17 February 1969 to 5 February 1970
Dog 6 February 1970 to 26 January 1971
Pig 27 January 1971 to 14 February 1972
Rat 15 February 1972 to 2 February 1973
Ox 3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974
Tiger 23 January 1974 to 10 February 1975
Rabbit 11 February 1975 to 30 January 1976
Dragon 31 January 1976 to 17 February 1977
Snake 18 February 1977 to 6 February 1978
Horse 7 February 1978 to 27 January 1979
Goat 28 January 1979 to 15 February 1980
Monkey 16 February 1980 to 4 February 1981
Rooster 5 February 1981 to 24 January 1982
Dog 25 January 1982 to 12 February 1983
Pig 13 February 1983 to 1 February 1984
Rat 2 February 1984 to 19 February 1985
Ox 20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986
Tiger 9 February 1986 to 28 January 1987
Rabbit 29 January 1987 to 16 February 1988
Dragon 17 February 1988 to 5 February 1989
Snake 6 February 1989 to 26 January 1990
Horse 27 January 1990 to 14 February 1991
Goat 15 February 1991 to 3 February 1992
Monkey 4 February 1992 to 22 January 1993
Rooster 23 January 1993 to 9 February 1994
Dog 10 February 1994 to 30 January 1995
Pig 31 January 1995 to 18 February 1996
Rat 19 February 1996 to 6 February 1997
Ox 7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998
Tiger 28 January 1998 to 15 February 1999
Rabbit 16 February 1999 to 4 February 2000
Dragon 5 February 2000 to 23 January 2001
Snake 24 January 2001 to 11 February 2002
Horse 12 February 2002 to 31 January 2003
Goat 1 February 2003 to 21 January 2004
Monkey 22 January 2004 to 8 February 2005
Rooster 9 February 2005 to 28 January 2006
Dog 29 January 2006 to 17 February 2007
Pig 18 February 2007 to 6 February 2008
Rat 7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009
Ox 26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010
Tiger 14 February 2010 to 2 February 2011
Rabbit 3 February 2011 to 22 January 2012
Dragon 23 January 2012 to 9 February 2013
Snake 10 February 2013 to 30 January 2014
Horse 31 January 2014 to 18 February 2015
Note
The names of the signs in the Chinese zodiac occasionally differ, although the characteristics of the signs remain the same. In some books the Ox is referred to as the Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit as the Hare or Cat, the Goat as the Sheep and the Pig as the Boar.
For the sake of convenience, the male gender is used throughout this book. Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics of the signs apply to both sexes.
Welcome to the Year of the Horse
Whether pulling a cart, working on a farm, being ridden for pleasure or sport or displaying the graceful skills of dressage, the horse is a good worker. And has style. Many of these qualities will be evident during the Year of the Horse.
The Horse enjoys activity and a prominent feature of the Horse year is that it favours action. Whether on the world stage or in the arts, media, technology, medicine or other spheres, there will be significant developments this year and the emphasis will be on innovation and pushing the boundaries.
Internationally, too, the focus will be on moving situations forward and some landmark agreements will be forged which will bring hope to troubled regions. Previous Horse years have seen the formal reunification of East and West Germany following the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela, which led to dramatic change in South Africa, and, in 1918, the ending of the First World War. In 2014 again, important conflict resolutions can lift the shadow of oppression from certain regions. Middle Eastern and African countries will, in particular, continue to experience great change during the year.
Although the accent will be on progress, there will, though, inevitably be flashpoints and sudden acts of aggression, as in the Horse year of 1990, when Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait, but generally the troubles will be of short duration and the reaction from international communities swift.
Another area which will continue to exercise the minds of those in authority will be the world economy. After the austerity and fiscal measures imposed by some governments, 2014 will bring improvement. The green shoots of recovery already seen in some economies will grow stronger during the year, with many governments taking greater measures to stimulate growth and reduce unemployment. With the Horse year favouring initiative, several dynamic approaches will be put forward. Quite a few sectors will see steady growth, but industries which are likely to fare especially well are transport, technology, fashion and those connected with the use and manufacture of renewable energy. Also, while economic considerations will be paramount, attention will again focus on environmental concerns, particularly on reducing pollution in heavily industrialized areas.
This Horse year will also see lively debate in quite a few countries as governmental and constitutional issues are discussed and new ideas put forward. In the UK in particular, great interest will be focused on the Scottish referendum and the constitutional implications. Other countries, too, will see significant issues debated which could affect national
