Chinese Zodiac Years Chart: Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
The Chinese zodiac is a traditional Chinese culture system based on a repeating 12-year cycle. Each Chinese lunar year is linked to an animal sign, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar calendar. Because Chinese New Year falls between January and February, people born in January or February may belong to the previous zodiac year.
Explore the complete Chinese zodiac years chart, zodiac animals, personality traits, lucky numbers, lucky flowers, and compatibility by birth year.
Chinese Zodiac Sign
Find your zodiac sign by birth year.
Chinese New Year Dates
View Chinese lunar year dates.
Personality Traits
Discover lucky numbers and meanings.
Zodiac Compatibility
Explore zodiac animal matches.
Chinese Zodiac Years Chart Tool
Use this Chinese Zodiac Years Chart Tool to search any birth year, browse all 12 Chinese zodiac animals, and check repeated zodiac years in the 12-year cycle. It helps you quickly find the correct animal sign by year and understand the basic traits linked to each zodiac sign.
Chinese Zodiac Years Chart 1900–2031
The Chinese zodiac is based on a repeating 12-year cycle in the Chinese lunar calendar. Each year is represented by an associated animal sign and connected to one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar used in most countries, the Chinese zodiac year begins on Chinese New Year, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20. People born in January or February should check the exact Chinese New Year date carefully.
Complete Chinese Zodiac Years Chart
| Zodiac Animal | Chinese Zodiac Years | Chinese New Year Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 | 28 1960 Feb · 19 1996 Feb |
| Ox | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 | 26 2009 Feb |
| Tiger | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 | 17 1950 Feb · 23 1974 Feb · 14 2010 Feb |
| Rabbit | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 | 29 1987 Jan |
| Dragon | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 | 27 1952 Feb · 13 1964 Feb · 17 1988 Feb · 23 2012 Feb |
| Snake | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | 29 2025 Jan |
| Horse | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | 21 1966 Feb · 27 1990 Feb · 31 2014 Jan · 17 2026 Feb |
| Goat | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | 28 1979 Jan |
| Monkey | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | 12 1956 Jan · 30 1968 Jan · 16 1980 Feb · 22 2004 Jan |
| Rooster | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | 31 1957 Jan · 17 1969 Feb · 23 1993 Jan · 13 2029 Feb |
| Dog | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | 29 2006 Jan |
| Pig | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 | 27 1971 Jan |
Why Chinese New Year Dates Matter
The Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar year rather than January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. If you were born in January or February, your zodiac sign may belong to the previous zodiac year because the zodiac cycle changes on Chinese New Year.
Explore the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
The Chinese zodiac operates on a repeating 12-year cycle, with each Chinese lunar year represented by an associated animal sign. In traditional Chinese culture, each zodiac animal has unique personality traits, lucky numbers, lucky flowers, and reputed attributes connected to the zodiac cycle.
Zodiac Grid
Year of the Rat
People born in the Year of the Rat are known for wisdom, loyalty, and generosity. Rat years include 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020.
Year of the Ox
The Ox zodiac sign represents diligence, responsibility, patience, and perseverance. Ox years include 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021.
Year of the Tiger
People born in the Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, energetic, and confident. Tiger years include 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022.
Year of the Rabbit
The Rabbit zodiac sign symbolizes kindness, elegance, peace, and good taste. Rabbit years include 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023.
Year of the Dragon
The Dragon is one of the most powerful Chinese zodiac animals, associated with leadership, luck, and success. Dragon years include 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and 2024.
Year of the Snake
People born in Snake years are intelligent, calm, wise, and intuitive. Snake years include 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025.
Year of the Horse
The Horse zodiac sign represents freedom, energy, confidence, and adventure. Horse years include 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026.
Year of the Goat
The Goat is linked to creativity, kindness, harmony, and artistic talent. Goat years include 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, and 2027.
Year of the Monkey
People born in Monkey years are clever, curious, humorous, and adaptable. Monkey years include 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, and 2028.
Year of the Rooster
The Rooster zodiac sign symbolizes confidence, honesty, organization, and ambition. Rooster years include 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029.
Year of the Dog
The Dog zodiac animal represents loyalty, honesty, protection, and responsibility. Dog years include 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030.
Year of the Pig
People born in Pig years are generous, sincere, friendly, and optimistic. Pig years include 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2031.
The Legend of the Jade Emperor
According to Chinese mythology, the order of the twelve zodiac animals was decided by a legendary race organized by the Jade Emperor. This story became the foundation of the Chinese zodiac cycle still used in Chinese culture today.
Chinese Zodiac Personality Traits and Five Elements
The Chinese zodiac combines a 12-year cycle with the five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — to create a larger 60-year cycle in Chinese astrology. Each zodiac sign carries different personality traits, reputed attributes, lucky numbers, lucky flowers, and symbolic meanings in traditional Chinese culture.
The Five Elements in the Chinese Zodiac
| Element | Meaning in Chinese Astrology |
|---|---|
| Wood | Growth, creativity, kindness |
| Fire | Passion, leadership, confidence |
| Earth | Stability, honesty, responsibility |
| Metal | Strength, determination, discipline |
| Water | Wisdom, flexibility, intuition |
How the 60-Year Zodiac Cycle Works
The Chinese zodiac operates on a repeating twelve year cycle, while the five elements rotate separately. Together, they form a complete 60-year zodiac cycle used in the traditional Chinese calendar and Chinese lunar astrology.
For example:
Wood Dragon
Fire Tiger
Earth Snake
Metal Rat
Water Rabbit
Because of this system, people born under the same zodiac animal may still have different personality traits and reputed attributes depending on their element.
Chinese Zodiac Personality Traits
Rat
Wise, loyal, adaptable, and generous.
Ox
Responsible, hardworking, patient, and dependable.
Tiger
Brave, competitive, charismatic, and energetic.
Rabbit
Elegant, gentle, peaceful, and known for good taste.
Dragon
Confident, ambitious, powerful, and lucky.
Snake
Intelligent, calm, intuitive, and mysterious.
Horse
Independent, adventurous, active, and social.
Goat
Creative, artistic, caring, and compassionate.
Monkey
Smart, curious, humorous, and flexible.
Rooster
Organized, honest, observant, and ambitious.
Dog
Loyal, protective, sincere, and trustworthy.
Pig
Friendly, optimistic, generous, and warm-hearted.
Lucky Numbers and Lucky Flowers
In Chinese culture, every zodiac sign is traditionally connected with lucky numbers, lucky flowers, lucky colors, and symbolic meanings believed to influence relationships, careers, wealth, and harmony.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Guide
Chinese zodiac compatibility is an important part of traditional Chinese astrology. Based on the zodiac cycle, certain animal signs are believed to form stronger relationships, while others may experience more challenges in love, friendship, business, and family life.
The Chinese zodiac compatibility system is widely used in Chinese culture to compare personality traits, emotional balance, and reputed attributes between zodiac signs.
Best Chinese Zodiac Matches
| Zodiac Sign | Best Matches |
|---|---|
| Rat | Dragon, Monkey, Ox |
| Ox | Snake, Rooster, Rat |
| Tiger | Horse, Dog, Pig |
| Rabbit | Goat, Pig, Dog |
| Dragon | Rat, Monkey, Rooster |
| Snake | Ox, Rooster, Monkey |
| Horse | Tiger, Goat, Dog |
| Goat | Rabbit, Horse, Pig |
| Monkey | Rat, Dragon, Snake |
| Rooster | Ox, Dragon, Snake |
| Dog | Tiger, Rabbit, Horse |
| Pig | Tiger, Rabbit, Goat |
Challenging Zodiac Pairings
Some zodiac animals may have very different personality traits and communication styles. These pairings may require more understanding and balance:
Rat and Horse
Ox and Goat
Tiger and Monkey
Rabbit and Rooster
Dragon and Dog
Snake and Pig
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility by Personality
The Chinese zodiac operates through balance between personalities, elements, and the twelve animals in the zodiac cycle. While compatibility traditions remain popular in Chinese culture, relationships are also influenced by communication, values, and life experience.
People born under compatible animal signs are believed to share stronger emotional understanding, trust, and long-term harmony.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Check compatibility between two Chinese zodiac signs based on the traditional Chinese zodiac system, personality traits, and zodiac cycle relationships.
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign by Birthday
Choose your birth date to discover your Chinese zodiac sign with a more accurate Lunar New Year boundary check.
Did You Know?
The Chinese zodiac compatibility system also connects with the five elements and the larger 60-year cycle in Chinese astrology. Two people with the same zodiac animal may still have different compatibility outcomes depending on their element signs.
Chinese New Year and Chinese Zodiac Years
The Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar used in most countries. Because of this, the Chinese zodiac year does not begin on January 1. Instead, each zodiac year starts on Chinese New Year, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20.
This is why people born in January or February should always check the exact Chinese New Year starting dates and ending dates before identifying their Chinese zodiac sign.
Why January or February Birthdays Matter
A person born in January or early February may belong to the previous Chinese zodiac year instead of the same Gregorian year.
For example:
Someone born before Feb 17 1988 belongs to the Rabbit zodiac sign.
Someone born after Feb 17 1988 belongs to the Dragon zodiac sign.
People born before Jan 29 2025 belong to the Dragon year, while birthdays after Jan 29 2025 belong to the Year of the Snake.
Because the Chinese lunar year changes every year, checking the exact Chinese New Year date is essential when using a Chinese zodiac years chart.
Chinese Zodiac Years and the Lunar Calendar
The Chinese zodiac operates on a twelve year cycle connected to the traditional Chinese calendar. Each Chinese lunar year is represented by one of the twelve zodiac animals.
The zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
The twelve animals were traditionally linked to a legendary race organized by the Jade Emperor, which determined the order of the Chinese zodiac animals still used today.
Chinese Zodiac vs Gregorian Calendar
| Chinese Zodiac System | Gregorian Calendar |
|---|---|
| Based on Chinese lunar year | Based on solar year |
| Changes on Chinese New Year | Changes on January 1 |
| Uses zodiac animals | Uses months and dates |
| Follows lunar cycles | Follows solar cycles |
Important Reminder
The Chinese zodiac sign depends on the Chinese lunar year, not simply the birth year shown on the Gregorian calendar. Always check Chinese New Year dates if you were born in January or February.
Chinese Zodiac FAQ
FAQ
What is the Chinese zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac is a traditional Chinese astrology system based on a repeating 12-year cycle. Each Chinese lunar year is represented by an associated animal sign, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
How do I find my Chinese zodiac sign?
You can find your Chinese zodiac sign using your birth year and the Chinese lunar calendar. Because Chinese New Year falls between January and February, people born in January or February should check the exact Chinese New Year date carefully.
Why is the Chinese zodiac different from the Gregorian calendar?
The Chinese zodiac follows the Chinese lunar year rather than the Gregorian calendar. Zodiac years change on Chinese New Year instead of January 1.
What are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals?
The twelve zodiac animals are:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
These zodiac animals repeat in a fixed twelve year cycle.
What are the five elements in the Chinese zodiac?
The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Together with the 12 zodiac animals, they create the larger 60-year zodiac cycle in traditional Chinese astrology.
What does the Year of the Tiger mean?
People born in the Year of the Tiger are traditionally associated with bravery, confidence, leadership, and strong personality traits. Tiger years include 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, and 2022.
Why do Chinese New Year dates matter?
Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese zodiac year. Because the date changes every year between January 21 and February 20, people born in January or February may belong to the previous zodiac sign.
Are lucky numbers and lucky flowers important in Chinese culture?
In traditional Chinese culture, every zodiac sign is connected with lucky numbers, lucky flowers, lucky colors, and symbolic meanings believed to influence harmony, relationships, and fortune.
How does Chinese zodiac compatibility work?
Chinese zodiac compatibility compares personality traits and relationships between zodiac animals. Some signs are believed to form stronger emotional and personality matches within the zodiac cycle.
Is the Chinese zodiac still popular today?
Yes. The Chinese zodiac remains an important part of Chinese culture and is widely used during Chinese New Year celebrations, astrology readings, compatibility matching, and cultural traditions around the world.
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