The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig are the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac that are celebrated during the Chinese New Year. Each animal of the zodiac has its own unique set of attributes that I find are accurately applied to people born under the animal.

This year, Chinese New Year's will be celebrating the rat, which is associated with liveliness, wealth, and charm. The first to appear in the Zodiac, people born in the year of the rat are also considered to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors.

My 11-year-old brother George was born in the year of rat, and his personality matches these attributes. For example, he is very energetic, cunning, persistent, and strives to excel at everything he does. He tries to beat me in everything I do, and my favorite memory of this was when I brought back a first-place trophy from my first chess tournament in fourth grade. When he saw me carrying my trophy up to my room, he immediately wanted to learn how to play the game of chess. As a result, when I went to my second chess tournament the following week, my brother tagged along and ended up winning the kindergarten section. From that point on, his style of aggressive play and depriving his opponents of all counter chances has won him many tournaments and awards.

I was born in the year of the sheep. Unlike the rat, the sheep is thought to be the most patient, artistic, and creative sign of the zodiac. The sheep attempts to maintain a healthy life, is able to deal with the hardships of life, and tries not to hurt anyone's feelings.

I see that my personality, like my brother's, is closely related to the attributes of the sheep. I often am able to deal with any misfortunes that come across my life and I like to help people out whenever they need something. Although I don't consider myself to be a very good artist, I see my creativity applied to chess, where I often envision multiple plans to carry out deadly combinations. Unlike my brother, however, I don't like to play very aggressively, and instead aim to play solid positions where I can slowly torture my opponent.

Is it coincidence that a person's characteristics match his or her year of the animal? No one probably knows. However, it is clear that just like how the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac are all different, all humans have their own distinctive ways to express their talents and portray their personalities.