The Chinese zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, consists of 12 zodiac animals in a specific order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, it holds significant cultural importance in China. Not only does it mark the passage of time, but it’s also believed to influence various aspects of life, including personality traits, career choices, compatibility in love, and even one’s fortune.
The Chinese zodiac operates on a cycle where each year is associated with a particular zodiac animal. 2023, for example, is the Year of the Rabbit, specifically the Year of the Water Rabbit, commencing on January 22, 2023, and concluding on February 9, 2024. Following this, 2024 ushers in the Year of the Dragon, which runs from February 10, 2024, to January 29, 2025.
Chinese people firmly believe that an individual’s horoscope, personality traits, and compatibility in love are closely intertwined with their Chinese zodiac sign, which is determined by their birth year. So, as each new year arrives, people eagerly anticipate the unique characteristics and qualities associated with their zodiac animal.
Discover Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Have you ever wondered about your Chinese zodiac animal sign? It’s determined by your birth year, but there’s a twist – it follows the Chinese lunar calendar, not the typical Gregorian calendar from January 1st to December 31st.
The Chinese Lunar New Year, falling in either January or February, sets the stage for this unique system. If your birthday falls between March and December, identifying your zodiac sign is straightforward. However, for those born in January or February, things get a bit more complex.
To help you find your Chinese zodiac sign accurately, you can utilize our handy zodiac calculator. Simply input your Gregorian birthdate, and it will reveal your lunar birthdate, along with your corresponding zodiac sign.
Below, we’ve listed the 12 zodiac animals in their order, complete with recent years to pinpoint your birth year and zodiac sign:
- Rat (鼠 shǔ): 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
- Ox (牛 niú): 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
- Tiger (虎 hǔ): 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
- Rabbit (兔 tù): 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
- Dragon (龙 lóng): 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
- Snake (蛇 shé): 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
- Horse (马 mǎ): 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
- Sheep (羊 yáng): 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
- Monkey (猴 hóu): 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
- Rooster (鸡 jī): 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
- Dog (狗 gǒu): 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
- Pig (猪 zhū): 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Each Chinese zodiac year corresponds to a specific animal, making it easy to identify your sign. For instance, if you were born in 1991, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Goat, and you are known as a “Goat.”
The start date of a zodiac year varies in Chinese astrology, with two schools of thought: Chinese New Year and the Start of Spring. While the Chinese New Year usually falls between January 21st and February 20th, the Start of Spring begins on February 3rd or 4th. Most people use Chinese New Year to mark the start of the zodiac year, but traditionalists and professional astrologers opt for the first solar term.
So, if you were born in January or February in 1997, you might be an Ox or a Rat, depending on the specific date. Explore more about the fascinating world of Chinese zodiac years!