The Chinese zodiac is a centuries-old tradition that links an individual’s birth year to one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac chart, with each animal representing unique personality traits and behaviours. Widely followed by Chinese people, the Chinese zodiac plays a major role in determining compatibility in relationships and career choices.
The 12 zodiac animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The calendar follows a specific order and the cycle repeats itself every 12 years.
For example, if you were born in 1990, your sign is the Horse. As per the 12-year cycle, anyone born in 2002, 2014, or 2026 would also be a Horse.
To find out what is "my Chinese zodiac sign", simply match your birth year with the zodiac year, and there you have your zodiac sign. Each year is linked to one of the 12 zodiac animals, each with unique characteristics and meanings.
Remember: the Chinese zodiac year doesn’t start on January 1; instead, it follows the Chinese lunar calendar, usually beginning in mid-January to late February. So, someone born in early January may belong to the zodiac of the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chinese zodiac year is determined by your birth year and not your birth month, like in Western astrology.
- The zodiac follows a 12-year repeating animal cycle, where the Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the New Year and not January 1st.
- The zodiac system follows a lunisolar calendar that is a combination of lunar and solar cycles. This is the reason why Chinese festivals fall on different dates every year.
- The order of the zodiac animals follows a set pattern and they originate from the legend of the Jade Emperor’s race, where each animal's position is determined by who crossed the line first.
- Every zodiac sign is associated with certain personality traits and is used to assess compatibility in relationships as well as influence major life decisions.
What Is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
In Chinese astrology, your zodiac sign is determined by your birth year within a repeating 12-year cycle rather than by your birth month as in Western astrology. Finding 'what is my Chinese zodiac sign' is quite simple. Simply look up the Chinese zodiac years and match your year of birth to the right zodiac sign.
Here is how you go about it.
- Enter your birth year in the chart below.
- Match your year with the corresponding animal.
- And, voilà, you have found your zodiac animal.
Chinese Zodiac Years and Corresponding Animals
Here is a quick overview of the Chinese zodiac animals and their corresponding years to help you identify which sign you belong to.
| Zodiac Animal | Example Years |
|---|---|
| Rat | 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 |
| Ox | 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 |
| Tiger | 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 |
| Rabbit | 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 |
| Dragon | 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 |
| Snake | 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 |
| Horse | 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 |
| Goat | 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 |
| Monkey | 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 |
| Rooster | 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 |
| Dog | 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 |
| Pig | 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 |
Understanding the Chinese Zodiac Calendar
The Chinese zodiac system is based on the lunisolar calendar that combines both the lunar and the solar calendars. The lunar calendar is based on the moon’s 29.53-day cycle, so it has only 354 days a year. To make up for the missing 11 days and to align with the solar calendar, a 13th month is added. Because of this, Chinese festivals like New Year, Lantern Festival etc do not always fall on the same date.
Each Zodiac New Year begins on the Chinese New Year, which occurs between January 21 and February 20, starting on the new moon. The zodiac animal for a particular year is determined by the animal cycle that is in effect at the start of the Chinese New Year.
The zodiac system follows a 12-year cycle, with each year being represented by a specific animal. Apart from the zodiac animals, each year is also linked to the Five Elements (with Yin–Yang balance). Together, this structure creates a 60-year cycle known as the sexagenarian cycle, with each animal–element pairing recurring every six decades.1
Chinese Zodiac Order and Its Significance
A long time ago, the Jade Emperor--the supreme ruler of Heaven, announced a great race on his birthday. The first 12 animals to cross a raging river would earn a name in the Chinese Zodiac.
The clever Rat outwitted the Ox, jumped on its back and raced ahead to earn first place. Ox's good nature left him open to Rat's trickery.
This legend reflects many of the traits people born under each Chinese zodiac sign embody.
- Soon after, the powerful Tiger battled the strong currents with immense courage and bravery and earned the third position in the Chinese zodiac calendar.
- The nimble Rabbit hopped from stone to stone and a floating log to earn fourth place. Next in line was the Dragon, who arrived late as he had stopped on his way to help a drought-stricken village.
- Next, the horse thundered into the emperor’s sight, unaware that the Snake had wrapped itself around its leg. At the last moment, the Snake slithered out and emerged sixth, leaving the Horse in seventh position in the zodiac signs.
- The Sheep, Monkey and Rooster worked together to get across the river and were rewarded in that order in the Chinese zodiac year calendar.
- The Dog appeared later, crossing the river leisurely and finally came the Pig, who had stopped along the way to eat and rest, thus completing the Chinese zodiac order.
And so, in this manner, the order of the animals was set, with the cycle getting repeated every twelve years. The 12 zodiac signs are remembered not just for their place in the Chinese zodiac but for the unique way they ran the race, influenced by their own personality traits and character, and helping people determine what is my Chinese zodiac sign.2
The Jade Emperor's Decision
The Jade Emperor, ruler of Heaven, sends word that the first twelve animals that reach his palace will earn a place in the zodiac and symbolise the cycle of years.
The Great Race
The race begins where the animals must cross a river to reach the palace.
Rat and Ox
Rat rides on Ox’s back and jumps ahead to reach the Jade Emperor first.
Tiger and Rabbit
Tiger crosses the river courageously. Rabbit hops across on stones and logs.
Dragon
Because the dragon is kind and gentle, he stops to help a drought-stricken villager and therefore arrives late.
Horse and Snake
The Snake and the Horse arrive together, with the Snake doing so through trickery.
Goat, Monkey, Rooster
All three arrive together in a spirit of cooperation. This greatly pleased the Jade Emperor.
Dog and Pig
The Dog stops to play in the river, while the Pig eats and rests along the way, ultimately arriving last in the race.
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs and Their Meanings
The Rat - (鼠 shǔ)
Rat years
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Rat Relations
Best with Dragon, Monkey, Ox
Fine with Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Rooster, Dog, Pig
Bad with Horse; Avoid Sheep
The Rat Personality
- Rats are quick-witted, versatile, and thrive well in action-oriented situations.
- Rats tend to be very optimistic and outgoing, and build connections easily, allowing them to fit into all social circles.
- They are deeply loving nature and are extremely loyal to their family and friends.
- They also have a good understanding of human nature and are quite intuitive.
- They possess a lot of inner resilience and remain undeterred in the face of challenges.
- However, their competitive nature makes them appear highly competitive.
Self-centredness is one of Rat's most dominant negative traits. Rats can also be stubborn and picky, and may be a bit shy. At their worst, Rats may lack persistence, leaving hard tasks undone.
The Ox - (牛 niú)
Ox years
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Ox relations
Best with Snake, Rooster, Rat
Fine with Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Monkey, Dog, Pig
Bad with Sheep; Avoid Horse
The Ox Personality
- Ox is calm and persistent, hard-working and honest. People born in Ox years are strong-willed, yet tolerant.
- They can endure hardships to achieve their goals.
- They are steady, making them dependable friends.
- Being associated with the Earth element, they are grounded in nature.
On the downside, Ox can be stubborn and clumsy, especially with words. The overcautious Ox may also be unsociable, at times.
Many who ask this question look at these traits and wish to be a different animal.
Keep in mind that all Chinese zodiac meanings have ups and downsides.
The Tiger - (虎 hǔ)
Tiger years
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Tiger relations
Best with Horse, Dog, Pig;
Fine with Rat, Ox, Rabbit, Dragon, Sheep, Rooster
Bad with Monkey; Avoid Snake
The Tiger Personality
- Tigers are confident and brave, loyal and trustworthy. It would be hard to find a dishonest Tiger, or one that's not steadfast.
- Tigers are born leaders and are extremely charismatic.
- They also have a strong sense of justice.
- Still, Tigers are bossy and often act rashly. They can also be short-tempered and are typically arrogant.
The Rabbit - (兔 tù)
Rabbit years
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Rabbit relations
Best with Sheep, Dog, Pig
Fine with Rat, Ox, Tiger, Snake, Horse, Monkey
Bad with Rooster; Avoid Dragon
The Rabbit Personality
- If you've ever wondered "What Chinese zodiac am I?", be happy if our calculator shows you're a rabbit. Rabbits are gentle and considerate, friendly and compassionate.
- They also have a keen sense of intuition and can easily spot subtle cues.
- They pay a lot of attention to detail, stay calm, and are mentally strong, which allows them to shine in the role of diplomats and mediators.
- On the downside, Rabbits find it hard to make decisions. They can also be stubborn, especially when it comes to matters of principle.
The Dragon - (龙 lóng)
Dragon years
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Dragon relations
Best with Rat, Monkey, Rooster
Fine with Ox, Tiger, Horse, Sheep, Pig
Bad with Dog; Avoid Rabbit
The Dragon Personality
- Dragon's Chinese zodiac personality is confident and ambitious, energetic and intelligent. Dragons are generous and honest in all their dealings.
- They are creative in nature and don’t shy away from taking risks.
- With a commanding presence, they inspire enthusiasm and stand out as natural-born leaders.
- However, these strengths can sometimes turn out to be their weaknesses. They may be conceited and unrealistic, demanding and unstable, at times.
- Dragons also suffer from a lack of persistence, and they can be intolerant, at times.
The Snake - (蛇 shé)
Snake years
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Snake relations
Best with Ox, Monkey, Rooster
Fine with Rat, Dragon, Rabbit, Horse, Sheep, Dog
Bad with Pig; Avoid Tiger
The Snake Personality
- Snakes are graceful, wise, and good at speaking.
- Snakes are also perceptive and funny, and are quite sociable.
- However, snakes can be very determined and more than a touch jealous.
- They have a suspicious nature and can be sly and untrustworthy.
The Horse - (马 mǎ)
Horse years
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
Horse relations
Best with Tiger, Sheep, Dog
Fine with Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Monkey, Rooster
Bad with Rat; Avoid Ox
The Horse Personality
- Horses are patient and warm-hearted and are known for their independent spirit and easygoing nature.
- They have a steady temperament and an upright demeanour.
- While these qualities make the Horse the luckiest Chinese zodiac sign, this majestic creature has its shortcomings. Vanity and extravagance are two of them.
- Horses can also be opinionated, outspoken, and inflexible in their views.
The Chinese New Year animal for 2026 is the Horse. To greet people, you can say "Mǎ Nián Dà Jí" (马年大吉 - Great luck in the Year of the Horse) or "Mǎ Dào Chéng Gōng" (马到成功 - Instant Success).
The Sheep - (羊 yáng)
Sheep years
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
Sheep relations
Best with Rabbit, Horse, Pig
Fine with Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Monkey, Rooster, Dog
Bad with Ox; Avoid Rat
Several cultures follow this zodiac system, but each has its own variations.
In China, Sheep (Ewe or Ram) prevail, but in Vietnam, the goat is the eighth animal.
The Sheep Personality
- Ewes are kind-hearted and considerate, and are known to be reliable and thrifty.
- They offer quiet strength to people.
- However, Rams can be indecisive and weak-willed.
- They are often moody and pessimistic, and too timid to stand up for themselves.
The Monkey - (猴 hóu)
Monkey years
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
Monkey relations
Best with Rat, Dragon, Snake
Fine with Ox, Rabbit, Horse, Sheep, Rooster
Bad with Tiger; Avoid Pig
The Monkey Personality
- Monkeys are intelligent and self-assured, bursting with enthusiasm and innovative ideas.
- Monkeys are eloquent.
- But Monkeys tend to be arrogant and jealous.
- They are impatient and opportunistic.
- They also lack the perseverance to see anything through.
The Rooster - (鸡 jī)
Rooster years
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Rooster relations
Best with Ox, Dragon, Snake
Fine with Rat, Tiger, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Pig
Bad with Rabbit; Avoid Dog
The Rooster Personality
- Roosters are ambitious, capable, quick-witted and confident.
- The outgoing Rooster has great foresight and is fiercely independent.
- For all that, Roosters can be remarkably narrow-minded and selfish.
- They tend to be critical and impatient, and often sabotage their own success through their overconfidence.
The Dog - (狗 gǒu)
Dog years
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
Dog relations
Best with Tiger, Rabbit, Horse
Fine with Rat, Ox, Snake, Sheep, Monkey, Pig
Bad with Dragon; Avoid Rooster
The Dog Personality
- Much like the four-legged friends we know today, zodiac Dogs are loyal, reliable, righteous, and quick-witted.
- Brave Dogs are also clever and responsible, and people you can rely on.
- But they are not without flaws. They are emotional and stubborn.
- Zodiac Dogs can be impatient and conservative in their views.
The Pig - (猪 zhū)
Pig years
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
Pig relations
Best with Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep
Fine with Rat, Ox, Dragon, Horse, Dog
Bad with Snake; Avoid Monkey
The Pig Personality
- Pigs are warm-hearted and sincere.
- Pigs are generous to a fault and often too honest for their own good.
- Ever optimistic, you can count on Pig friends to deliver daily doses of optimism.
- Still, the pig has its flaws. The Chinese zodiac often sees the Pig as slow-witted and sleepy.
- The gullible Pig is often jealous and loses its temper when others get the best of them.
Chinese Zodiac Years and Their Impact
Recent and Upcoming Chinese Zodiac Years
The Chinese zodiac animals are often used to interpret the years and understand how they guide people in decision-making. Here is a look at recent years and their Chinese zodiac animals.
| Year | Chinese Zodiac Sign |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Dog |
| 2019 | Pig |
| 2020 | Rat |
| 2021 | Ox |
| 2022 | Tiger |
| 2023 | Rabbit |
| 2024 | Dragon |
| 2025 | Snake |
| 2026 | Horse |
| 2027 | Goat |
| 2028 | Monkey |
| 2029 | Rooster |
| 2030 | Dog |
Beginning February 17, 2026, to early February 2027, we enter the Year of the Fire Horse. This is especially remarkable as the Fire Horse year appears just once every 60 years, making it a rare occurrence. The Horse stands for freedom, independence and movement, while Fire stands for passion and energy. Together, it is a powerful combination that heralds getting out of your comfort zone and embracing new opportunities.
Fire brings intensity, urgency, and passion, which can feel motivating but also demanding. This combination often creates a faster pace of life and a stronger drive to achieve.
Ada Ooi, founder of 001 London to Vogue
How Zodiac Years Influence Personality and Destiny
In Chinese astrology, it is believed that zodiac sign dates have a deep impact on their personality and behaviour. Each of the 12 zodiac animals is associated with specific qualities that are thought to influence an individual’s destiny.
For example, people born in the Year of the Rat are often described as clever and adaptable, while Ox zodiac signs are considered to be hardworking and disciplined. In addition, zodiac signs also influence relationships, career choices and even health, which is why many people consult their zodiac sign when making important life decisions.
The zodiac signs are usually divided into groups based on compatibility. While some zodiac signs are most compatible, others are considered unfavourable. Among these groupings, the Three Harmonies group of zodiac signs are considered the most compatible.
Examples are:
- Dragon, Rat, and Monkey
- Rooster, Ox, and Snake
The Six Harmonies are six pairs of zodiac animals that are mutually compatible. Example
- Pig and Tiger
- Rabbit and Dog
In contrast, the Six Conflicts are pairings that are direct opposites and spaced six years apart.
- Rat and Horse
- Ox and Goat
The Six Damages, on the other hand, are the most incompatible matches. They are:
- Goat and Rat
- Horse and Ox
Chinese Zodiac vs. Western Astrology
Both Chinese and Western astrology hold that planetary forces shape the moment of birth and influence a person’s life, and both systems use twelve zodiac signs, yet they differ greatly in structure and interpretation.3
Western astrology, rooted in ancient Babylon, divides the solar year into twelve monthly signs based on the sun’s position, using four elements—Fire, Earth, Air, and Water—to describe personality traits and life themes.
In contrast, Chinese astrology follows twelve-year lunar cycles, assigning one of twelve animals to each birth year. However, the birth-year animal represents only a small part of the system, as the full Chinese astrological chart is the Bazi, or “Four Pillars of Destiny,” which analyses the year, month, day, and hour of birth together.
Lunar (Chinese) Astrology vs. Solar (Western) Astrology
Western Astrology
- Originated in ancient Babylon
- Based on the solar calendar
- The Zodiac cycle follows 12 months
- Uses Four Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water
- Each year is represented by constellation symbols
Chinese Astrology
- Originated in ancient China
- Based on the lunisolar calendar
- The Zodiac cycle follows 12 years
- Uses Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
- Each year corresponds to one of the twelve animal signs
If you only need to remember four key points before shining in society (or in Chinese class):
🌙 It's a matter of years (and the Moon): unlike the Western solar system, which changes signs every month, the Chinese zodiac governs an entire lunar year.
🔥 Don't overlook the elements: Being a “Dragon” is not enough. Are you Wood, Fire, or Metal? The element significantly influences your character.
🕰️ Time counts double: Your “true” animal self is hidden in your hour of birth (the hour pillar in Bazi).
🧭 A compass, not a prison: The purpose of the zodiac is not to suffer your fate (Ming), but to use this information to better navigate the cycles of luck (Yun).
References
- The origins and peculiarities of zodiac signs in the ancient Chinese tradition. Available at https://journals.rudn.ru/semiotics-semantics/article/view/29894. Accessed on January 20, 2026
- A study on the Chinese zodiac animals. Available at https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/ijeh/article/view/12236. Accessed on January 20, 2026
- A thesis on the background of zodiac culture in China. Available at https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2023/11/shsconf_adcs2023_01016.pdf. Accessed on January 20, 2026
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