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Chinese Zodiac Facts & Worksheets

The Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao ‘born resembling’, is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.

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The Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao ‘born resembling’, is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.

See the fact file below for more information on the Chinese zodiac or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Chinese Zodiac worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGIN OF THE ZODIAC

  • The origin stories of the Chinese zodiac vary but all have very interesting beginnings.
  • Some say that the Jade Emperor called on all animals to help mankind and only twelve responded.
  • Others say that a Great Race was held to determine which animals 12, placed in order to be determined by their finishing time, would be part of the zodiac for eternity.
  • The rat won in a clever way. Realizing no one could outrun the ox, he jumped on its shoulders – only to hop off once they reached the finished line. Hence, the Rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, and the Ox is second.
  • The remaining 10 are in order Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, then Pig. The pig is last because he stopped for a snack and a nap en route.
  • The rat won in a clever way. Realizing no one could outrun the ox, he jumped on its shoulders – only to hop off once they reached the finished line. Hence, the Rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, and the Ox is second.
  • The remaining 10 are in order Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, then Pig. The pig is last because he stopped for a snack and a nap en route.

THE ZODIAC

  • Those born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020 belong to the Year of the Rat.
  • People born in this year are good at saving and collecting. They live organized lives and are very sensitive and know when there is trouble.
  • Their strengths include being wise, unique, intelligent, crafty, determined, inventive, and intense.
  • However, they can be too acquisitive, ruthless, and overly nervous.
  • Those born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020 belong to the Year of the Rat.
  • Those born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021 belong to the Year of the Ox.
  • People born in this year are hard workers and have a strong sense of responsibility. They persevere when facing difficulties at work.
  • Their strengths include being honest, contemplative, observant, determined, cautious, and loyal.
  • However, they have a tendency to be self-righteous, stubborn, petty, egotistical, judgmental, and overly cautious.
  • Further, it is believed that those born under the sign of the ox have great memories.
  • Those born in 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022 belong to the Year of the Tiger.
  • People born in this year are independent and have high self-esteem. They seek leadership and protect weaker people.
  • Their strengths include being outspoken, adventurous, unconventional, and enthusiastic.
  • However, they tend to be aggressive, arrogant, short-tempered, and anxious.
  • Those born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023 belong to the Year of the Rabbit.
  • People born in this year are gentle, quiet, polite, patient, intelligent, and chic.
  • Their strengths include being intuitive, even -tempered, gentle, faithful, compassionate, and clever. But they are also pessimistic, insecure, vain, overly cautious, and finicky.
  • Those born in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and 2024 belong to the Year of the Dragon.
  • People born in this year are known to be noble, powerful, generous, and idealistic. They have have hearts full of adventure and romance.
  • However, they are also impetuous, inflexible, and brash.
  • Dragons are impressed by wealth and prestige. They can be perfectionists and prone to short stints of rage.
  • Those born in 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025 belong to the Year of the Snake.
  • People born in this year are wise, enigmatic, intuitive, sympathetic, mesmerizing, sensual, beautiful, devoted, and determined.
  • On the downside, snakes are lazy, hedonistic, vain, malicious, overly materialistic, and duplicitous.
  • Those born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026 belong to the Year of the Horse.
  • People born in this year are energetic yet are easygoing, witty, honest, outspoken, independent, adventurous, and good with money.
  • Despite this, horses are bad at keeping secrets and quickly lose interest.
  • Horses are crucial in transportation and war. They also represent speed and freedom.
  • Those born in 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, and 2027 belong to the Year of the Goat.
  • People born in this year enjoy being in a group both socially and as part of a team. They have have a pure and kind heart and suffer silently than argue and ruin the mood, and can patiently and politely persuade others into their favor.
  • However, they also tend to be disorganized, lazy, pessimistic, timid, indecisive, anxious, and gullible.
  • Those born in 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, and 2028 belong to the Year of the Monkey.
  • People born in this year do things based on interest. They will put their entire heart into things and work until they succeed when interested.
  • However, monkeys can also be distrustful, arrogant, opportunistic, erratic, manipulative, and dishonest.
  • Those born in 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029 belong to the Year of the Rooster.
  • People born in this year have acute observation, attention to detail, and extreme self-confidence which makes them creative and talented in the arts.
  • Roosters are smart, charming, witty, honest, blunt, capable, talented, and self-reliant.
  • However, roosters can be controlling, insensitive, narrow-minded, selfish, and reckless.
  • Those born in 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030 belong to the Year of the Dog.
  • People born in this year are loyal and brave, with a sense of duty. They often end up as leaders due to their impartial sense of justice, intelligence, and diplomacy.
  • Dogs are often popular, likable, witty, sincere, direct, cooperative, protective, helpful, and generous.
  • Still, dogs can be huge worriers and may be pessimistic, cynical, paranoid, overly aggressive, stubborn, cold, overly critical, or self-sacrificing.
  • Those born in 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031 belong to the Year of the Pig.
  • People born in this year have a sense of fair play and honesty, are thoughtful, creative, responsible, and have a thirst for knowledge.
  • They are not good communicators, but are kind and able to provide for the family.
  • However, like all other animals, they are vulnerable to becoming gullible, materialistic, insecure, and hot-tempered.
  • The latest cycle began in 2021 with the year of the ox. Following the placement of the 12 zodiacs, the animals in the next eleven years are quite easy to identify.

Chinese Zodiac Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Chinese Zodiac across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Chinese Zodiac worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao ‘born resembling’, which is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Chinese Zodiac Facts
  • Zodiac in Chinese
  • Zodiac Story
  • Zodiac Compatibility
  • Zodiac Elements
  • Element Analysis for Zodiac
  • Zodiac Folklore
  • Absent Cat
  • My Zodiac
  • My Zodiac II
  • Celebrate the New Year!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Chinese zodiac sign is the luckiest?

For those looking for a bit of luck in 2023, China Highlights reports that Oxes, Tigers, and Snakes are expected to have the most favorable fortune this year!

Which Chinese zodiac is smart?

Long ago, a fierce competition was held to meet the Jade Emperor. The Rat famously emerged as the victor and earned its rightful place at the start of the zodiac cycle. It is said that those born in the Year of the Rat possess extraordinary intelligence, cleverness, and resourcefulness!

What is the hard-working Chinese zodiac?

Hard work, loyalty, and perseverance are symbolized by the ox or cow in Chinese astrology. Those born during the Year of the Ox are said to be unwavering and sincere yet a bit uncompromising!

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Link will appear as Chinese Zodiac Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 4, 2021

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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