Tattoo designs of zodiac signs have always been very popular as a lot of people know their star sign and how their characteristics can provide an insight into who they are. So as tattoos are very personal they make an easy choice of tattoo design because once you know your star sign it's easy to find a symbol to represent your zodiac sign.
However, as well as traditional western astrological signs you could also use those from Chinese astrology. The Chinese zodiac follows a 12 year cycle, with each year named after 12 animals. These animals represent twelve different personality types which can be summarized as follows:
Rat (1948,1960, 1972, 1984,1996, 2008)
Disciplined, meticulous, hard-working and ambitious yet honest. Can be manipulative, selfish and prone to spend freely.
Ox (1949,1961, 1973, 1985,1997, 2009)
Bright, patient, dependable calm and inspiring to others. Can be happy in their own company but also stubborn, demanding and materialistic.
Tiger (1950,1962, 1974, 1986,1998, 2010)
Tiger people are passionate, sincere, courageous, candid and sensitive. Can also be seen as aggressive, impatient and quick-tempered.
Rabbit (1951,1963, 1975, 1987,1999, 2011)
Talented, articulate, self-assured and lucky, seeking peace throughout their life. Yet can also be shy, moody, detached and superficial.
Dragon (1952,1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Can be fiery, passionate, strong, self-assured and full of purpose. Can also be tyrannical, demanding and over-bearing.
Snake (1953, 1965, 1977,1989, 2001, 2013)
Wise and intelligent with a tendency towards physical beauty. Vain and high-tempered can also be a loner who is a bad communicator and self-doubting.
Horse (1954, 1966, 1978,1990, 2002, 2014)
Cheerful, quick-witted, open-minded and popular. Often impatient, ostentatious and lack stability and perseverance.
Sheep (1955, 1967, 1979,1991, 2003, 2015)
Elegant, sincere, mild-mannered and creative. Can be moody, timid, indecisive and prefer anonymity.
Monkey (1956, 1968, 1980,1992, 2004, 2016)
Very intelligent, motivated, inquisitive and able to influence people. Enthusiastic achievers yet can also be easily discouraged, vain, selfish and suspicious.
Rooster (1957, 1969, 1981,1993, 2005, 2017)
Pioneers in spirit, they are devoted to their work and quest after knowledge. Can also be abrasive, selfish and eccentric.
Rat (1948,1960, 1972, 1984,1996, 2008)
Disciplined, meticulous, hard-working and ambitious yet honest. Can be manipulative, selfish and prone to spend freely.
Ox (1949,1961, 1973, 1985,1997, 2009)
Bright, patient, dependable calm and inspiring to others. Can be happy in their own company but also stubborn, demanding and materialistic.
Tiger (1950,1962, 1974, 1986,1998, 2010)
Tiger people are passionate, sincere, courageous, candid and sensitive. Can also be seen as aggressive, impatient and quick-tempered.
Rabbit (1951,1963, 1975, 1987,1999, 2011)
Talented, articulate, self-assured and lucky, seeking peace throughout their life. Yet can also be shy, moody, detached and superficial.
Dragon (1952,1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
Can be fiery, passionate, strong, self-assured and full of purpose. Can also be tyrannical, demanding and over-bearing.
Snake (1953, 1965, 1977,1989, 2001, 2013)
Wise and intelligent with a tendency towards physical beauty. Vain and high-tempered can also be a loner who is a bad communicator and self-doubting.
Horse (1954, 1966, 1978,1990, 2002, 2014)
Cheerful, quick-witted, open-minded and popular. Often impatient, ostentatious and lack stability and perseverance.
Sheep (1955, 1967, 1979,1991, 2003, 2015)
Elegant, sincere, mild-mannered and creative. Can be moody, timid, indecisive and prefer anonymity.
Monkey (1956, 1968, 1980,1992, 2004, 2016)
Very intelligent, motivated, inquisitive and able to influence people. Enthusiastic achievers yet can also be easily discouraged, vain, selfish and suspicious.
Rooster (1957, 1969, 1981,1993, 2005, 2017)
Pioneers in spirit, they are devoted to their work and quest after knowledge. Can also be abrasive, selfish and eccentric.
There are many legends surrounding how the Chinese zodiac began, one of which is that before leaving the earth, Buddha summoned all the animals of earth but only twelve arrived. So he named a year after them in the order that they had arrived.
Based on the lunisolar calendar Chinese astrology follows the cycle of the moon and the earth's revolution around the sun, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar which starts on January 1. So the start of a new zodiac year is celebrated on Chinese New Year. This means that those born in January or early February should make sure to check when the Chinese New Year begins in the year they were born in order to ensure they find their correct sign.
So as an alternative to traditional tattoo designs of zodiac signs, using the Chinese zodiac provides a great way of getting a fitting personal tattoo which can also be represented with a Chinese symbol. Who knows, you may also learn some interesting aspects about your character.
