The Chinese zodiac assigns one of 12 animals to each year in a repeating cycle. Finding your sign is as simple as knowing your birth year. These meanings are cultural tradition for entertainment and self-reflection.
By Marcus VanceThe Chinese Zodiac Calculator finds your sign, element and yin/yang quality from your birth year in one step.
The Chinese zodiac cycles through 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Your sign is determined by your birth year within that 12-year repeating cycle.
The cycle repeats every 12 years, so your animal reappears on your 12th, 24th and 36th birthdays. Each year also carries one of five elements and a yin or yang quality, so no two years in a full 60-year span are exactly identical, even when the animal matches.
Traditional Chinese astrology also describes certain animal pairings as challenging: Rat and Horse, Tiger and Monkey, Dog and Dragon are the ones cited most often. These are cultural traditions, not relationship guidelines, and they have survived about two thousand years of people ignoring them without apparent consequence.
| Year | Animal | Year | Animal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Dragon | 2012 | Dragon |
| 2001 | Snake | 2013 | Snake |
| 2002 | Horse | 2014 | Horse |
| 2003 | Goat | 2015 | Goat |
| 2004 | Monkey | 2016 | Monkey |
| 2005 | Rooster | 2017 | Rooster |
| 2006 | Dog | 2018 | Dog |
| 2007 | Pig | 2019 | Pig |
| 2008 | Rat | 2020 | Rat |
| 2009 | Ox | 2021 | Ox |
| 2010 | Tiger | 2022 | Tiger |
| 2011 | Rabbit | 2023 | Rabbit |
2024 is the Year of the Dragon; 2025 is the Year of the Snake; 2026 is the Year of the Horse.
Rat: resourceful, quick-thinking. Ox: dependable, patient. Tiger: brave, competitive. Rabbit: gentle, diplomatic. Dragon: confident, ambitious. Snake: wise, intuitive. Horse: energetic, independent. Goat: creative, gentle. Monkey: clever, mischievous. Rooster: observant, hardworking. Dog: loyal, honest. Pig: generous, sincere.
Curious what your birth date adds up to? The Numerology Calculator computes your life path, expression and soul urge numbers.
Your Chinese zodiac animal is determined by your birth year within the 12-year cycle. 2024 is Dragon, 2025 is Snake, 2026 is Horse. The Chinese Zodiac Calculator on this site returns it instantly.
In order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. The cycle repeats every 12 years. Dragon years include 2000, 2012, and 2024.
Use the chart or the Chinese Zodiac Calculator on this site. Enter your birth year and your animal sign appears. Remember the Chinese New Year date shifts each year, so if you were born in January or February, double-check which year your birthday falls in.
Traditional Chinese astrology describes Rat and Horse, Tiger and Monkey, and Dog and Dragon as challenging combinations. These are cultural entertainment traditions, not scientific assessments of compatibility.
Marcus Vance breaks down number tools and their formulas for Encore Editorial. He explains the mechanics and leaves the mysticism to the reader. More about Marcus.
