Most people know about the Chinese Zodiac, an astrology system of twelve animals that are arranged by year. However, very few know that within each animal are five elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood.
Those who are helpful and hardworking in our school are likely born in 1997, the year of the fire ox. Those born with the fire element are gifted with dynamic speech and a leader-like nature. The ox is a hard-worker and treats their friends sincerely. This gives the fire ox a great chemistry, because their passionate and fiery personality mixes well with their admirable work ethic and excellent leadership skills, making them great friends and protectors. However, their adulthood may be troubling, since getting comfortable with strangers and making new friends is not their strong point. If they can use their speech skills and friendliness to make lasting relationships, their adulthood will be a peaceful one.
“The traits depicted by the Zodiac are very vague,” Senior Derling Chen said. “It makes them applicable to anyone regardless of their element or sign.”
Born in 1998, wood tigers make great leaders. The wood element makes people optimistic and motivates them to find ways to grow into the best versions of themselves. This intensifies the wood tiger’s hunger for development since the tiger’s sign makes them unpredictable and always in a hurry. Their wood element makes them tolerant and cooperative in group efforts, which goes well with their tiger sign because their diplomacy makes them better at helping and leading others than being ordered around. But even with their need to grow stronger, the wood tiger is not blessed with a tolerance for criticism no matter how honest or constructive it is.
“I can be tolerant and optimistic,” Junior Evette Liang said. “I am also loyal to myself since I’ve never been a follower.”
Most sophomores are born in the year 1999, the year of the earth rabbit. People born with the earth element are intelligent and serious, leading some to mistake them for pessimistic or arrogant people. However, the rabbit sign makes them sociable and popular, which helps relieve the serious side of their element. Although the earth rabbit is blessed with intelligence and sociability, their insecurity may cause them to be over-analytic about minuscule problems and in turn, they can become sensitive and insecure.
“I feel like I can be serious at times,” Sophomore Amy Nakamoto said. “But I also feel like I can be a fun person to be around.”
Those born in 2000, the year of the metal dragon, are characterized as ambitious. Honorable and headstrong, the metal dragon is the most strong-willed of the dragons. Metal represents people who are goal-oriented, and blunt. Their success-driven attitude will guide them to a prosperous life, but if they are not careful they may have a hard time letting go of unrealistic dreams. The dragon sign symbolizes the ability to make great connections with people and easily grab attention. However, they will face obstacles alone when no one accepts their leadership.
“It only applies to me a little bit,” Freshman Joseph An said. “I think I can socialize well, but I am not very blunt.”