What Is My Chinese Zodiac Sign? (Find Yours by Birth Year)

What Is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle of animals, each said to shape the character and fortunes of people born in its year. Unlike Western signs based on months, the Chinese zodiac changes at the Chinese Lunar New Year, so your sign depends on the exact year — and sometimes even the exact day — you were born.

Chinese Zodiac Signs by Birth Year

Here is the classic correspondence (the New Year boundary can shift the first ~6 weeks, so check carefully):

• Rat (鼠) — 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972. Quick, resourceful, observant.
• Ox (牛) — 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973. Dependable, patient, methodical.
• Tiger (虎) — 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974. Bold, confident, magnetic.
• Rabbit (兔) — 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975. Gentle, diplomatic, artistic.
• Dragon (龙) — 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976. Ambitious, charismatic, idealistic.
• Snake (蛇) — 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977. Wise, enigmatic, intuitive.
• Horse (马) — 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978. Energetic, independent, sociable.
• Goat (羊) — 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979. Creative, gentle, compassionate.
• Monkey (猴) — 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980. Clever, playful, inventive.
• Rooster (鸡) — 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981. Perceptive, confident, hardworking.
• Dog (狗) — 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982. Loyal, honest, protective.
• Pig (猪) — 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983. Sincere, generous, easygoing.

The Zodiac Is Only One of Four Pillars

Here's the secret most casual sites never tell you: your zodiac animal is just the Year Pillar — one of four pillars in BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny). A complete reading also maps your month, day, and hour, revealing far more than the animal alone.

Most importantly, your Day Master (the element of your birth day) is the true core of who you are. Two people born the same zodiac year can have completely different dominant elements — and very different life rhythms.

Zodiac Compatibility: Which Signs Get Along?

Traditional Chinese astrology pairs some animals harmoniously (Rat-Ox, Tiger-Pig, Rabbit-Dog, Dragon-Rooster, Snake-Monkey, Horse-Goat) while others clash (Rat-Horse, Ox-Goat, Tiger-Monkey, Rabbit-Rooster, Dragon-Dog, Snake-Pig). These "conflicts" are a starting point — but real compatibility runs far deeper through the Five Elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my zodiac animal the same as my element?

Not exactly. The zodiac is your year's animal; your element(s) come from all four pillars. To see your true elemental balance, you need a full chart — calculate yours free here.

Do I use lunar or solar new year?

Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar. If you were born in January or early February, your sign may differ from the Western-year assumption — a proper calculator handles this automatically using solar terms.

Want your animal and your full Four Pillars? Get your free BaZi reading →