The Chinese Zodiac is a system of twelve animals that represent the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. The twelve animals are the DOG (3 letters), HORSE (5 letters), SNAKE (5 letters), PIG (3 letters), OX (2 letters), RAT (3 letters), TIGER (5 letters), GOAT (4 letters), MONKEY (6 letters), DRAGON (6 letters), CRAB (4 letters), RAM (3 letters), LION (4 letters) and RABBIT (6 letters). Each animal has its own unique characteristics and is associated with certain years, months, days and hours.