Most Chinese kids grow up knowing from a very early age what sign they are born under. If you lose your temper, it is attributed to the yang side of your nature; if you don't get along with your mum, it is because your signs conflict; if you succeed in school, it is because you are born under an intelligent sign, and so on. Under Theodora Lau's guidance, feel free to delegate all responsibility for your actions - she provides a very good summary of the "basic" attributes of each sign as it is understood by the (Chinese) person on the street, and also combines it with the western signs, for added interest and familiarity with Western audiences (and perhaps also explains why people born in the same year are not clones of each other!) She also touches on how the hour of your birth will result in more refined differences.
The main charm of this book is the sprightly manner in which she deals with the subject, amusing and readable in turns. One can almost believe it is a mirror she is holding up ... how very flattering ... one wonders if she has the wily pen of a Monkey, or the charm of a Snake ...