There's a com- mon misconception that if two or more family members share the same Chinese zodiac sign, clashes may arise between them. Some parents born in the Year of the Rabbit, for instance, will go so far as to eschew having children in a Year of the Rabbit so as to avoid the misfortune and bad luck such offspring might bring. This is misguided, although there are four animals in the zodiac over which a red flag could be raised when there is a clash involving the hours, days or months of birth of family members. Associated with what are known as 'self-harm' relationships, the animals in question are the dragon, horse, rooster and pig. A child may share a zodiac sign, when it comes to the year, with a parent but this does not mean he or she will have a detrimental effect on that parent, because only a quarter of the picture is being considered. For a more accurate overview, the governing element of the day of birth - which represents the self - should be compared with that of the month of birth, which represents the parents. When it comes to planning dates to extend your family, it is preferable that you consult an experienced professional rather than do it yourself.