生肖与星座两者都透露着一种古老而又神秘的气息，它们是以某种具体的形象来记载节气时令的方法，其中凝结了东西方古代先民的传统与智慧的结晶。可以说是东西方文化的一个缩影。春节来临时，十二生肖的气息在中国更浓一些，究竟生肖与星座之间哪个更胜一筹？

Chinese society these days is still full of colorful horoscopes and zodiac signs. Every year, grocery stores are packed with paper cuttings, wall hangings and stuffed animals in the shape of the upcoming animal year. But how applicable are these zodiac signs and predictions in every day life?

Is it just an old and fading tradition? Far from it, says Stefanie Fu from Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. In China, these twelve animals still play a big part in the way some people plan events.

"Maybe this year and this day is very good for engagement or for marriage or for children. I think if you want a baby, many people think about their horoscope. Many of my friends still take into account the western constellations that are very popular with us. But for most Chinese people, especially the old ones, older generation, they think the time and the horoscope are the most important things."

For example, the 2007 Year of the Pig is a lucky year for happiness and ideal for bearing children. As a result, hospitals were overflowing with lucky babies. Similarly, Year of the Dog saw increases in those Chinese willing to "tie the knot."

Last Year of the Tiger's ferocious feline traits were good for money and business but not for marriage.

But Fu adds that she's not a big believer, but several years ago, the predictions for her year were true.

"I felt very lucky that year. I passed exams, I got a high degree and I even found work. That year, I was very lucky and I think maybe it's very important."

But how much of luck a state of mind? Eddy Lewis from New York has lived in different cities in China for the last four years. He suggests that maybe it's all about perspective.

"I think if you're born, and people tell you that you're going to be lucky, when two gumballs come out of the gumball machine, you think, 'Ah, it's because I was born in this year.' And the guy born in the Year of the Rabbit thinks, 'Ah, what a nice day.' The person born in the Year of the Pig puts a little too much thought into it and reads a bit too much into it. So, I think you can believe whatever you want to believe that way."

Because each animal is associated with personality traits, a Year of the Dog person may be someone who is loyal and honest. People born under the Year of the Rat, or Mouse, tend to be lively and spirited.

Becky Sun from Zhejiang Province finds there are certain animal characteristics of her sign that do match her personality.

"I was born at night, maybe eleven o'clock at night in the Year of the Mouse. So the mouse at night needs to find the food to feed himself so maybe his life was very busy and I also believe my work is very busy."

Irene Li from Beijing was also born in the Year of the Mouse and says she's noticed other commonalities.

"My classmates and I were both were born in the same year. I think we both are similar in personality. We both like the same music and movies."

Like in the West, many Chinese also use the western zodiac signs for their horoscopes to find out if they will be lucky in love, life or jobs.

Stefanie Fu says she considers Chinese and western zodiac predictions useful for different things.

"For me, I think it's very interesting because there are some introductions or predictions in our newspapers and magazines about constellations, or the western zodiac. But most of the time, maybe twenty percent of the predictions are right. I think the western zodiac is suitable for a week check. But the Chinese people are discouraged every year, for example, if something bad happens. For example, the tiger is very strong and powerful, they think if there's a flood or an earthquake, people will talk about the natural disaster with the Chinese zodiac not with the constellations."

Eddy Lewis says he doesn't believe in the Chinese zodiac personality traits because it's too hard to lump a whole year of people together. However, he can't help but draw some conclusions when it comes to some western zodiac signs.

"So every girlfriend that I've had that's been awful has been a Cancer. I don't know if that's me, noticing that Cancers have these certain personality characteristics or it's me just blaming everything on the zodiac as opposed to just saying, 'Ah, bad luck.' And I think it's always easier for people to believe there is some kind of plan or way to navigate your life and make your way through it if you have some clues. I admit, if I meet a Cancer, I keep an eye on her and think, 'what's up with this girl?' And I wouldn't have done that before."

So, maybe zodiac and horoscopes aren't so farfetched. Whether they believe it or not, millions of Chinese may be planning at least a few things according to the upcoming Year of the Rabbit.

For CRI, I'm Andrea Hunt.

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