The origin of the Chinese Animal Signs of the Zodiac: A legend from ancient China
Buddha invited all of the animals of creation to join him in celebrating the New Year’s Festival.But only twelve animals accepted his invitation. Toreward them for attending, Buddha gave each of them mastery of one year according to the order in which  they arrived.

The Rat was the first to appear which made him first in the series. Actually, this honour should have been bestowed on the Ox but, after riding on his back on the way to  Buddha, theRat leapt in front of the Ox just before they arrived. That is why Rat is at the start of the Chineselunar calendar.

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• MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION! Subscribe today* and then relax knowing you will receive all 12 Lunar notes (each note $39.95). Lunarnotes in your subscription include:
• Rat (priced at $39.95, expected ship date March 2017, ships with packaging that displays all 12 Lunar notes)
• Ox (priced at $39.95, expected ship date April 2017)
• Tiger (priced at $39.95, expected ship date May 2017)
• Rabbit (priced at $39.95, expected ship date June 2017)
• Dragon (priced at $39.95, expected ship date July 2017)
• Snake (priced at $39.95, expected ship date August 2017)
• Horse (priced at $39.95, expected ship date September 2017)
• Sheep (priced at $39.95, expected ship date October 2017)
• Monkey (priced at $39.95, expected ship date November 2017)
• Rooster (priced at $39.95, expected ship date December 2017)
• Dog (priced at $39.95, expected ship date January 2018)
• Pig (priced at $39.95, expected ship date February 2018)
• Amazingly filigree embossing technique. Minted like a coin, but thin like a banknote!
• Detailed color application highlighting traditional Chinese motifs in a modern way.

Rat: Charming and sociable
Guaranteed to be the centre of attention at every party, their most characteristic features include sociability and charm. Material security is very important to the Rat, which explains why the Rat has a high degree of professional ambition, creating great levels of energy until he reaches his goal. The years of the Rat: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008.

Ox: Peaceful and dependable
Organisation is half the battle: This sentence could have come from an Ox because he loves to be well-organised and structured. His cautiousness and keen sense of responsibility makes him perfect for executive positions. In private, Ox is a loyal partner and friend. Theyears of the Ox: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009.

Tiger: Courageous and emotional
There is never a dull moment with the Tiger, he's all action.He loves adventures in all its facets and is always on the lookout for new challenges. Professionally, the Tiger needs his freedom to be able to realise his many different talents. The years of the Tiger:1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010.

Rabbit: Sensible and diplomatic
For the Rabbit, nothing in life is possible without harmony. For this reason, the Rabbit, always acts very diplomatically in his professional arena. Romance and friendship are extremely important in his private life. Rabbits are also very cultivated and pleasantconversationalists. The years of the Rabbit: 1903,1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.

Dragon: Talented and amiable
Dragons are not terrifying at all because whoever is born under this sign is regarded as an energetic and generous person. Dragons need a goal to work towards which they then whole-heartedly throw themselves into. Yet, in the process, the dragon always remains lovable. The years of the Dragon: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012.

Snake: Contemplative and peace-loving
Keep a very close eye on everything first – this is the snake's motto, everything impulsive and ill-judged is alien to him. He draws intelligent conclusions from his observations, his razor-sharp mind helping him in the process. Behind this somewhat unapproachable shell, lies a gentle, kind-hearted person. The years of the Snake: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013.

Horse: Multi-talented and optimistic
Always discovering something new and savouring the pure joy of life – a talented person of many interests is how the Horse can be summed up best. Helikes to be around people and loves to talk. Whatever the Horse lacks in staying power is more than made up for with his never-ending optimism. The yearsof the Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014.

Sheep: Cheerful and laid-back
Time is much too precious for the Sheep to waste on arguments; harmony and contentment are much more important to him. This is what makes the Sheep such a very good listenerand extremely good in providing solace. Tidiness isnot really one of a Sheep's strengths, but one that is easily compensated for through his endearing nature. The years of the Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015.

Monkey: Intelligent and inquisitive
Need something organised or to fi nd a solution to a trickyproblem – the Monkey loves challenges like these. He is very much aided by his intelligence which lets him blossom when others have long given up. But don't make demands on the Monkey for too long because he always prefers to look for new endeavours. The years of the Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016.

Rooster: Flamboyant and upstanding
Just when you think you are getting to know the Rooster, he surprises you with another facet of his personality. But he ismore than just a flamboyant and gifted speaker who loves to be the centre of attention, he is also a hard-working and determined person. And whenever somebody needs a helping hand, the Rooster is right by his or her side. The years of the Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017.

Dog: Sincere and confident
The Dog does not think of himself first, what liesclosest to his heart is the good of the community.For this reason, the Dog also has a wide circle offriends and is a firm favourite in times of need. However, he is very careful in his choice of friends, always remaining true to them. The yearsof the Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

Pig: Good-natured and sociable
The good-natured Pig would rather swallow a nasty comment than provoke an argument. Harmony and peace are much more important to him. As are his optimism and love-thy-neighbourliness. If anything, the Pig loves being sociableand really knows how to party. The years of the Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019.

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