The Dog

1922, 1934,1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006,2018

The dog is the eleventh sign of the Chinese Zodiac. Its intrinsic element is earth. The compass direction of the dog is between 277.5 degrees to 307.5 degrees. This falls in the direction of the west-northwest.

You will find that this sector of the house occupies an angle of 30 degrees. This sector is said to be the part of the house deemed most lucky for those residents who are born in any of the years of the dog. The years of the dog are listed in the table above. These years have not been adjusted to take account of the lunar New year. Thus if you were born in any of the above years but during say, the month of January, chances are, you do not belong to the dog year but instead to the year prior to the dog year which is the year of the rooster. In the same way you could still be a dog. If you are born in the January of the following year. To check your date of birth against the lunar calendar please refer to the 100 year lunar calendar at the back of the book.

The Dog

When the animal signs were being selected, the cat and the dog were in fierce competition. Each tried to prove that they had done more to help humans. The cat argued that the dog, ate too much and all he did was guard the door, while the dog argued that the cat ate all the best food and all he did was scare mice. The argument became so fierce that they turned to the Emperor for judgment.

The Emperor listened, then asked how much food the dog ate every day; the dog replied honestly that he had one bowl of food each meal. When the cat was asked the same question, he lied and claimed that he only had a small bowl of food every meal. Impressed, the Emperor ruled that the cat had a greater claim but that both could take part in the competition.

When the day of the race came, the dog got up early and secured a good place. However, the cat was so scared of the dog attacking him for his lies that he hung behind and came in just after the pig. He thought he was in the first twelve, but the rat had cheated to come first, meaning that the cat had not gained a place as an animal sign. As a result, to this day cats chase rates because they cheated and, in turn, dogs chase cats because they cheated.

Personality of the people born in the dog year

You have an honest and courageous nature, ready to fight for a worthy cause or to defend friends in trouble. You are sensitive to others and empathize with them, particularly if they have suffered and injustice, reacting quickly with the same feeling, as though you had been personally offended. Your friends value this trust and loyalty, and know that you can be relied upon to keep a promise or remain cool in a crisis. It is rare for you to betray a confidence or withdraw from a commitment.

When you are told a story or hear of an event you need to know all the facts, and are dissatisfied if you feel you have only been given half the story; but, it is precisely this search for the truth that can make you over-critical. You feel it is your duty to point out weaknesses not out of spite, but because you feel honesty is the best policy.

There are many times, however, when your advice is welcomed and your enthusiasm appreciated. You can inspire confidence without being forceful, and you are not usually misled by appearances nor preoccupied with the superfluous.

There is a pessimistic side to your character and your spirit is drained when you hear of situations beyond your control, such as natural or human disasters. You sometimes find the world overwhelming and need to withdraw from crowds to a quiet place where you can mull over these worries. You want everything to work out in the best possible way and are anxious about the potential problems that may befall you or those around you. Try not to exhaust yourself thinking about problems that have not yet materialized. There is no doubt that you have a strong sense of duty and responsibility, but at times you need to relax and realize that it is impossible for you to shoulder every burden.

Romance

You are a good listener and encourage your partner to share their problems, but when it comes to revealing your own feelings you are more reticent, wary of burdening others with your worries. You need reassurance and encouragement, and enjoy the company of someone who has the confident and adventurous sprit that you sometimes lack. You are faithful and tender but it is important to you that your .loyalty is reciprocated. You do not enjoy the excitement of the chase or thrive on jealous scenes, and when you feel isolated you soon become anxious and reserved. It could also take a long time for you to regain your trust once you have been hurt or deceived.

You may find it easier to form a friendship first and let it slowly develop into a romance, but once committed you are loving and faithful and will not be slow to defend your partner’s reputation. Do not be distressed by imaginings caused by an incidental remark or unintentional criticism when you already know that the relationship is established on firm foundations.

Career

You can be relied upon to act responsibly, and can be trusted with sensitive information. You need to have a clear sense of the job description and its final aim but once sure of your role, you are a dedicated and steady worker. Avoid aggressive and competitive occupations as these will only make you nervous; focus instead on work that enables you to build trusting relationships with other people.

You are a conscientious colleague, and once you have made a commitment you fulfill it to the best of your ability. Although you can e hesitant particularly if you are faced by a sudden deadline. You work well as a member of a team, but are also an accessible leader. You like to keep the peace with your colleagues, but you are not afraid to stand up; in defense of a good cause and will work tirelessly on behalf of others.

You are suited to a career in education, law, social work or research. You would also be a good teacher of a religious order.

Dog Associations

Element

Earth :

In Chinese philosophy the five elements are types of energy that affect all life. It is their interaction that creates change from a global level to a personal level. The dog is associated with the element of earth, which works in harmony with the element of metal but is overwhelmed by the element of wood.

Colour

Yellow :

The dog is linked to the colour yellow, which was the imperial colour of China - the colour reserved for the emperor. Yellow is associated with progress, fame and achievement. It is also linked to the element of earth since the fertile soils in many areas of China have a yellow hue.

Energy

Yin/Yang :

Yin and yang are the two great cosmic forces which influence and balance all life. Yin is cool, watery and still while yang is hot, heavy and dynamic. The dog is associated with the element of earth in which yin and yang are equally balanced, a combination that is linked to thought and care.

Direction

West-North-West :

Each of the twelve animal signs is matched to a direction of the compass. The dog is linked to a west-north-westerly direction, which in turn is associated with the mid-evening hours. This direction is also traditionally linked to the end of autumn, as yin continues to grow strong and yang becomes increasingly weak.

The Balancing energy for people born in the dog year

Dog year people are advised to observe the following :

In the years of the snake (2001):

Fortunes take a sharp upswing. Place metal objects in the north-west for mentor luck and use prosperity enhancers like 3 legged toads and good luck coins.

In the years of the Horse (2002) :

A year of expansion and money luck. Magnify good fortune with the Chi Lin and Ru Yi. Career luck is very obvious this year.

In the years of the Sheep (2003) :

Small setbacks this year but these can be nullified by placing wind chimes or bells in the south-east as this will exhaust the deadly 5 yellow there. Place a bright chandeliers in the south, south-west to energize.

In the years of the monkey (2004) :

A smooth year. Harmony can be maintained by placing a pair of yin yang balls in the west/south-west.

In the years of the Rooster (2005) :

Emotional setbacks make this an unhappy year. Dissipate this by placing the Laughing buddha in the living room and the Fuk Luk Sau in the dining room.

In the years of the Dog (2006) :

Place Fu dogs in the Dog's home direction i.e. west, north-west to ensure that disputes to do not get out of hand this year.

In the years of the Boar (2007) :

A quiet period that benefits from the presence in the house of the double happiness calligraphy as well as longevity symbols like the peach, the crane or the deer. These images can be on paintings or displayed as ceramics. Hang an 8 rod wind chime in the north-east to overcome the deadly 5 yellow.

In the years of the Rat (2008) :

A very good year for income luck. Display all the prosperity symbols including the dragon, horse and coins tied in anyway at all.

In the years of the OX(2009) :

Place two crystal balls in the Southwest to ensure harmony in relationships this year. Try not to get entangled in disputes.

In the years of the TIGER(2010) :

For luck, place cut crystal balls on windows along the northeast walls of the house to capture yang energy from sunlight.