The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
The Chinese zodiac follows a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year assigned to an animal sign. This page brings together the order of the 12 signs, common personality readings, compatibility patterns, and year references based on Lunar New Year boundaries.
Rat
鼠 · Shu
Quick-witted · Resourceful · Versatile
Explore sign ↝
Ox
牛 · Niu
Diligent · Dependable · Strong
Explore sign ↝
Tiger
虎 · Hu
Brave · Competitive · Unpredictable
Explore sign ↝
Rabbit
兔 · Tu
Quiet · Elegant · Kind
Explore sign ↝
Dragon
龙 · Long
Confident · Intelligent · Enthusiastic
Explore sign ↝
Snake
蛇 · She
Enigmatic · Intelligent · Wise
Explore sign ↝
Horse
马 · Ma
Animated · Active · Energetic
Explore sign ↝
Goat
羊 · Yang
Calm · Gentle · Sympathetic
Explore sign ↝
Monkey
猴 · Hou
Sharp · Smart · Curious
Explore sign ↝
Rooster
鸡 · Ji
Observant · Hardworking · Courageous
Explore sign ↝
Dog
狗 · Gou
Loyal · Honest · Amiable
Explore sign ↝
Pig
猪 · Zhu
Compassionate · Generous · Diligent
Explore sign ↝
The Five Elements In Zodiac Reading
Each zodiac year also carries a Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water phase. The animal sign stays the same, but the yearly element changes the tone of the reading, creating the broader 60-year cycle.
Chinese Zodiac Years Chart
Use birth year as a quick reference for your animal sign. Because zodiac years begin at Lunar New Year, January and February birthdays may still belong to the previous zodiac year.
| Animal | Recent Years | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Rat (鼠) | 1996, 2008, 2020 | Quick-witted, Resourceful, Versatile, Kind |
| Ox (牛) | 1997, 2009, 2021 | Diligent, Dependable, Strong, Determined |
| Tiger (虎) | 1998, 2010, 2022 | Brave, Competitive, Unpredictable, Confident |
| Rabbit (兔) | 1999, 2011, 2023 | Quiet, Elegant, Kind, Responsible |
| Dragon (龙) | 2000, 2012, 2024 | Confident, Intelligent, Enthusiastic, Ambitious |
| Snake (蛇) | 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | Enigmatic, Intelligent, Wise, Graceful |
| Horse (马) | 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | Animated, Active, Energetic, Free-spirited |
| Goat (羊) | 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | Calm, Gentle, Sympathetic, Creative |
| Monkey (猴) | 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | Sharp, Smart, Curious, Playful |
| Rooster (鸡) | 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | Observant, Hardworking, Courageous, Talented |
| Dog (狗) | 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | Loyal, Honest, Amiable, Kind |
| Pig (猪) | 1995, 2007, 2019 | Compassionate, Generous, Diligent, Optimistic |
Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Want a detailed analysis? Try our full Chinese Zodiac Calculator