According to the Chinese zodiac, 2018 is the Year of the Dog, more specifically, the Earth Dog. 

In Chinese folk culture, if you are born in the Year of the Dog, you always have a high sense of justice, loyalty and responsibility. You are also practical, trustworthy and generous to others. Here are a few of the world's most prominent "dogs."

After being represented during the 2017 Chinese New Year as a giant rooster in a shopping mall in China, US President Donald Trump is once again being displayed as a giant statue, this time a dog, ahead of the 2018 Chinese New Year. 

This one could be particularly noteworthy for Trump, who was born in 1946, also the Year of the Dog, and falls in the "fire" category of the ancient Five Elements, which might explain his bad temper. Some Chinese astrologists would also associate the zodiac animal with good traits such as intelligence and honesty.

But ironically, Trump is not a dog person. He doesn't raise one like many of the other world leaders, and if you look at his Twitter posts, he has employed canine similes to describe an opponent. in Chinese zodiac culture, a person's life can face misfortune when entering their birth year. For example, someone born in the Year of the Dog should be careful when entering the next Year of the Dog. Maybe Trump should wear his red tie more often to ward off evil.

Interestingly, Trump shares his birth year and Chinese zodiac sign with former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Bush has been mocked by the media and other politicians for his linguistic errors made during his public speeches and clumsiness, which are not typical of "dogs." But being born into the prominent Bush family matches the Chinese saying that "dogs" are always surrounded by helpful people. 

Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Clinton is regarded smart, charming and talented. Yet his sex scandal involving White House employee Monica Lewinsky shows Clinton was not so loyal in marriage, which doesn't fit into a "dog" personality.

Among all the stars born in the Year of the Dog, we can't ignore Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop." The American singer, songwriter and dancer was one of the most famous entertainers in the world, and a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Jackson, born on August 29, 1958, made his professional debut in 1964 with his older brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. He began his solo career in 1971, and in the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. He won 13 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and 26 American Music Awards. On June 25, 2009, Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Jackson was a typical "dog" in terms of being diligent, tolerant, accountable and giving. He traveled the world attending events honoring his humanitarianism, and, in 2000, the Guinness World Records recognized him for supporting 39 charities, more than any other entertainer. For instance, Jackson in 1992 founded the Heal the World Foundation, which brought underprivileged children to Jackson's Neverland ranch to enjoy the property's theme park rides, and sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war, poverty and disease. 

The ranch was built in 1988 near Santa Ynez, California. Jackson installed several carnival rides on the 2,700-acre property, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, menagerie, movie theater and zoo. It can be seen as a retreat for the superstar, a large part of whose life was exposed to the public. The physical abuse by his father, Joe, also contributed to his strong "sense of self-protection," similar to that of other dog-year people.

There are two world-renowned fashion designers who were both born in the Year of the Dog, Pierre Cardin and Gianni Versace. The two successful tailors have other things in common – remaining "hardworking and close to people," good traits possessed by “dog" people.

Born on July 2, 1922, Pierre Cardin is an Italian-born French fashion designer. From childhood he was interested in dressmaking instead of going to school. At the age of 14, he began his career early working as a clothier’s apprentice, eagerly learning the basics of fashion design and construction. In 1939, he left home to work for a tailor in Vichy, where he began making suits for women. Cardin moved to Paris in 1945. There, he worked with Elsa Schiaparelli until he became head of Christian Dior's tailleur atelier in 1947. Cardin founded his own brand in 1950 and introduced the "bubble dress" in 1954.

Gianni Versace was an Italian fashion designer and founder of Versace. He was born in Reggio Calabria in 1946, and began his apprenticeship at a young age at his mother's sewing business. He moved to Milan at the age of 26 to work in fashion design. In 1973, he became the designer of "Byblos," a successful Genny's youthful line. Later in 1978, his first boutique was opened in Milan's Via della Spiga. In 1994, the brand gained widespread international coverage due to the "Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley." Versace was shot and killed on July 15, 1997, at the age of 50, on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion.