What Is Your Chinese Zodiac Sign ?
The Chinese Zodiac, or Shēngxiào (生肖), is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year corresponding to an animal sign. The zodiac is rooted in Chinese astrology and folklore, and it plays an important role in understanding personality traits, compatibility in relationships, and general life guidance.
To determine your Chinese Zodiac sign, you simply need to know your birth year. Each animal sign comes around every 12 years, and the zodiac also incorporates the five Chinese elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which rotate every two years. Here’s a quick guide to the 12 animal signs and their corresponding years:
Chinese Zodiac Signs and Years
- Rat (鼠, Shǔ)
- Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
- Traits: Intelligent, resourceful, charming, and quick-witted
- Ox (牛, Niú)
- Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
- Traits: Reliable, patient, strong, and determined
- Tiger (虎, Hǔ)
- Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
- Traits: Courageous, competitive, confident, and unpredictable
- Rabbit (兔, Tù)
- Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
- Traits: Gentle, elegant, compassionate, and responsible
- Dragon (龙, Lóng)
- Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
- Traits: Ambitious, courageous, charismatic, and confident
- Snake (蛇, Shé)
- Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
- Traits: Wise, discreet, enigmatic, and intuitive
- Horse (马, Mǎ)
- Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
- Traits: Energetic, free-spirited, adventurous, and enthusiastic
- Goat (羊, Yáng)
- Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
- Traits: Gentle, empathetic, artistic, and calm
- Monkey (猴, Hóu)
- Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
- Traits: Clever, curious, mischievous, and sociable
- Rooster (鸡, Jī)
- Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
- Traits: Observant, hardworking, honest, and confident
- Dog (狗, Gǒu)
- Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
- Traits: Loyal, honest, protective, and kind
- Pig (猪, Zhū)
- Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
- Traits: Generous, compassionate, diligent, and trustworthy
How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
- Find your birth year and match it to one of the zodiac animals listed above.
- Note that the Chinese New Year usually begins between January 21 and February 20. If you were born in January or early February, check the specific start date of the Chinese New Year for your birth year to confirm your zodiac sign.
Example
- If you were born in 1990, your Chinese Zodiac sign is the Horse.
- If you were born on February 1, 2000, you would be a Rabbit since the Year of the Dragon began on February 5, 2000.
Chinese Zodiac Elements
Each zodiac sign is also associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. These elements rotate every two years and add another layer of meaning to your zodiac sign.
- Wood: Growth, vitality, and creativity
- Fire: Passion, energy, and dynamism
- Earth: Stability, reliability, and nurturing
- Metal: Strength, persistence, and determination
- Water: Intuition, adaptability, and emotional depth
Your element is determined by the year of your birth and influences your personality in conjunction with your animal sign.
Understanding Your Zodiac Sign’s Influence
Your Chinese Zodiac sign offers insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and ideal life path. It also plays a role in determining your compatibility with other signs. People often consult the zodiac to learn more about their relationships, career prospects, and life challenges.
Curious about your sign’s influence on your life? Reflect on the qualities of your zodiac animal and how they manifest in your personality and behavior.
