According to the Cycle of Chinese Zodiacs, 2005 is the Year of the Rooster.

What do you know about the origin of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs?
Some say the idea came from ancient Babylon 3,000 years ago. Other scholars say they are part of our ancient Chinese culture and manifestations of our forefathers' belief in worshipping animals, images, and their early knowledge of astronomy.

How did the 12 Zodiacs come about?
According to one Chinese scholar, the productivity level of ancient communities was low and our ancestors' knowledge of nature was limited. So they relied heavily on animals to help them. Out of fear and worship, they created the 12 Zodiacs, namely the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Why did our forefathers select these 12 Zodiacs?
These 12 Zodiacs had a close relationship with our ancestors' daily lives. The first category comprised of tamed animals, namely Ox, Ram, Horse, Pig, Dog and Rooster. According to traditional Chinese belief, these six animals symbolize a large family, luck and well being. The second category included wild animals that our ancestors encountered in their daily lives, such as the most revered Tiger and Snake; the most likable Rabbit and Monkey; and the most detested Rat. The Dragon, the icon for luck and wealth, belongs to the third category.

What is a Ruling Zodiac?
Everyone has a Ruling Zodiac that is determined by the lunar year in which the person was born. The 12 Zodiacs rotate every 12 years. This means a person encounters his Ruling Zodiac once every 12 years. Rumor has it that the Ruling Zodiac brings bad luck to those under its influence. So people who encounter their Ruling Zodiac, be they adults or children, should wear lucky charms to steer away ill fate and disasters, and pray for heavenly blessings.

Thus the 12 Zodiacs were borne out of our forefathers' worship and fear of animals, and eventually evolved into lunar astronomy, lunar calculations and fortune telling which is popular until today.