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Chinese Zodiac Calculator

Find your animal, element, and which side of the yin-yang divide you landed on.

Details

Results

Animal -
Element -
Yin / Yang -
Traits -

For entertainment purposes only.

How it works

The Chinese zodiac cycles through 12 animals, repeating every 12 years, layered over a 10-year stem cycle that produces five elements and alternating yin/yang polarities. Enter your birth year and we return your animal, element, and polarity.

Born in January or February? The Chinese New Year moves each year and lands anywhere from late January to late February. If you were born before the new year started, you belong to the previous year's animal.

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FAQs

How is the animal found?

Your birth year is mapped to a 12-year cycle. 1984 was the Rat; 2000 was the Dragon; each full cycle covers 12 different animals.

What's the element?

One of five: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. Each element covers two consecutive years, rotating through a 10-year cycle that overlaps the 12-animal one.

Why might my sign differ?

The Chinese calendar does not start on January 1. If you were born before Chinese New Year in your birth year, your animal sign is technically from the year before.

Is this scientific?

No. It is a traditional cultural system, not an empirical one. This tool is for curiosity.