Legend has it that Chinese Astrology originated when Buddha was on his death bed. He called all the animals together on Chinese New Year for one last meeting before he was to depart earth. Only twelve turned up to bid him farewell. He honoured them by naming a year after them in the order in which they arrived - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. He declared that people born in that animals year would have some of that animals personality. So the belief is,  that the animal ruling the year in which you were born, exercises a profound influence on your life. "The animal that hides in your heart"