However, while each sign only rules for 30 days in the western zodiac, the lunar influence means that each of the 12 Chinese zodiac characters rules for an entire year. And while the western zodiac has an assortment of arachnids, mammals, mythological creatures and symbolic caricatures in its 12 pack, the Chinese one relies almost solely on animals to represent the characteristics of individual years. The one exception is the dragon, the sign corresponding to Scorpio in the western zodiac. The dragon, being a mythical creature, is said to have been included into the zodiac by either Buddha or the Jade Emperor of Heaven to remind mankind of their finiteness. Unsurprisingly the dragon is considered the luckiest sign of the 12.
Oriental legend explains the order of the animals in a few ways.
The most popular has it that the years were named after the first 12 animals in all creation to finish a race celebrating the birthday of the Jade Emperor of Heaven. It is believed that the only reason the rat precedes the ox is the fact that the rascally rodent hid in the tenacious ox's saddlebags and jumped out when the gates of heaven were in sight. The year 2000 is ruled by the metal dragon. Its lunar period will run from February 5th 2000 to January 23rd 2001. People born under the sign of the dragon will have been born between these dates.