Legend has it that Chinese Astrology and the order of the twelve animals that define it was determined thousands of years ago by Lord Buddha himself.
According to the age-old tale, Buddha realised that the Chinese nation needed a reorganisation. So on the occasion of the Chinese New Year (which occurs on different dates from mid-January to mid-February), Buddha called upon the entire animal kingdom for a meeting. But only twelve animals showed up for this meeting.
First to arrive was the talkative, aggressive Rat, then came the enduring, hard-working Buffalo. Close on their heels came the honorable, smiling Tiger accompanied by his crony, cautious Cat. Immediately followed, the spiffy, outspoken Dragon ahead of the wise, philosophical Snake. The gifted, physically active Horse came along with the gentle, artistic Goat. The spirited, merry Monkey came next. Then, in strutted the proud and showy Rooster. Finally, the twelve were completed when the faithful and watchful Dog arrived followed by the scrupulous, resigned Boar.
Buddha then honoured them in the order of their arrival by endowing upon them with a year of their own. From then on, each successive year of the Chinese calendar bore that character of the animal that gave it a name and so, those born in specific animal years are marked by the nature of their natal animal.
Yet, all people born in the same animal are not the same literally and do differ from each other in certain aspects. These differences are determined by the various elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each of these elements distinguishes one person of the same animal from the other
