Chinese zodiac
Twelve animals, five elements, one 60-year cycle. Find your animal, then read the year you were born in.
The Chinese zodiac gives every year an animal. Your animal comes from the year you were born, and a second layer, the element, comes with it. Twelve animals times five elements is 60 combinations, so a full cycle takes 60 years.
Not sure which animal is yours? The Chinese zodiac calculator takes your birth date and answers in a second. Born in January or February? Check it, because the Chinese year does not start on 1 January.
Right now it is the Fire Horse year (from February 17, 2026). Next comes the Fire Goat year: read Chinese zodiac 2027.
01 · ANIMALS
The 12 animals, in order
The Rat comes first and the Pig comes last. Each animal has its own guide with every year, the five kinds of that animal, and who it pairs with.
01 of 12
Rat Chinese zodiac
Quick and clever. You spot an opening before anyone else does.
Recent years: 2020, 2008, 1996
02 of 12
Ox Chinese zodiac
Steady and stubborn. You finish what you start, slowly and well.
Recent years: 2021, 2009, 1997
03 of 12
Tiger Chinese zodiac
Bold and restless. You like a challenge more than a plan.
Recent years: 2022, 2010, 1998
04 of 12
Rabbit Chinese zodiac
Gentle and watchful. You read a room before you speak.
Recent years: 2023, 2011, 1999
05 of 12
Dragon Chinese zodiac
Big and confident. You like to lead and you hate being ignored.
Recent years: 2024, 2012, 2000
06 of 12
Snake Chinese zodiac
Calm and private. You think a lot and say very little.
Recent years: 2025, 2013, 2001
07 of 12
Horse Chinese zodiac
Free and fast. You need space, and you move when you are ready.
Recent years: 2026, 2014, 2002
08 of 12
Goat Chinese zodiac
Kind and creative. You like beauty, quiet, and gentle people.
Recent years: 2015, 2003, 1991
09 of 12
Monkey Chinese zodiac
Curious and quick. You solve problems by trying a new angle.
Recent years: 2016, 2004, 1992
10 of 12
Rooster Chinese zodiac
Sharp and proud. You notice details and like things done right.
Recent years: 2017, 2005, 1993
11 of 12
Dog Chinese zodiac
Loyal and honest. You stand up for the people you care about.
Recent years: 2018, 2006, 1994
12 of 12
Pig Chinese zodiac
Warm and generous. You enjoy good company and good food.
Recent years: 2019, 2007, 1995
02 · ELEMENTS
The 5 elements sit on top of the animal
Each year also has one element: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire or Earth. It follows the last digit of the year, two years at a time. So a Metal Horse and a Fire Horse are the same animal with a different feel.
| Element | Year ends in | In the 2020s |
|---|---|---|
| MetalMetal is sharp, exact, and hard to bend. | 0 or 1 | 2020, 2021 |
| WaterWater is deep and flexible. It finds a way around. | 2 or 3 | 2022, 2023 |
| WoodWood grows. It is generous and always reaching for more. | 4 or 5 | 2024, 2025 |
| FireFire is bright and fast. It is hard to ignore. | 6 or 7 | 2026, 2027 |
| EarthEarth is steady and practical. It holds things together. | 8 or 9 | 2028, 2029 |
03 · THE CYCLE
Why the year changes at Chinese New Year
The Chinese year starts at Chinese New Year, not on 1 January. From January 21 to February 20, depending on the year. If your birthday comes before it, you belong to the animal of the year before.
The same animal returns every 12 years. The same animal with the same element returns every 60 years: Wood Rat years are 1924, 1984 and 2044. Every year below has its own page with its exact Chinese New Year date.
Want the exact answer for your birthday? Use the Chinese zodiac calculator.
04 · THE WHEEL
Which animals pair well, and which clash
Tradition reads two animals through their place on the wheel. Read it as something to think with, not a verdict on two people.
Triple harmony: the strongest match
Clash: opposite on the wheel
Your sign is where it starts
Your Annual Report
A Fire Horse year is shared by a lot of people, and no two of them live it the same way. Your Annual Report reads your Five Elements and Western chart together, then draws your year as one curve. You can see the months that carry you forward, the ones that ask you to slow down, and how the year builds from January to December.
05 · EVERY YEAR
Chinese zodiac for every year, 1924 to 2030
Pick your birth year. Each page shows who is which animal that year, the Chinese New Year date, the element, and what 2026 and 2027 mean.
1920s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 Chinese zodiac | Wood Rat | February 5, 1924 |
| 1925 Chinese zodiac | Wood Ox | January 24, 1925 |
| 1926 Chinese zodiac | Fire Tiger | February 13, 1926 |
| 1927 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rabbit | February 2, 1927 |
| 1928 Chinese zodiac | Earth Dragon | January 23, 1928 |
| 1929 Chinese zodiac | Earth Snake | February 10, 1929 |
1930s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 Chinese zodiac | Metal Horse | January 30, 1930 |
| 1931 Chinese zodiac | Metal Goat | February 17, 1931 |
| 1932 Chinese zodiac | Water Monkey | February 6, 1932 |
| 1933 Chinese zodiac | Water Rooster | January 26, 1933 |
| 1934 Chinese zodiac | Wood Dog | February 14, 1934 |
| 1935 Chinese zodiac | Wood Pig | February 4, 1935 |
| 1936 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rat | January 24, 1936 |
| 1937 Chinese zodiac | Fire Ox | February 11, 1937 |
| 1938 Chinese zodiac | Earth Tiger | January 31, 1938 |
| 1939 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rabbit | February 19, 1939 |
1940s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 Chinese zodiac | Metal Dragon | February 8, 1940 |
| 1941 Chinese zodiac | Metal Snake | January 27, 1941 |
| 1942 Chinese zodiac | Water Horse | February 15, 1942 |
| 1943 Chinese zodiac | Water Goat | February 5, 1943 |
| 1944 Chinese zodiac | Wood Monkey | January 25, 1944 |
| 1945 Chinese zodiac | Wood Rooster | February 13, 1945 |
| 1946 Chinese zodiac | Fire Dog | February 2, 1946 |
| 1947 Chinese zodiac | Fire Pig | January 22, 1947 |
| 1948 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rat | February 10, 1948 |
| 1949 Chinese zodiac | Earth Ox | January 29, 1949 |
1950s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 Chinese zodiac | Metal Tiger | February 17, 1950 |
| 1951 Chinese zodiac | Metal Rabbit | February 6, 1951 |
| 1952 Chinese zodiac | Water Dragon | January 27, 1952 |
| 1953 Chinese zodiac | Water Snake | February 14, 1953 |
| 1954 Chinese zodiac | Wood Horse | February 3, 1954 |
| 1955 Chinese zodiac | Wood Goat | January 24, 1955 |
| 1956 Chinese zodiac | Fire Monkey | February 12, 1956 |
| 1957 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rooster | January 31, 1957 |
| 1958 Chinese zodiac | Earth Dog | February 18, 1958 |
| 1959 Chinese zodiac | Earth Pig | February 8, 1959 |
1960s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 Chinese zodiac | Metal Rat | January 28, 1960 |
| 1961 Chinese zodiac | Metal Ox | February 15, 1961 |
| 1962 Chinese zodiac | Water Tiger | February 5, 1962 |
| 1963 Chinese zodiac | Water Rabbit | January 25, 1963 |
| 1964 Chinese zodiac | Wood Dragon | February 13, 1964 |
| 1965 Chinese zodiac | Wood Snake | February 2, 1965 |
| 1966 Chinese zodiac | Fire Horse | January 21, 1966 |
| 1967 Chinese zodiac | Fire Goat | February 9, 1967 |
| 1968 Chinese zodiac | Earth Monkey | January 30, 1968 |
| 1969 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rooster | February 17, 1969 |
1970s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 Chinese zodiac | Metal Dog | February 6, 1970 |
| 1971 Chinese zodiac | Metal Pig | January 27, 1971 |
| 1972 Chinese zodiac | Water Rat | February 15, 1972 |
| 1973 Chinese zodiac | Water Ox | February 3, 1973 |
| 1974 Chinese zodiac | Wood Tiger | January 23, 1974 |
| 1975 Chinese zodiac | Wood Rabbit | February 11, 1975 |
| 1976 Chinese zodiac | Fire Dragon | January 31, 1976 |
| 1977 Chinese zodiac | Fire Snake | February 18, 1977 |
| 1978 Chinese zodiac | Earth Horse | February 7, 1978 |
| 1979 Chinese zodiac | Earth Goat | January 28, 1979 |
1980s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 Chinese zodiac | Metal Monkey | February 16, 1980 |
| 1981 Chinese zodiac | Metal Rooster | February 5, 1981 |
| 1982 Chinese zodiac | Water Dog | January 25, 1982 |
| 1983 Chinese zodiac | Water Pig | February 13, 1983 |
| 1984 Chinese zodiac | Wood Rat | February 2, 1984 |
| 1985 Chinese zodiac | Wood Ox | February 20, 1985 |
| 1986 Chinese zodiac | Fire Tiger | February 9, 1986 |
| 1987 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rabbit | January 29, 1987 |
| 1988 Chinese zodiac | Earth Dragon | February 17, 1988 |
| 1989 Chinese zodiac | Earth Snake | February 6, 1989 |
1990s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 Chinese zodiac | Metal Horse | January 27, 1990 |
| 1991 Chinese zodiac | Metal Goat | February 15, 1991 |
| 1992 Chinese zodiac | Water Monkey | February 4, 1992 |
| 1993 Chinese zodiac | Water Rooster | January 23, 1993 |
| 1994 Chinese zodiac | Wood Dog | February 10, 1994 |
| 1995 Chinese zodiac | Wood Pig | January 31, 1995 |
| 1996 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rat | February 19, 1996 |
| 1997 Chinese zodiac | Fire Ox | February 7, 1997 |
| 1998 Chinese zodiac | Earth Tiger | January 28, 1998 |
| 1999 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rabbit | February 16, 1999 |
2000s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Chinese zodiac | Metal Dragon | February 5, 2000 |
| 2001 Chinese zodiac | Metal Snake | January 24, 2001 |
| 2002 Chinese zodiac | Water Horse | February 12, 2002 |
| 2003 Chinese zodiac | Water Goat | February 1, 2003 |
| 2004 Chinese zodiac | Wood Monkey | January 22, 2004 |
| 2005 Chinese zodiac | Wood Rooster | February 9, 2005 |
| 2006 Chinese zodiac | Fire Dog | January 29, 2006 |
| 2007 Chinese zodiac | Fire Pig | February 18, 2007 |
| 2008 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rat | February 7, 2008 |
| 2009 Chinese zodiac | Earth Ox | January 26, 2009 |
2010s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Chinese zodiac | Metal Tiger | February 14, 2010 |
| 2011 Chinese zodiac | Metal Rabbit | February 3, 2011 |
| 2012 Chinese zodiac | Water Dragon | January 23, 2012 |
| 2013 Chinese zodiac | Water Snake | February 10, 2013 |
| 2014 Chinese zodiac | Wood Horse | January 31, 2014 |
| 2015 Chinese zodiac | Wood Goat | February 19, 2015 |
| 2016 Chinese zodiac | Fire Monkey | February 8, 2016 |
| 2017 Chinese zodiac | Fire Rooster | January 28, 2017 |
| 2018 Chinese zodiac | Earth Dog | February 16, 2018 |
| 2019 Chinese zodiac | Earth Pig | February 5, 2019 |
2020s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chinese zodiac | Metal Rat | January 25, 2020 |
| 2021 Chinese zodiac | Metal Ox | February 12, 2021 |
| 2022 Chinese zodiac | Water Tiger | February 1, 2022 |
| 2023 Chinese zodiac | Water Rabbit | January 22, 2023 |
| 2024 Chinese zodiac | Wood Dragon | February 10, 2024 |
| 2025 Chinese zodiac | Wood Snake | January 29, 2025 |
| 2026 Chinese zodiac | Fire Horse | February 17, 2026 |
| 2027 Chinese zodiac | Fire Goat | February 6, 2027 |
| 2028 Chinese zodiac | Earth Monkey | January 26, 2028 |
| 2029 Chinese zodiac | Earth Rooster | February 13, 2029 |
2030s
| Year | Sign | Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 Chinese zodiac | Metal Dog | February 3, 2030 |
06 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which Chinese zodiac animals get along best?
The strongest traditional match is a triple harmony: three animals four places apart on the wheel. They are Rat, Dragon and Monkey; Ox, Snake and Rooster; Tiger, Horse and Dog; Rabbit, Goat and Pig. You want the same things and move at the same speed.
Which Chinese zodiac animals clash?
Animals six places apart sit opposite each other on the wheel: Rat and Horse; Ox and Goat; Tiger and Monkey; Rabbit and Rooster; Dragon and Dog; Snake and Pig. Strong pull and plenty of friction. Tradition reads a clash as friction, not as a ban.
What comes after the Year of the Horse?
The Goat. 2026 is a Fire Horse year that began on February 17, 2026. The Fire Goat year starts on February 6, 2027.
Is one Chinese zodiac animal luckier than the others?
No. Every animal has strengths and hard years. Tradition reads a sign through its element, the year, and its ties to the other animals, not as a rank.
Where does the Chinese zodiac come from?
It is one of the oldest ways people have kept time. The ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches were already counting days on Shang dynasty oracle bones more than 3,000 years ago. The earliest written pairings of the twelve branches with animals appear on bamboo slips from the Qin dynasty, over 2,200 years old. Stems and branches together make a 60-year cycle, and the twelve-animal wheel travelled across East Asia, where Vietnam swaps the Rabbit for a Cat. Legend gives it a story: the Jade Emperor called a great race, and the Rat won by riding on the Ox's back, which is why the Rat opens the wheel. It is a living tradition, read here as a mirror for reflection.
Updated November 2026
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