The Chinese Zodiac is an integral part of Chinese culture, deeply rooted in ancient traditions, folklore, and astrology. It consists of a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal. These animals are believed to influence the characteristics, personality traits, and fortunes of people born in their respective years.

Rat (鼠)
The rat is the first of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. It represents intelligence, flexibility, and diligence. In Chinese culture, rats symbolize wealth and prosperity because they are closely related to grains and food.
Ox (牛)
The ox is the second animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents strength, endurance, and stability. In Chinese culture, oxen symbolize hard work and patience because they played an important role in agricultural society.
Tiger (虎)
The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents courage, strength, and majesty. In Chinese culture, tigers symbolize bravery and confidence because they are the kings of the forest.
Rabbit (兔)
The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents gentleness, elegance, and wit. In Chinese culture, rabbits symbolize peace and love because they are associated with the moon and femininity.
Dragon (龙)
The dragon is the fifth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents strength, wisdom, and mystery. In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize authority and dignity because they are mythical beasts.
Snake (蛇)
The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents wisdom, calmness, and mystery. In Chinese culture, snakes symbolize wisdom and ability because they are closely related to the earth and nature.
Horse (马)
The horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents strength, speed, and freedom. In Chinese culture, horses symbolize success and honor because they are closely related to war and victory.
Goat (羊)
The goat is the eighth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents gentleness, kindness, and harmony. In Chinese culture, goats symbolize peace and happiness because they are closely related to family and friendship.
Monkey (猴)
The monkey is the ninth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents intelligence, flexibility, and curiosity. In Chinese culture, monkeys symbolize wisdom and wit because they are closely related to wisdom and wit.
Rooster (鸡)
The rooster is the tenth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents diligence, punctuality, and alertness. In Chinese culture, roosters symbolize hard work and punctuality because they are closely related to dawn and new beginnings.
Dog (狗)
The dog is the eleventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents loyalty, friendliness, and protection. In Chinese culture, dogs symbolize loyalty and trust because they are man’s most faithful friends.
Pig (猪)
The pig is the twelfth animal in the Chinese zodiac. It represents honesty, tolerance, and prosperity. In Chinese culture, pigs symbolize prosperity and happiness because they are closely related to food and abundance.
What’s Your Chinese Zodiac?
Chinese Zodiac Years and Animals
Gregorian Year | Lunar New Year Start Date | Zodiac Animal | Pinyin |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | 1月28日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
1961 | 2月15日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
1962 | 2月5日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
1963 | 1月25日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
1964 | 2月13日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
1965 | 2月2日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
1966 | 1月21日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
1967 | 2月9日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
1968 | 1月30日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
1969 | 2月17日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
1970 | 2月6日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
1971 | 1月27日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |
1972 | 2月15日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
1973 | 2月3日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
1974 | 1月23日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
1975 | 2月11日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
1976 | 1月31日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
1977 | 2月18日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
1978 | 2月7日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
1979 | 1月28日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
1980 | 2月16日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
1981 | 2月5日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
1982 | 1月25日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
1983 | 2月13日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |
1984 | 2月2日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
1985 | 2月20日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
1986 | 2月9日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
1987 | 1月29日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
1988 | 2月17日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
1989 | 2月6日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
1990 | 1月27日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
1991 | 2月15日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
1992 | 2月4日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
1993 | 1月23日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
1994 | 2月10日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
1995 | 1月31日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |
1996 | 2月19日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
1997 | 2月7日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
1998 | 1月28日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
1999 | 2月16日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
2000 | 2月5日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
2001 | 1月24日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
2002 | 2月12日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
2003 | 2月1日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
2004 | 1月22日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
2005 | 2月9日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
2006 | 1月29日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
2007 | 2月18日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |
2008 | 2月7日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
2009 | 1月26日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
2010 | 2月14日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
2011 | 2月3日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
2012 | 1月23日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
2013 | 2月10日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
2014 | 1月31日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
2015 | 2月19日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
2016 | 2月8日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
2017 | 1月28日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
2018 | 2月16日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
2019 | 2月5日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |
2020 | 1月25日 | 鼠 (Rat) | Shǔ |
2021 | 2月12日 | 牛 (Ox) | Niú |
2022 | 2月1日 | 虎 (Tiger) | Hǔ |
2023 | 1月22日 | 兔 (Rabbit) | Tù |
2024 | 2月10日 | 龙 (Dragon) | Lóng |
2025 | 1月29日 | 蛇 (Snake) | Shé |
2026 | 2月17日 | 马 (Horse) | Mǎ |
2027 | 2月6日 | 羊 (Goat) | Yáng |
2028 | 1月26日 | 猴 (Monkey) | Hóu |
2029 | 2月13日 | 鸡 (Rooster) | Jī |
2030 | 2月3日 | 狗 (Dog) | Gǒu |
2031 | 1月23日 | 猪 (Pig) | Zhū |