Signs and Symbols

This is me, I am a Wood Dragon:

Personality

Occupying the 4th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon is the mightiest of the signs. Dragons symbolize such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful. They’re driven, unafraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. They’re passionate in all they do and they do things in grand fashion. Unfortunately, this passion and enthusiasm can leave Dragons feeling exhausted and interestingly, unfulfilled.
While Dragons frequently help others, rarely will they ask for help. Others are attracted to Dragons, especially their colorful personalities, but deep down, Dragons prefer to be alone. Perhaps that is because they’re most successful when working alone. Their preference to be alone can come across as arrogance or conceitedness, but these qualities aren’t applicable. Dragons have tempers that can flare fast.

Health

Considering their hard-working nature, Dragons are healthy overall. They do get stressed and suffer from periodic tension/headaches, likely because they take so many risks. Dragons could benefit from incorporating mild activity into their lives. Yoga or walking would be good as these activities can work both their minds and their bodies.

Career

Dragons prefer leading to being led. Jobs that allow them to express their creativity are good choices.

Relationships

Dragons will give into love, but won’t give up their independence. Because they have quick, sometimes vengeful tempers, their partners need to be tough-skinned. Dragons enjoy others who are intriguing, and when they find the right partners, they’ll usually commit to that person for life.

Wood Dragons –

Wood Dragons also are willing to entertain the opinions of others. Their artistic side is strong, and Wood Dragons enjoy being creative and innovative. They get along with others, but will always be the dominating force.

(My take: this is surprisingly accurate. I take exception to the "dominance and ambition" part, because I don't see that in myself. But it is true that I don't like to live by other people's rules, and that I'm most successful when left to my own devices. It is very true that I'm willing to help others, but unwilling to ask for or accept help myself. It is also very true that, deep down, I prefer to be alone, I thrive on being alone, and am definitely more successful working alone (hence the freelance career). It has often during my life been pointed out to me that I come off to the casual observer aloof and even arrogant. And yes, this is definitely a misconception.
My temper, while rare (you have to push me pretty far) is indeed both swift and fierce. Fortunately, my Rat does indeed have the thickest of skins. ...and the part about giving in to love but not giving up my independence? Eerily accurate. That's really the crux of it.)

This is M, he is a Water Rat:

Personality

Occupying the 1st and most prominent position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Rat symbolizes such character traits as wit, imagination and curiosity. Rats have keen observation skills and with those skills they’re able to deduce much about other people and other situations. Overall, Rats are full of energy, talkative and charming but they have a tendency to become aggressive.
Rats are full of good advice but they will never share their troubles with others. They are honest individuals and they enjoy living for the moment. They’re also capable of surviving any situation.

Health

Overall Rats enjoy good health. They’re very active which helps keep them in shape and able to fight off sickness. They can at times be tense, aggressive, and full of nervous energy, conditions which can lead to stress. Regular exercise designed to calm will benefit Rats.

Career

Extremely perceptive and wise, Rats can focus on the big picture. That ability along with their good judgment enables Rats to solve problems before they arise. Rats focus on titles because titles translate into status and money; two motivating forces. Rats make excellent bosses. Routine halts their creativity so Rats need flexible positions that allow creativity. Good career choices include: administrator, director, manager, entrepreneur, broadcaster, writer, musician, stand-up comedian, politician, lawyer, researcher, and race car driver.

Relationships

Rats are very charming. They enjoy social activities and because they’re out a lot, they’re always meeting new people. They aren’t good at breaking off relationships however, and this presents problems going forward with new relationships. Anyone hoping to partner with a Rat must be able to keep up with the Rat’s active nature.

Water Rats –

Water Rats are extremely influential. They’re smart and insightful which makes them excellent at problem-solving. Practical and understanding, Water Rats interact well with and are liked by others.

(My take: M is definitely witty and imaginative, with a great curiosity about the world at large. Honesty is, indeed, a hallmark of his personality, and he does not share his troubles with others (that's his famous stoicism). Keen observation is his talent, it's true, hence the journalism. He is both talkative and charming, although agressiveness in him is even rarer than my temper (challenge his idea of ethical behavior, though, and watch out!) He definitely lives in the moment, and he is a survivor.
I don't see him as either tense or aggressive by nature, although he definitely can get stressed, mainly because he overloads himself so much with responsibilities.
It's true that he's good at being the boss in the work situation, and is both perceptive and wise. I love that they have both stand-up comedian and entrepreneur under his career choices - because both of those are things he could easily do.
I don't know how social he is - he CAN be social and is well-liked, but like me spends the majority of his time at home in our private domain.
He does have trouble breaking off relationships - true - which in this case is a good thing, since we're in it for the long haul!)
Source:
chinesezodiac.com