Chinese Zodiac
The existence of the Chinese lunar calendar came about around 2637 BC The calendar system involves one 60-year cycle, which then contains five cycles of 12 years. The latest cycle started on February 1984 and will end February 2044. The new year begins with the (western) second new moon after winter (between January 21 and February 19). The lunar year contains twelve months of 29.5 days. Every 2.5 years, a month is added to adjust the calendar, therefore producing the Lunar Leap year.

As for the animal signs for each year, it resulted from many legends. According to one legend, Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before his death, but only twelve animals came. As a reward he named a year after the animals according to their arrival. Other legends say that the naming of the twelve signs resulted from a contest that was held by the Jade Emperor of China. Anyway, the order of the animals follows: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Cat/Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. Each of the animal signs are combined with five powerful elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element dominates over the next element, but they will eventually end in a cycle and therefore are equal. These five elements are also combined with the Ying and Yang philosophy; therefore no two years are alike.