Chinese zodiac: the 12 animals and their years
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The Chinese zodiac gives each year one of 12 animals, in a fixed order that repeats every 12 years. Each year also has one of five elements, so the full cycle runs for 60 years. The animal year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, which matters if you were born in January or February.
The 12 animals and their years
Find your birth year in the table. If you were born before Lunar New Year in that year, you belong to the previous animal.
| Animal | Years (from Lunar New Year) | Traits in folklore |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rat | 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 | quick-witted, resourceful, sociable |
| 2. Ox | 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 | patient, steady, hard-working |
| 3. Tiger | 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 | brave, confident, lively |
| 4. Rabbit | 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 | gentle, elegant, careful |
| 5. Dragon | 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 | energetic, ambitious, lucky in lore |
| 6. Snake | 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | wise, calm, private |
| 7. Horse | 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | free-spirited, active, warm |
| 8. Goat | 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | kind, artistic, calm |
| 9. Monkey | 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | clever, playful, curious |
| 10. Rooster | 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | honest, observant, proud |
| 11. Dog | 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | loyal, fair, protective |
| 12. Pig | 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 | generous, easy-going, honest |
Lunar New Year dates
Lunar New Year falls on the new Moon between 21 January and 20 February, counted in China's time zone. We work out the new Moon from our own Sun and Moon positions, so the dates below are computed, not copied.
| Year | Lunar New Year (China time) | Year of the |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 25 January 2020 | Metal Rat |
| 2021 | 12 February 2021 | Metal Ox |
| 2022 | 1 February 2022 | Water Tiger |
| 2023 | 22 January 2023 | Water Rabbit |
| 2024 | 10 February 2024 | Wood Dragon |
| 2025 | 29 January 2025 | Wood Snake |
| 2026 | 17 February 2026 | Fire Horse |
| 2027 | 6 February 2027 | Fire Goat |
| 2028 | 26 January 2028 | Earth Monkey |
| 2029 | 13 February 2029 | Earth Rooster |
| 2030 | 3 February 2030 | Metal Dog |
| 2031 | 23 January 2031 | Metal Pig |
The five elements
Each year also has an element: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water. Each element lasts two years in a row, so the elements cycle every ten years. 2026 is a Fire Horse year. Combined with the 12 animals, the cycle repeats every 60 years.
How it differs from Western astrology
The Chinese zodiac is based on years and the lunar calendar, while Western astrology is based on where the Sun is during the year. The two are separate systems, so a Leo can be a Rat, a Dragon or any other animal.
Frequently asked questions
What Chinese zodiac animal is 2026?
2026 is the year of the Horse, a Fire Horse year. It runs from Lunar New Year on 17 February 2026 to 5 February 2027.
What is the order of the Chinese zodiac animals?
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Why does my Chinese zodiac sign not match my birth year?
The animal year starts at Lunar New Year, between 21 January and 20 February. If you were born before that date, your animal is the one for the previous year.
Is the Goat the same as the Sheep or Ram?
Yes. The eighth animal is translated as Goat, Sheep or Ram. They all refer to the same Chinese sign.
For reflection and fun, not fate. We explain astrology as a tradition and a tool for reflection. It has not been shown to predict events.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org - Chinese zodiac
- britannica.com - Chinese calendar
- en.wikipedia.org - Chinese New Year