Chinese New Year is just around the corner.

In formal Chinese astrology, the birth sign system is a 12-year rotation that starts with the rat, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and ends with the pig.

An old Chinese saying, "Shi yang jiu bu quan", (十羊九不全) literally meaning, “nine out of 10 people born in the Year of the Sheep will suffer greatly", prevails in many parts of the country.

That being said, many famous figures in China and abroad were born in the Year of the Sheep, and have accomplished much in their lives.

Here we list just a few.

Nov 29, 1835: Empress Dowager Cixi. [File photo]