The "rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig" combine to form the Chinese Zodiac which relates each year to an animal and its reputed attributes, according to a 12-year cycle. Chinese Zodiac is similar with the Western Zodiac the twelve constellations. Nevertheless, there are major differences: the 12 parts cycle of Chinese Zodiac is divided into years rather than months.

Chinese Zodiac is very important for Chinese since ancient time, and people also like to count the years with them. If we walk along the Chinese markets, we could find variety types of things are decorated with Chinese Zodiac, such as toys, clothing, personal goods and some traditional Chinese Handicraft (the most one is may be Chinese Cutting)...

People also like to buy the animal sign that they were born under, and this is a label for them. For example, 2010, according to Chinese calendar, is the year of tiger. So tiger related things are more popular than others. We can find Tiger Pillows, Tiger Shoes, Tiger Paintings, Tiger Toys, Mini Tiger Hangings and so on near around us. The people who were born under the tiger year will prefer to own some tiger related things for their body (The people who were born in the year of 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 appear to be tiger zodiac). The same as other people, different kind of people will choose their animal sign goods, like the people who were born under rabbit year will buy the things which related with the lovely rabbit for themselves or other friends as auspicious goods.

In another word, 2010 is also their (the people who were born in the year of tiger zodiac) year of birth considered in relation to the 12 Terrestrial Branches. This means that they have already experienced one or more 12 cycles and they are now 13-year-old, 25-year-old, 37-year-old, 49-year-old, 61-year-old, 73-year-old, 85-year-old or 97-year-old. People will wear red cloth, red vest, red pants or red sash, etc. to wish good luck for them when this year coming, especially during the days of New Year.