[Sticks]

Kung hei fat choy!



In 2003 Chinese New Year is on 1 February. It marks the first day in the Year of the Ram and Year 4699 by the Chinese calendar. 'Kung hei fat choy!' is the traditional New Year greeting

For further details click on this link

[LEE]

Kung hei fat choy to you as well Sticks.

Welcome to the Year of the Goat.

[Romantic Old Bird]

Kung hei fat choy to all indeed.

Actually, I think it's the year of the


Which made me think about Chinese Horoscopes.

I am a


SO ARE:Sir David Attenborough, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Beethoven, Tony Bennett, Chuch Berry, Richard Branson, Garth Brooks, Mel Brooks, Agatha Christie, Phil Collins, Jason Connery, Gemma Craven, Tom Cruise, Emily Dickenson, Roberta Flack, Jodie Foster, Connie Francis, Crystal Gayle, Susan George, Elliott Gould, Buddy Greco, Willia Hurt, Derek Jacobi, Dorothy Lamour, Stan Laurel, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, The Queen, Oliver Reed, Lionel Richie, Diana Rigg, Kenny Rogers, The Princess Royal, Sir Jimmy Saville, Phillip Schoefield, Pamela Stephenson, Dame Joan Sutherland, Dylan Thomas, Liv Ullman, John Voigt, Julie Walters, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Terry Wogan, Stevie Wonder.

AND Elizabeth, which is odd, because I am such a NICE person.

Check your chinese horoscope

HERE


Here is the story of :

The Jade Emperor and the Twelve Animals

The Jade Emperor ruled the heavens and all they contained but he had never been to earth, and he wondered about the shapes and colours of all its creatures. One day he summoned his chief advisor.

"I have ruled for many years," said the Emperor, "but I have never seen these strange animals. What do they look like? I want to see their features and characteristics; I would like to observe the way that they move and hear the sounds that they make. How intelligent are they, and how do they help humanity?"

The advisor told him that there were thousands of earthly creatures - some walked, others flew, some crawled and others slithered. It would take many months to gather examples of each and present them. Did his majesty want to see them all?

"No, I shall waste too much time. Select the twelve most interesting animals and bring them to me so I can grade them according to colour and shape"

The advisor thought of all the animals he knew and decided to send an invitation to the rat, and told him, in turn, to give an invitation to his friend the cat. Further invitations were sent to the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the ram, the monkey, the rooster, and the dog asking them to present themselves before the Emperor at six o'clock the following morning.

The rat was proud to receive this invitation and immediately set off to reveal the good news to the cat. The cat was also overjoyed but, afraid that he might oversleep, made the rat promise to wake him in time. That night the rat pondered on how handsome and sleek the cat was and how ugly he would appear in comparison. He decided that the only way to prevent the cat taking all the praise was to let him oversleep the following morning.

At six o'clock eleven animals lined up before the Jade Emperor who slowly inspected them. When he came to the end of the line he turned to his advisor.

"They are all interesting but why are there only eleven animals?"

The advisor had no answer but quickly sent a servant down to earth to catch the first animal he saw and bring it back to heaven. The servant arrived on a country road and saw a farmer carrying a pig to market.

"Please stop," entreated the servant, "I need your pig now! The Jade Emperor wants to see this creature immediately. Think of the honor of displaying this pig to the ruler of heaven."

The farmer was duly impressed by the servant's news and so he handed over his pig, which was then carried off to the parade.

Meanwhile the rat was afraid he would go unnoticed and so he jumped on the ox's back and began to play a flute. The Emperor was so charmed by this unusual animal that he gave him first place. The Jade Emperor then gave the ox second place since he had been generous enough to let the rat sit on his back. The tiger looked courageous and was given third place, and the rabbit, because of his fine white fur, was given fourth place. The Emperor thought the dragon looked like a powerful snake with legs and so placed him fifth. The snake was sixth because of his curving, sinuous body, the horse seventh because of his elegant bearing, and the ram eighth because of his strong horns.

The monkey was agile and alert so was given ninth place, the rooster had such fine feathers he was tenth, and the watchful and protective dog was given eleventh place. The pig stood at the end of the line; he may not have been as interesting as the others but he had made the effort to be there and was allowed the final place.

When the ceremony had finished the cat came running into the palace and begged the Emperor to consider him, but it was to late - the animals had been chosen. When the cat saw the rat standing in first place he chased him with intent to kill. This is why even today, the cat and rat cannot be friends

[BigSister]

Im also a Tiger too

[Sticks]

I am a Horse



This is the link to my animal

[Sticks]

According to the site ROB gave
this is what I am supposed to be.

The Productive Horse
The horse is an individual who uses his wits and his labour to fulfill his desires. They have boundless energy and ambition, are adept with money, and are hard workers. Active and energetic, horse people are good dressers and sexy. Horses love to be seen and are often out at concerts, sporting events, and parties.

However, a horse loves to race or travel and often leaves home young. Individualistic and rebellious, horses despise conformity and guilt trips and often have a hard time fitting in to a group. They are more cunning than intelligent and tend to lack true self-confidence. Hot-blooded, hot-headed, and impatient, horses are famous for suddenly losing interest in something. Horses can also be somewhat egotistical and selfish.

Horses have many contradictions in their character. They are proud yet sweet-natured, arrogant yet oddly modest in their approach to love, envious yet tolerant, conceited yet humble. They want to belong yet are burdened by their need for independence. They need love and crave intimacy yet often feel cornered or pressured.

In relationships with the opposite sex, horses are weak and will give up everything for love. The best match for a horse is a dog, tiger, sheep, or snake. An ok match is a pig or another horse. Relationships with dragons are steamy, but do not last. Relationships with a rooster, rabbit, ox, monkey, or rat are not recommended.

Now is this really Me !!!

[LEE]

I'm a Rabbit



Though I don't think it sounds very much like me.

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The Delicate Rabbit
The rabbit is one of the most delicate animals among all 12 animals. Rabbits are usually kind and sweet and, of course, popular. Nobody ignores them, for they are good company and know how to make the best of themselves.

A rabbit's home is always a beautiful one. Rabbit people are famous for their artistic sense and good taste. They are also usually well-dressed. Go check out your rabbit friend's closet, I bet you will find much expensive and beautiful clothing there.

But even though they are popular and loved by their friends and family, rabbit people are also pessimistic. They are conservative and insecure, and that explains why most of the them don't like changes.

Calm as they are, it is not easy to provoke rabbit people. They don't like to argue and enjoy quiet, peaceful lives. They are also sentimental and compassionate. They cry easily too and can be moved by personal problems you share with them. Therefore, if you work as a salesman for a living, you will have much better luck with rabbit people - nine out of ten rabbit people will definitely buy your products!

Call them cautious or call them timid, rabbit people will undertake nothing before they have weighed the pros and cons from every angle. That is probably why rabbit people do well at work. And yet, unless they abandon their conservative nature, and become more aggressive, rabbits will probably live a very normal and average life.

Rabbits can be great partners in relationships. Romantic and sweet, faithful too, rabbit people never lack suitors. Male rabbits are sometimes picky, and perhaps not a family man. Female rabbits should probably spend less time admiring themselves in front of the mirror and spend more time with friends. The best matches for a rabbit are a pig, dragon, or a sheep. Good matches are a dog, monkey, or another rabbit. Ok matches are an ox or snake. Matches with a rooster, horse, tiger, or rat are not advised.

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and ROB, it is definintely the Year fo the Goat this year.

[Romantic Old Bird]

Lee, you're fwuffy little bunny wabbit!

[mcginn]

Kung hei fat choy!

Im a Tiger

[sweetlittlesara]

Im a Dragon

[Di2001]

I'm a sheep

Sheep people are elegant, charming, artistic, gifted, and fond of nature. People born under this sign are also the most creative. They are also very delicate and their good manners and charms always bring many admirers and friends.

[Mairi]

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone, especially those born in the year of the Sheep/Goat.

I was born in the year of the Dog which makes me faithful and loyal but something of a worrier.

Note to self. Stop worrying!!

[Romantic Old Bird]

Originally posted by miriam
Happy Chinese New Year to everyone, especially those born in the year of the Sheep/Goat.

I was born in the year of the Dog which makes me faithful and loyal but something of a worrier.

Note to self. Stop worrying!!

And whatever you do Miriam, don't worry sheep or they will have you put down!

[Kaz]

Kung hei fat choy from me too!

Apparently, I'm a . . . . . . . . .

The Chivalrous Pig
Pigs are models of sincerity, purity, tolerance, and honor. When you first meet them, pigs seem too good to be true. They are careful and caring, obliging and chivalrous. Put your trust in them for they will never let you down and they will always try to do what's right.

Pigs are the people everyone likes. Make a list of the pigs in your life: aren't they the nicest, most loving, and caring people around?

Pigs are born to give, to yield, and to serve, and so, unfortunately, most people take advantage of them. Pigs know they are easy to fool but don't really mind. No matter how old they get, pigs keep their faith in human nature and believe that people are basically good. Pigs tend to sacrifice their own happiness and comfort for the sake of others.

A pig is a splendid companion. If you have a lifetime pig friend, treat them well. Pigs are loyal, faithful, and giving only so long as they approve of you. In order to keep your lifetime piggy friend, remember, never try to force your opinions on him. Also, remember that a pig rarely asks for help and cannot graciously accept it.

A pig doesn't say much - but when he does decide to speak, suddenly, nothing can stop him until he runs out of subjects. Like the monkey, the pig is intellectual - a character with a great thirst for knowledge.

Some people claim that pigs are snobbish. Manners, breeding and good taste are of enormous importance to them. In fact, pigs are aesthetic. Pigs are born with an excellent nose for style in everything. Food is another of piggy's little sins. Pigs adore food and after-dinner chocolates. The pig often over-eats, but he eats with good taste.

In relationships, pig people are sensitive, sweet, naive, and caring. They are romantic and certainly are the marriage-type. But on the other hand, pigs can also be possessive, jealous and exclusive. The best match for a pig is a sheep, dragon, another pig, rabbit, or rat. Good matches are a dog, monkey, tiger, or horse. Ok matches are a rooster or ox. A snake partner is not advised.

And surprise, surprise - OH is a snake!

[LEE]

I'm confused now.

I have Chinese friends and a couple of days ago we were talking about the New Year and they said to me that it was going to be the Year of the Goat. The website that Sticks posted a link to at the start of this thread also says that it is going to be the Year of the Goat.

However, twice on the TV now someone has said it is going to be the Year of the Ram (as ROB said earlier)

My Chinese friends are going to a party tonight which is definintely in celebration of the Year of the Goat.

Which is it?

[Amy]

I'm a goat

[Romantic Old Bird]

Originally posted by LEE
I'm confused now.


Which is it?

I think we're both right!

It look's as if it is interchangeable Lee........CLICK HERE

Not sure if your average goat or sheep would agree, but there you go!

[LEE]

It look's as if it is interchangeable

Not sure if your average goat or sheep would agree, but there you go!

LOL

How confusing.

I think I'll stick to the western zodiac and horoscopes. Far simpler

[Boris]

A tiger ehh Rob.


I always thought you were a bit of a 'pussy cat' what ever that peachy told you !!!!!

[Boris]

Seems I an one too ROB !!
[How do I get my tiger picture to move here ???? ALL I got was a link to it when i tried .]

[Boris]

Yea !!!

[Romantic Old Bird]

Originally posted by Boris


Seems I an one too ROB !!
[How do I get my tiger picture to move here ???? ALL I got was a link to it when i tried .]

Not sure where you got your pic from now, but I got this one by right clicking over the picture, going down the list to properties and clicking again, highlighting and clicking copy over the url.

Then going to the new reply screen, picking the alette icon and click, then paste in the url.

The Tiger
William Blake

Tiger, tiger, burning bright,
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
When thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand forged thy dread feet?

What the hammer? What the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dared its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile his work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, tiger, burning bright,
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

[LEE]

[Mairi]

Going back to the Ram/Sheep/Goat (I've seen all three), the Rabbit is also referred to as the Cat.

Just to confuse everyone even further.

[LEE]

Sorry ROB I hadn't seen your post, great minds think alike