Year of the Pig: what Pig people are like

The Pig is the twelfth and last animal of the cycle, and it closes the circle with warmth. In the old race story the Pig came in last because it stopped for a snack and a nap, and who can blame it? People born in its year often know how to enjoy life.

Born in January or early February? Check the Lunar New Year date for your year.

What Pig people are like

Pig people tend to be generous, good-natured and sincere. They're easy to be around, slow to judge and quick to share. Hold your birth year up like a fun mirror and see what you recognise.

• Generous. Pigs share their food, their time and their good mood.
• Sincere. What you see is usually what you get.
• Easygoing. They forgive quickly and rarely hold a grudge.
• Joyful. Pigs know that a good meal with good people is one of the best things in life.

Because they trust so warmly, Pigs sometimes say yes to everything. It helps when they keep a little of that kindness for themselves.

Good company

The Pig's trio partners are the Rabbit and the Goat. The Rabbit brings gentleness, the Goat brings creativity, and the Pig brings the snacks. The Tiger is often named the Pig's secret friend: bold where the Pig is relaxed, and protective of its big-hearted pal.

Real friendships ignore the chart, of course. The pairings are just fun to compare.

A small thing to try this week

Host something tiny this week: tea for one friend, a shared snack at work, a call with someone far away. It doesn't need to be fancy. Pigs make people feel welcome, and a small table works fine. Put out a bowl of something tasty and let the conversation take care of itself.

In Slipmatic

Press the button on the Robo-Booth ’84 and it prints a slip on how your Chinese year sits with today. With Slipmatic Plus, a fresh slip for the Pig is waiting every morning.

For entertainment and reflection.