1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

Restless, anxious and unpredictable, Tigers can be as cruel as they are kind. It ain’t easy being the zodiac sign of nature’s most fearsome predator! Tigers are forever hunting, chasing after the latest thrill and looking for something to keep their swiftly-moving minds engaged. Many kids of this sign are always “on,” and can be rather demanding. They love to stun you with their feats of bravery and cunning. Forget what’s on their birth certificates. These kids are born with the middle name “Trouble.”

Clever as can be, Tigers can outsmart, outrun and out-talk you. This is the kid that you might need to strap into one of those backpacks attached to a leash! Since the Tiger doesn’t appreciate being caged, however, you’ll want to find places where your Tiger can roam free, whether that’s a park, the ski slopes, a bouncy castle emporium or your own big backyard (fence NOT optional). Put them in sports, gymnastics, acting class, chess club–anything that provides a mental and physical outlet.

Tigers’ presence is at times unsettling, but it’s also exciting. Perhaps it’s their fearless sense of adventure. Competitive Tigers love a good power game. They know what they want, and will plot and obsess until they get it. Like a tiger circling its prey, teasing the victim before making a deadly pounce, cunning Tigers have killer instincts. Extremely driven, they take failure badly, and obsess over hard-to-reach goals.

While Tigers do achieve the impossible, it’s often at a high price, so parents of this sign will need to make sure your Tiger is grounded in realistic expectations (rather than being a “tiger chasing its tail”). Still, most Tigers won’t back down from a challenge. They’re too afraid of losing their place at the top of the food chain…or worse, of being bored! Obsessing over this, however, can make Tigers come across as threatened, rather than confident. Learning to relax and be satisfied with what they have is an important Tiger lesson.

Western Sign: Aquarius

Compatible With: Horse, Dog

Famous Tigers: Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Amanda Bynes, Demi Moore, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Jay Leno, Mischa Barton, Star Jones, Rosie O’Donnell, Paula Abdul, Alanis Morissette

See another Chinese Zodiac sign