly and so choose careers where they can show off and reach impossible goals, such as the entertainment industry, or a business idea that breaks barriers and travels world wide. The element of the rooster is metal, and the color is white.
Dog: The faithful dog will always be there for family and friends. The dog takes setbacks philosophically, and find comfort in familiar, homely things. But there is a streak of adventure in the dog’s soul that will see them running with the wind on occasion. The dog will also attack when it feels a loved one is threatened, so remember the wise advice and let sleeping dogs lie. Dogs do well in professions based on caring for others, such as teaching and nursing. The dog’s element is earth, the color is yellow.
Pig: The honorable and scrupulous pig is one of the easiest signs of the Chinese Zodiac to get along with. But they are easily shocked, and also easily gulled into schemes cooked by some of the less scrupulous signs. The Pig has a creative side which should be nurtured, and will often find fulfillment, if not success, in the arts. The element of the pig is water, the color black.