2007 (4704 Chinese lunar calendar years) is the year of the pig - the fire (red) pig to be precise.

The pig is considered to be a lucky animal because the Chinese observe them eating food and sleeping all the time with little to worry them.  As the pig sign contains the elements - water and wood they pretty much get on with every sign in the Chinese zodiac.

Pigs are conservative creatures with a love of nature and a general fear and loathing of new things outside their comfort zone.  They are tolerant and peaceful and avoid arguments at all costs.  Although this gives the impression that pigs are weak, they are not as they will rise to the occasion to defend themselves.

Other characteristics of people born in Pig years are that they patient and honest as well as being modest and shy.  They are supportive of others, reserved and generally not very outgoing with people not in their inner circle.  To friends they appear lively and warm-hearted to outsiders they appear aloof.  Despite this, Pig people tend to have a wide circle of friends, they are trustworthy and will not let friends down.

The year of the Pig is also associated with virility and fertility and, as an extra incentive to those who are thinking of having children this year, children born this year are considered very fortunate.

Famous Pigs include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Letterman, David Tennent, Carlos Santana, Elton John, Hilary Clinton and Danni Minogue.

Here give you the Chinese horos:

Pig : 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
For those born in the pig year, this will be a lucky year — with success in their careers  and also from unexpected windfalls. 2006 was spent preparing for this year and at last, as the pig's year commences, they begin to reap the rewards of their hard word and attention to detail.  The table is set for their banquet year and pigs will  enjoy sharing the feast with family, friends and colleagues.

There is good fortune ahead in 2007 for romantic adventures. Any person born under the sign of the pig, who are planning to marry this year will have a marriage that is exceptionally blessed. Family, always important to the pig, will be well taken care of and if the pig is the head of the household, everyone will enjoy harmony and good fortune. Existing businesses will be successful and new ventures will be fortunate.

Rat : 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
This year will be a bit difficult for anyone born in the rat years, however there is a light at the end of the tunnel - when 2008 year of the rat begins.  The shrewd amongst you will start planning now as 2008 will mark the beginning of a new 12 year cycle.

This year is a good year for you to be with friends and family.  You must take care of old business and tie up loose ends so that they will not become obstacles for any good fortune coming your way.  This year is also a good year to enjoy your hobbies and holidays as you will need to be in good condition when your year commences!

Ox : 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
The Ox - another hard working animal will enjoy good fortune this year.  You will have more energy to get things done which in turn, will bring prosperity and success to the Ox.  However remember to party more often too as this is also a year of celebration for you!  Don't miss an invitation to the banquet as you may miss a great opportunity.

Don't forget your partners this year too, balance your life with work and play and don't forget the romance.

Tiger : 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
The tiger was on a roll last year and with the year of the pig, their fortunes will not change.  However Tigers will need to be a bit more cautious and to temper their pace of life as well as control their energy.

They need to balance their social and business life a little bit more - by perhaps spending more time concentrating on their careers rather than giving into their urge to party.

Try to be more thoughtful about any business/career or romantic decisions this year!

Rabbit : 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Clever rabbits will resist their natural inclination to jump ahead of everyone this year.  Rabbits tend to enjoy good fortune in the year of the pig but are warned to take it easy and to slow down their pace of life.

The calmer rabbit will be ready for a serious commitment this year - romantic  or otherwise...  This year is also a year where the rabbit will see an addition to the family - either through marriage or a happy event of children!  Because the family is so dominant this year, business/careers will take second place, rabbits will enjoy some good advances but not exceptional as all their energy will be devoted to the family.

Dragon : 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
It hasn't been a good run of fortune of late for the Dragon, but this bad run will end with the advent of the year of the pig.  However before they start celebrating, the clouds of the past year may still be on the horizon for those Dragons who are too eager to escape without tying up the loose ends! 

The Dragon needs to be more self controlled this year - which does not come easy with such a fiery creature.  The wiser Dragons will spend this year renewing their energy levels as they are quite low at the moment with the over-exertions of the past year.  Don't be frustrated with your weaknesses or with colleagues and family - plan and prepare for 2008.  Organise trips that require little exertion and don't make any businesses decisions that require a lot of energy and risk - successes will be slow this year.  A cautious Dragon will have renewed strength and fortunes for next year, but as ever it all depends on how long well-rested and prepared you are this year!

Snake : 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
If you were born in the year of the snake, you better take some cover this year and lie low as it will be a quiet year for you.  Your good luck will return when the year is at an end but until then enjoy the company of friend and family.  There will be little success in business and it is not a good time for you to begin new ventures or take on a challenge.  Avoid conflict - you will come off worse.  In essence as the pig sign is completely opposite to the snake sign, you should stay at home and limit your travel.

When the influence of the pig sign has become less powerful you will begin to experience good fortune again.  The rat and ox years will be a good start for snakes who lies low this year and plans for the next.

Horse : 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
The horse will find this year fustrating, though not because of the influence of the pig but because of the neighbour snake who is trying to sabotage the horse's good fortune.  You could find projects taking a long time to come in to fruition or mis-communications causing disruptions.

Spend wisely to pace your resources to last through the coming challenges of the rat year.

Sheep / Goat : 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Luck and good fortune in romance and business are the gifts offered to the lucky sign this year. This is great for any sheep who decides to become engaged or married this year with many great blessings.  The sheep will be showered with many gifts. Sheep who give birth in this year will receive good fortune. This is a year for the Sheep to be bold and outgoing -  shy sheep or one who cannot decide may miss the advantage of all the opportunities that this year brings.

Monkey : 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Although the last two years has not been great  for the monkey, this is going to be a far more promising year for career and business - for the Monkey who is compatible with how the pig approaches life.  The monkey who rushes to the finish will be frustrated this year - but do not get disgruntied with delays these will be minor.  If you approach life as the pig - slow but with a great attention to detail you will understand the why
everything is not moving as fast as you want it to!

The rat year coming up in 2008 will allow you to enjoy the full benefits of your patient work this year. Make the most  of your social life, it will help you to overcome the small frustrations in your career. Be prepared for travel — you could decide to relocate. All will be in preparation for the good fortune which the rat will share with you in 2008.

Rooster : 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Although this will be a good year for the rooster, the rooster will have to be prepared to compromise and , again if the rooster can copy the ways of the pig, and stop worrying about minor detail they will enjoy greater fortune.

The rooster who doesn't copy, may suffer small problems , however with good planning and a steady approach, they will easily overcome these difficulties and bring on rewards.

Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
The dog's dominant energy comes to an end this year though if they used their year wisely - they will still enjoy good fortune this year.  Dogs need to spend more time with their family and friends and concentrate on their social life.  The dog is still full of energy - which will attract new friends. Relationships that begin in this pig year may be a source of good fortune in the next 12 year cycle. Calm and relaxing activities are the best idea for the dog who wants to be prepared for the rat year of 2008.

Please let me know your horscope. LOL