The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle that associates each year with an animal and its characteristics. The 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Rooted in traditional Chinese culture, this system is used to determine personality traits, compatibility in relationships, and even one’s fortune for the year.
Each animal sign repeats every 12 years, with the cycle influenced by the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Each Chinese New Year begins on a different date between late January and mid-February, determined by the lunar calendar. Match your birth year with the corresponding animal to find your zodiac sign. However, if you were born in January or February, check the exact lunar new year date to confirm your sign.
Find Is Your Chinese Zodiac Sign: (1900-1999)(2000-2099)
Personality Traits of Each Chinese Zodiac Animal
1. Rat (鼠) – Smart and Resourceful
Birth Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
- Strengths: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted
- Weaknesses: Impulsive, timid
- Best Matches: Dragon, Monkey, Ox
2. Ox (牛) – Strong and Reliable
Birth Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
- Strengths: Hardworking, patient, determined
- Weaknesses: Stubborn, traditional
- Best Matches: Rat, Snake, Rooster
3. Tiger (虎) – Brave and Charismatic
Birth Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
- Strengths: Confident, courageous, passionate
- Weaknesses: Reckless, impatient
- Best Matches: Horse, Dog, Pig
4. Rabbit (兔) – Gentle and Kind
Birth Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
- Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, diplomatic
- Weaknesses: Overcautious, moody
- Best Matches: Goat, Pig, Dog
5. Dragon (龙) – Ambitious and Energetic
Birth Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
- Strengths: Confident, intelligent, charismatic
- Weaknesses: Arrogant, domineering
- Best Matches: Rooster, Rat, Monkey
6. Snake (蛇) – Mysterious and Wise
Birth Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
- Strengths: Intelligent, charming, intuitive
- Weaknesses: Suspicious, secretive
- Best Matches: Dragon, Rooster
7. Horse (马) – Adventurous and Lively
Birth Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
- Strengths: Independent, energetic, enthusiastic
- Weaknesses: Impatient, easily distracted
- Best Matches: Tiger, Goat, Dog
8. Goat (羊) – Peaceful and Artistic
Birth Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
- Strengths: Creative, kind, gentle
- Weaknesses: Indecisive, sensitive
- Best Matches: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
9. Monkey (猴) – Intelligent and Playful
Birth Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
- Strengths: Clever, curious, witty
- Weaknesses: Mischievous, unpredictable
- Best Matches: Rat, Dragon
10. Rooster (鸡) – Honest and Hardworking
Birth Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
- Strengths: Observant, resourceful, responsible
- Weaknesses: Perfectionist, outspoken
- Best Matches: Ox, Snake, Dragon
11. Dog (狗) – Loyal and Trustworthy
Birth Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
- Strengths: Honest, faithful, protective
- Weaknesses: Pessimistic, stubborn
- Best Matches: Rabbit, Tiger, Horse
12. Pig (猪) – Generous and Easygoing
Birth Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
- Strengths: Compassionate, generous, good-natured
- Weaknesses: Naïve, materialistic
- Best Matches: Rabbit, Goat, Tiger
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility
Some animal signs naturally complement each other, while others may face relationship challenges. Here are the best and worst matches for each zodiac sign:
- Best Matches: Rat & Dragon, Ox & Rooster, Tiger & Horse, Rabbit & Goat, Snake & Rooster
- Worst Matches: Rat & Horse, Ox & Goat, Tiger & Monkey, Rabbit & Rooster, Dragon & Dog
How to Use the Chinese Zodiac in Daily Life
Many people consult the Chinese zodiac for guidance in relationships, career choices, and even lucky days. Here’s how it can benefit you:
- Love & Marriage: Helps assess compatibility with a partner.
- Career Planning: Some signs are more suited to leadership roles, while others thrive in creative fields.
- Feng Shui & Fortune-Telling: Many use zodiac signs to align their surroundings with positive energy.
The Chinese zodiac offers fascinating insights into personality traits, compatibility, and life fortune. Whether you want to enhance your relationships or gain a deeper understanding of yourself, exploring your zodiac sign can provide valuable guidance.
The Five Elements and Their Characteristics
The Chinese Zodiac is not just about the 12 animal signs; it also incorporates the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—which add another layer of meaning to your zodiac sign. These elements cycle every two years and influence personality traits, relationships, and luck.
Each element brings unique characteristics that modify the traits of the zodiac sign it is paired with.
- Wood (木) – Growth & Creativity
- Strengths: Compassionate, flexible, idealistic, and creative
- Weaknesses: Indecisive, over-sensitive, can be too giving
- Years Ending in: 4, 5 (e.g., 1984, 1985, 1994, 1995)
- Fire (火) – Passion & Energy
- Strengths: Charismatic, bold, adventurous, enthusiastic
- Weaknesses: Impulsive, short-tempered, restless
- Years Ending in: 6, 7 (e.g., 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997)
- Earth (土) – Stability & Reliability
- Strengths: Practical, disciplined, responsible, patient
- Weaknesses: Stubborn, overly cautious, resistant to change
- Years Ending in: 8, 9 (e.g., 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999)
- Metal (金) – Strength & Determination
- Strengths: Ambitious, resilient, strong-willed, confident
- Weaknesses: Rigid, uncompromising, emotionally reserved
- Years Ending in: 0, 1 (e.g., 1990, 1991, 2000, 2001)
- Water (水) – Intelligence & Adaptability
- Strengths: Intuitive, diplomatic, imaginative, resourceful
- Weaknesses: Moody, secretive, can be manipulative
- Years Ending in: 2, 3 (e.g., 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003)
How Elements Affect the Chinese Zodiac
Each zodiac sign goes through a 60-year cycle, combining both the 12 animal signs and 5 elements (12 x 5 = 60). Your element + animal combination influences your personality, relationships, and fortune.
For example:
- A Fire Dragon (born in 1976 or 2036) is bold, passionate, and dynamic—more fiery than other Dragons.
- A Water Rabbit (born in 1963 or 2023) is gentle, intuitive, and adaptable, with a deep emotional intelligence.
Elemental Compatibility
Elements also affect compatibility in relationships:
- Best Matches:
- Wood & Water (Water nourishes Wood)
- Fire & Wood (Wood fuels Fire)
- Earth & Fire (Fire creates Earth/ash)
- Metal & Earth (Earth produces Metal)
- Water & Metal (Metal holds Water)
- Challenging Matches:
- Fire & Metal (Fire melts Metal)
- Water & Fire (Water extinguishes Fire)
- Earth & Water (Water erodes Earth)
- Metal & Wood (Metal chops Wood)
By understanding your Chinese zodiac sign + element, you can gain deeper insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and compatibility with others.
