Liu Qingzhi.[Photo provided to China Daily]

2. Liu Qingzhi, 47, businessman in Beijing

Ibelieve people who credit miseries in life to fate or the influence of zodiac signs are cowards who are too weak to face up to life's challenges.

I heard about the saying at a very young age. At that time, there were lots of similar sayings about bad luck or fate with things people could or couldn't control, such getting a haircut during the first lunar month could cause your uncle to die.

In the past, people often had little education, so when they could not explain something rationally, they would say it was because of fate or some superstitious power. Such sayings are sometimes passed down from one generation to another. Young people are too inexperienced to make judgments by themselves, and will just believe what they are told.

It is ridiculous to believe that zodiac signs will influence someone's fate. I never talk with my child about such beliefs. I was born in the Year of Sheep, but to me, that is good, because I have less competition from peers, since many parents don't want their children to be born in the Year of Sheep.

Financially, I'm doing well, and all the people I know who were born in the Year of Sheep also live a good life.