Our topic for week 7 of the 52 week dog photography project is Year of the Dog. I know very little about the Chinese Animal Zodiac Signs. I know very little about zodiac signs period. I do know that according to the Chinese calendar, I was born in the year of the snake. I think that bit of knowledge is the reason why I've not really read much about this. Me: hates snakes. Loves dogs.

I found the following information on chinesehighlights.com.  In order, the 12 animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Each year is associated with a zodiac animal. Again with no knowledge of what these animal zodiac signs mean, my initial thought is really, the snake? Anything but the snake. I'd be okay with a rat over a snake. A dragon or an ox isn't really appealing to me but the others? I'd take a tiger, rabbit, horse, goat, monkey rooster, dog or pig. I got snake. So I figured I'd do a little reading. Let me learn about the year of the snake.

I found this big of information on karmaweather.com regarding the snake. Starting with the first sentence needless to say I was a bit skeptical and I had to look up with perspicacious means (discerning or perceptive).

Endowed with great wisdom and a sound judgment, the Wood Snake is a persevering, discreet, lucid and perspicacious being. Fiercely independent, his relationship with his friends are steady and solid. In return, his companions willingly forgive the Wood Snake his vanity, which is one of his few defects.

The Wood Snake blossoms in calm environments, sheltered from the noise of the world. For instance, it's in a library, one of his places of predilection, that he can calmly quench his thirst for knowledge. While the Wood Snake loves art, music and theater, ensuring the security of his finances remains the primordial quest of his existence. Without this financial security he wouldn't be able to flourish in life. Gifted for speeches, the Wood Snake is a born politician, as his natural magnetism makes him sympathetic and attractive on first sight.

I'll give them this: I am independent. I do like calm environments and having my finances in order is really important to me. The rest of it doesn't really describe me.

One of the sites also said it's bad luck when your year rolls around so those born under the sign of the dog need to wear red this year given to them by an elder. 

Did anyone else research your own sign? Was anyone born in the Year of the Dog? 

To see what everyone else wrote about our topic Year of the Dog, head to Elayne Massaini of PET PHOTOS serving pet photography in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Be sure to click the link at the bottom of each post and you'll make your way around the circle.