The chinese zodiac
What is your Chinese zodiac sign ? Find it out in the table below :
the-years-of-chinese-astrology-2.pdf (490.29 Ko)
Chinese astrology
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, meaning that it is based both on the annual cycle of the sun for counting years, and on the cycle of the phases of the moon for counting months. Created in the year - 2697 of the Gregorian calendar by Emperor HUANG DI, it has twelve months and 354 or 355 days. A 13th month is added every two or three years. The Chinese people adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1912 but they continue to consult the Chinese calendar for the harvest or the determination of major personal and family events.
Each Chinese year is represented by an animal over a twelve-year cycle.
Legend has it that the Heavenly Emperor summoned all the animals of the earth in assembly before him. He told them that the first twelve to arrive would be representatives of a lunar year. First came the Rat (Shu), then the Ox (Niu), the Tiger (Hu), the Rabbit (Tu), the Dragon (Long), the Snake (She), the Horse (Ma), the Goat (Yang), the Monkey (Hou), the Rooster (Ji), the Dog (Gou), the Pig (Zhu).
The Chinese astrological system therefore includes 12 animal signs: It is the year of birth that indicates the sign to which one belongs. Since the astrological year begins on a different date each year, between January 21st and February 20th, on the first day of a new moon, the month of birth is therefore also important in determining the astrological sign.
To this are added the five elements which govern cosmic and human phenomena. The five elements are Wood (Mu), Fire (Huo), Earth (Tu), Metal (Jin), Water (Shui). The Chinese year of birth determines the element (for more information, consult the sites specialized on this very complex question).
The Chinese zodiac cycle renews itself every twelve years. The 20th century began with a year of the Rat, the 21st century with a year of the Dragon.
Rate sign
The Rat years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
January 31, 1900 |
February 18, 1901 |
Metal Rat |
February 18, 1912 |
February 5, 1913 |
Water Rat |
February 5, 1924 |
January 24, 1925 |
Wood Rat |
January 24, 1936 |
February 10, 1937 |
Fire Rat |
February 10, 1948 |
January 28, 1949 |
Earth Rat |
January 28, 1960 |
February 14, 1961 |
Metal Rat |
February 15, 1972 |
February 2, 1973 |
Water Rat |
February 2, 1984 |
February 19, 1985 |
Wood Rat |
February 19, 1996 |
February 6,1997 |
Fire Rat |
February 7, 2008 |
January 25, 2009 |
Earth Rat |
January 25, 2020 |
February 11, 2021 |
Metal Rat |
February 11, 2032 |
January 30, 2033 |
Water Rat |
January 30, 2044 |
February 16, 2045 |
Wood Rat |
February 15, 2056 |
February 3, 2057 |
Fire Rat |
February 3, 2068 |
January 22, 2069 |
Earth Rat |
Rats are very sociable, attractive, charming, but also very secretive. They are sentimental and passionate, but can be selfish and self-centered. They are generous to their loved ones, and their families will always benefit from their protection.
Rats, thanks to their instincts, their great intuition, and their keen sense of opportunism, make the right choices in life and have great abilities to save and accumulate wealth. But they can suddenly overspend to save again. They are ambitious and creative and are not made for chores. They need dynamism and action.
Rats are capable of great anger, but it doesn’t last. They can be manipulative when their interests are at stake and aggressive if they feel threatened.
Warm, sociable and mysterious beings at the same time, rats can appear as ambiguous characters. In Chinese astrology, they have the reputation of bringing good luck to those around them.
Ox sign
The Ox years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 19, 1901 |
February 7, 1902 |
Metal Ox |
February 6, 1913 |
January 25, 1914 |
Water Ox |
January 25, 1925 |
February 12, 1926 |
Wood Ox |
February 11, 1937 |
January 30, 1938 |
Fire Ox |
January 29, 1949 |
February 16, 1950 |
Earth Ox |
February 15, 1961 |
February 4, 1962 |
Metal Ox |
February 3, 1973 |
January 22, 1974 |
Water Ox |
February 20, 1985 |
February 8, 1986 |
Wood Ox |
February 7, 1997 |
January 27, 1998 |
Fire Ox |
January 26, 2009 |
February 13, 2010 |
Earth Ox |
February 12, 2021 |
January 31, 2022 |
Metal Ox |
January 31, 2033 |
February 18, 2034 |
Water Ox |
February 17, 2045 |
February 5, 2046 |
Wood Ox |
February 4, 2057 |
January 23,2058 |
Fire Ox |
January 23, 2069 |
February 10, 2070 |
Earth Ox |
Oxen are considered serious and enduring individuals, who think before acting and, once the course is chosen, do not change no matter what. Oxen can be stubborn and their persistence is extraordinary. They do not let themselves be swayed, are constant and stubborn. Very ambitious, they like to control everything and hate failure.
Oxen are hard workers and authoritarian rulers; they act and achieve. Economical, they do not incur unnecessary expenses. Despite sometimes abrupt manners, Oxen are generous, protective, and loyal in friendship. We can count on them in all circumstances. They need stability and a home that gives them the necessary balance. Oxen are wary of affectivity and passions; worldly conversations and gossip bored them.
Even-tempered, they are contemplatives who love solitude and prefer nature to the bustle of cities. Calm, independent and introverted, Oxen are the most patient sign in Chinese astrology.
Tiger sign
The Tiger years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 8, 1902 |
January 28, 1903 |
Water Tiger |
January 26, 1914 |
February 13, 1915 |
Wood Tiger |
February 13, 1926 |
February 1, 1927 |
Fire Tiger |
January 31, 1938 |
February 18, 1939 |
Earth Tiger |
February 17, 1950 |
February 5, 1951 |
Metal Tiger |
February 5, 1962 |
January 24, 1963 |
Water Tiger |
January 23, 1974 |
February 10, 1975 |
Wood Tiger |
February 9, 1986 |
January 28, 1987 |
Fire Tiger |
January 28, 1998 |
February 15, 1999 |
Earth Tiger |
February 14, 2010 |
February 2, 2011 |
Metal Tiger |
February 1, 2022 |
January 21, 2023 |
Water Tiger |
February 19, 2034 |
February 7, 2035 |
Wood Tiger |
February 6, 2046 |
January 25, 2047 |
Fire Tiger |
January 24, 2058 |
February 11, 2059 |
Earth Tiger |
February 11, 2070 |
January 30, 2071 |
Metal Tiger |
Tigers have great energy and are tireless. They like a challenge, take action, go for it and win. Unaware of the danger and liking for adventure, Tigers often take risks. They are competitors who have confidence in themselves. Passionate and emotional, Tigers run on instinct and leap before they think. Their stubbornness can sometimes hurt them.
Tigers are not interested in money, but they can make a fortune because they find solutions or ideas faster than others. They always get away with it, even when the going looks dire. Money, for them, is only used to maintain their independence and freedom.
Tigers are indomitable and hate to obey. They run away from limits and schedules. Stability bores them. Endowed with natural authority and great charisma, they know how to gain respect and are often admired. They are born leaders. Their character is generous, whole, frank but unpredictable.
In Chinese astrology, Tigers are equated with success, triumph.
Rabbit sign
The Rabbit years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
January 29, 1903 |
February 15, 1904 |
Water Rabbit |
February 14, 1915 |
February 2, 1916 |
Wood Rabbit |
February 2, 1927 |
January 22, 1928 |
Fire Rabbit |
February 19, 1939 |
February 7, 1940 |
Earth Rabbit |
February 6, 1951 |
January 26, 1952 |
Metal Rabbit |
January 25, 1963 |
February 12, 1964 |
Water Rabbit |
February 11, 1975 |
January 30, 1976 |
Wood Rabbit |
January 29, 1987 |
February 16, 1988 |
Fire Rabbit |
February 16, 1999 |
February 4, 2000 |
Earth Rabbit |
February 3, 2011 |
January 22, 2012 |
Metal Rabbit |
January 22, 2023 |
February 9, 2024 |
Water Rabbit |
February 8, 2035 |
January 27, 2036 |
Wood Rabbit |
January 26, 2047 |
February 13, 2048 |
Fire Rabbit |
February 12, 2059 |
February 1, 2060 |
Earth Rabbit |
January 31, 2071 |
February 18, 2072 |
Metal Rabbit |
Rabbits are calm and refined beings who yearn for tranquility. Diplomats, they hate power struggles, conflicts, agitation, and anything that can give them problems and disturb their comfort and their daily lives. Rabbits do not engage in adventures that could cause them to lose control of events. They don't like the unexpected and indulge in routine.
Faithful in friendship and trustworthy, listening to others, they remain secret and rarely open up. They are very conservative. They are not particularly family oriented but are attached to their home which brings them comfort and security. Very sociable, they like social events.
Rabbits are not looking to change the world, but rather to adapt to it in their best interests. They are not leaders. They save without seeking to enrich themselves, but can be very generous to others.
In Chinese astrology, Rabbit natives are known to have a great need for security, peace and harmony.
Dragon sign
The Dragon years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 16, 1904 |
February 3, 1905 |
Wood Dragon |
February 3, 1916 |
January 22, 1917 |
Fire Dragon |
January 23, 1928 |
February 9, 1929 |
Earth Dragon |
February 8, 1940 |
January 26, 1941 |
Gold Dragon |
January 27, 1952 |
February 13, 1953 |
Water Dragon |
February 13, 1964 |
February 1, 1965 |
Wood Dragon |
January 31, 1976 |
February 17, 1977 |
Fire Dragon |
February 17, 1988 |
February 5, 1989 |
Earth Dragon |
February 5, 2000 |
January 23, 2001 |
Gold Dragon |
January 23, 2012 |
February 9, 2013 |
Water Dragon |
February 10, 2024 |
January 28, 2025 |
Wood Dragon |
January 28, 2036 |
February 14, 2037 |
Fire Dragon |
February 14, 2048 |
February 1, 2049 |
Earth Dragon |
February 2, 2060 |
January 20, 2061 |
Gold Dragon |
February 19, 2072 |
February 6, 2073 |
Water Dragon |
Chinese people say that Dragons are born out of luck. Dragons have great energy, are courageous and love challenges that allow them to surpass themselves. Their goal is to achieve power and they are made to dominate. They are leaders and competitors.
Straightforward and forthright in their talk, Dragons are not diplomats and often look down on the opinions of others, so sure they know the truth. They have no sense of proportion and their taste for perfection is high. They are demanding of themselves and of others, but they bring sound advice to those around them and are very generous.
Endowed with great charisma, Dragons impress and fascinate. They like to be admired. Their impatience and impulsiveness, however, risk causing them to err in judgment. They usually get married quite late and some remain single.
Dragons are spendthrifts, but they do well enough to never be poor.
When it comes to a year of the Dragon associated with the element Metal, we speak of the Golden Dragon.
In Chinese astrology, Dragons are considered to be the most powerful sign of the zodiac.
Snake sign
The Snake years :
Stard |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 4, 1905 |
January 24, 1906 |
Wood Snake |
January 23, 1917 |
February 10, 1918 |
Fire Snake |
February 10, 1929 |
January 29, 1930 |
Earth Snake |
January 27, 1941 |
February 14, 1942 |
Metal Snake |
February 14, 1953 |
February 2, 1954 |
Water Snake |
February 2, 1965 |
January 20, 1966 |
Wood Snake |
February 18, 1977 |
February 6, 1978 |
Fire Snake |
February 6, 1989 |
January 26, 1990 |
Earth Snake |
January 24, 2001 |
February 11, 2002 |
Metal Snake |
February 10, 2013 |
January 30, 2014 |
Water Snake |
January 29, 2025 |
February 16, 2026 |
Wood Snake |
February 15, 2037 |
February 3, 2038 |
Fire Snake |
February 2, 2049 |
January 22, 2050 |
Earth Snake |
January 21, 2061 |
February 8, 2062 |
Metal Snake |
February 7, 2073 |
January 26, 2074 |
Water Snake |
Snakes give off a very strong magnetism. They are discreet, calm, cultured, intelligent and renowned for their wisdom. They are cerebral, not very attracted by physical activities. Particularly intuitive and lucid, they judge all situations in depth before taking action and are rarely mistaken about their interlocutors.
Lonely and wary of others, they prefer to work in the shadows, at their own pace. Snakes are good at business and negotiation. Their natural charm makes them irresistible and they are a bit manipulative. Very thrifty, they can fall into greed.
Snakes are possessive and tend to be invasive. They often have large families and are loyal in friendship. They have a sense of the word given, but beware of those who betray them! The revenge of a Snake is terrible.The sign of
the Snake is considered as one of the most cautious signs of the Chinese zodiac.
Horse sign
The Horse years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
January 25, 1906 |
February 12, 1907 |
Fire Horse |
February 11, 1918 |
January 31, 1919 |
Earth Horse |
January 30, 1930 |
February 16, 1931 |
Metal Horse |
February 15, 1942 |
February 4, 1943 |
Water Horse |
February 3, 1954 |
January 23, 1955 |
Wood Horse |
January 21, 1966 |
February 8, 1967 |
Fire Horse |
February 7, 1978 |
January 27, 1979 |
Earth Horse |
January 27, 1990 |
February 14, 1991 |
Metal Horse |
February 12, 2002 |
January 31, 2003 |
Water Horse |
January 31, 2014 |
February 18, 2015 |
Wood Horse |
February 17, 2026 |
February 5, 2027 |
Fire Horse |
February 4, 2038 |
January 23, 2039 |
Earth Horse |
January 23, 2050 |
February 10, 2051 |
Metal Horse |
February 9, 2062 |
January 28, 2063 |
Water Horse |
January 27, 2074 |
February 14, 2075 |
Wood Horse |
Horses are lively, always on the move, sociable. They need to be surrounded and like to shine in society. Emotion prevails in them over reason. Possessing great adaptability but very independent, Horses can stand neither orders nor routine and they do not hesitate to give up what they have just undertaken. They are always in search of new activities, trips and adventures.
Horse natives don’t appreciate prolonged efforts and prefer to avoid difficulties. They are not leaders. On the other hand, they make very good negotiators.
Horses take a long time to establish a home due to their instability and fear of routine. They are not thrifty, but they always do well financially, their ability to easily find work being remarkable.
Horses are considered as the most hospitable animals in the Chinese zodiac.
The Years of the Fire Horse occur every 60 years (1906, 1966, 2026…). In those years, the characteristics of Horse natives are accentuated to excess, for both good and bad. According to popular belief, their lives are marked by exceptional events.
Goat sign
The Goat years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 13, 1907 |
February 1, 1908 |
Fire Goat |
February 1, 1919 |
February 19, 1920 |
Earth Goat |
February 17, 1931 |
February 5, 1932 |
Metal Goat |
February 5, 1943 |
January 24, 1944 |
Water Goat |
January 24, 1955 |
February 11, 1956 |
Wood Goat |
February 9, 1967 |
January 29, 1968 |
Fire Goat |
January 28, 1979 |
February 15, 1980 |
Earth Goat |
February 15, 1991 |
February 3, 1992 |
Metal Goat |
February 1, 2003 |
January 21, 2004 |
Water Goat |
February 19, 2015 |
February 7, 2016 |
Wood Goat |
February 6, 2027 |
January 25, 2028 |
Fire Goat |
January 24, 2039 |
February 11, 2040 |
Earth Goat |
February 11, 2051 |
January 31, 2052 |
Metal Goat |
January 29, 2063 |
February 16, 2064 |
Water Goat |
February 15, 2075 |
February 4, 2076 |
Wood Goat |
Goats are calm and reserved individuals who don't like noise or bustle. Routine and solitude suit them well. Goats, however, are sociable and always available to help others.
Very sensitive and poorly enduring reproaches and conflicts, Goat natives are constantly worried and pessimistic. They have a great need for security and like to be guided and reassured. They are sometimes even said to be invasive. They often let others decide for them and provide them with the security they seek. Capricious and unruly, lacking in practicality, Goats are heady and often have difficulty adapting in society.
The Goats are in fact artists, creatives. They live in a world of fantasy and aesthetics. Very manual, they are successful in the craft industry. Goats don't like jobs that expose them to too much responsibility. They are not leaders. They like teamwork which reassures them.
The sign of the Goat is the least ambitious in Chinese astrology but the most able to make powerful and protective allies.
Monkey sign
The Monkey years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 2, 1908 |
January 21, 1909 |
Earth Monkey |
February 20,1920 |
January 7, 1921 |
Metal Monkey |
February 6, 1932 |
January 25, 1933 |
Water Monkey |
January 25, 1944 |
February 12, 1945 |
Wood Monkey |
February 12,1956 |
January 30, 1957 |
Fire Monkey |
January 30, 1968 |
February 16, 1969 |
Earth Monkey |
February 16, 1980 |
February 4, 1981 |
Metal Monkey |
February 4, 1992 |
January 22, 1993 |
Water Monkey |
January 22, 2004 |
February 8, 2005 |
Wood Monkey |
February 8, 2016 |
January 27, 2017 |
Fire Monkey |
January 26, 2028 |
February 12, 2029 |
Earth Monkey |
February 12, 2040 |
January 31, 2041 |
Metal Monkey |
February 1, 2052 |
February 18, 2053 |
Water Monkey |
February 17, 2064 |
February 4, 2065 |
Wood Monkey |
February 5, 2076 |
January 23, 2077 |
Fire Monkey |
Monkeys dominate the other signs with their intellectual capacities, inventiveness, exceptional memory and quick wit. They can solve any problem with surprising speed, love to operate on a rush, and handle multiple activities at once. For this, Monkeys tend to believe themselves superior to others.
Great manipulators, the Monkeys do not bother with great morality. They don't hesitate to lie if it serves their cause. Excellent speakers, they know how to convince and get what they want.
Monkey natives can get bored very quickly if they spend too much time on the same task, or become discouraged if the task is too complex or too heavy. They jump from branch to branch and move from subject to subject. You should never impose anything on them. They do what they want and only fight when their best interests are at stake. Monkeys want to live in freedom and comfort, and to achieve this they do everything to enrich themselves.
Monkeys are sociable, diplomatic, but their interest in others is often interested. They like to be in the center and constantly wonder if they are loved or if they will please. Possessing a lot of humor, they love to laugh at everything and bring a lot of gaiety to society.
Monkeys sometimes have a hard time bending the rules and they will be more successful professionally by setting up their own business or project.
It’s the most gifted sign in the Chinese zodiac.
Rooster sign
The Rooster years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
January 22, 1909 |
February 9, 1910 |
Earth Rooster |
February 8, 1921 |
January 27, 1922 |
Metal Rooster |
January 26, 1933 |
February 13, 1934 |
Water Rooster |
February 13, 1945 |
February 1, 1946 |
Wood Rooster |
January 31, 1957 |
February 17, 1958 |
Fire Rooster |
February 17, 1969 |
February 5, 1970 |
Earth Rooster |
February 5, 1981 |
January 24, 1982 |
Metal Rooster |
January 23, 1993 |
February 9, 1994 |
Water Rooster |
February 9, 2005 |
January 28, 2006 |
Wood Rooster |
January 28, 2017 |
February 15, 2018 |
Fire Rooster |
February 13, 2029 |
February 2, 2030 |
Earth Rooster |
February 1, 2041 |
January 21, 2042 |
Metal Rooster |
February 19, 2053 |
February 7, 2054 |
Water Rooster |
February 5, 2065 |
January 25, 2066 |
Wood Rooster |
January 24, 2077 |
February 11, 2078 |
Fire Rooster |
Roosters do not go unnoticed. They do anything to get attention. They love social events and need an audience to listen to and admire them. But under superficial, conceited and eccentric appearances, roosters are very serious and very conservative. They very rarely give up and remain secret about their private life.
Roosters are incredibly honest and so frank that it can be hurtful. They are not stingy in advice and their great sensitivity pushes them to help others.
Although they are spendthrift, roosters keep their books very well. Combining family life and social gatherings, they are loving and very protective parents.
Roosters are meticulous and the slightest disturbance in their environment plunges them into great anxiety. However, roosters love novelty, and when faced with routine tasks, they find a way to accomplish them in new and original ways. Confident, intelligent and cultured, roosters are often on bad terms with established authority. But they are great workers.
Very inventive and always on the lookout for something new, roosters have a tendency to pursue dreams that cannot come to fruition. However, their strength of character in the face of failure always allows them to bounce back and they know how to fend for themselves in the face of adversity. Roosters are known to be very brave.
It is the most straightforward sign in Chinese astrology.
Dog sign
The Dog years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
February 10, 1910 |
January 29, 1911 |
Metal Dog |
January 28, 1922 |
February 15, 1923 |
Water Dog |
February 14, 1934 |
February 3, 1935 |
Wood Dog |
February 2, 1946 |
January 21, 1947 |
Fire Dog |
February 18, 1958 |
February 7, 1959 |
Earth Dog |
February 6, 1970 |
January 26, 1971 |
Metal Dog |
January 25, 1982 |
February 12, 1983 |
Water Dog |
February 10, 1994 |
January 30, 1995 |
Wood Dog |
January 29, 2006 |
February 17, 2007 |
Fire Dog |
February 16, 2018 |
February 4, 2019 |
Earth Dog |
February 3, 2030 |
January 22, 2031 |
Metal Dog |
January 22, 2042 |
February 9, 2043 |
Water Dog |
February 8, 2054 |
January 27, 2055 |
Wood Dog |
January 26, 2066 |
February 13, 2067 |
Fire Dog |
February 12, 2078 |
February 1, 2079 |
Earth Dog |
Dogs are loyal and honest. We can count on them. Very discreet and composed, they listen to others and inspire confidence.
Injustice revolts Dog natives who don’t hesitate to take risks and sacrifice themselves to come to the aid of those in need. Selfless and endowed with little personal ambition, they nonetheless possess a deep ideal mingled with a sense of duty, justice, righteousness and devotion to others.
Dogs are worried, always on the defensive. Great pessimists, serious and austere, they never rest. They are great workers. They are comfortable in trades serving others and represent valuable partners in teams.
Although sociable, Dogs do sometimes tend to isolate themselves due to their rigid and demanding character. They are stubborn, cynical, and can make nasty comments. They hate crowd gatherings and are not very good in society.
Dogs are thrifty and spend more easily on those they love than on themselves. They are responsible parents who are very attentive to the needs of their families. They are endowed with unfailing loyalty.
It is the most loyal sign in the Chinese zodiac.
Pig sign
The Pig years :
Start |
End |
Sign / Element |
January 30, 1911 |
February 17, 1912 |
Metal Pig |
February 16, 1923 |
February 4, 1924 |
Water Pig |
February 4, 1935 |
January 23, 1936 |
Wood Pig |
January 22, 1947 |
February 9, 1948 |
Fire Pig |
February 8, 1959 |
January 27, 1960 |
Earth Pig |
January 27, 1971 |
February 14, 1972 |
Metal Pig |
February 13, 1983 |
February 1, 1984 |
Water Pig |
January 31, 1995 |
February 18, 1996 |
Wood Pig |
February 18, 2007 |
February 6, 2008 |
Fire Pig |
February 5, 2019 |
January 24, 2020 |
Earth Pig |
January 23, 2031 |
February 10, 2032 |
Metal Pig |
February 10, 2043 |
January 29, 2044 |
Water Pig |
January 28, 2055 |
February 14, 2056 |
Wood Pig |
February 14, 2067 |
February 2, 2068 |
Fire Pig |
February 2, 2079 |
January 21, 2080 |
Earth Pig |
Pigs are caring, generous and incapable of lying. They are said to be naive and defenseless, being easily fooled, but Pig natives are good players and forgive those who cheated on them. Frank and honest, they are helpless in the face of the bad faith of others and hate competition and low blows. The Pigs' entire character makes them incapable of concealment, and they cannot stand to be questioned of their honesty. And if they believe everything they are told, they spend their time proving what they are saying.
Particularly tenacious, Pigs always achieve their goal, even if it means deploying incredible energy. They are endowed with a great deal of inner strength and, in the face of adversity, they never panic. Pigs are good at being independent and don't need help making decisions.
Pigs are epicureans and intellectuals who have a great thirst for knowledge. They hate conflicts and quarrels and like to work in an atmosphere where everyone gets along. They are helped all their life because they attract generosity.
Pig natives are happy with their family and very careful that they do not miss anything.
In Chinese astrology, Pigs are equated with wealth and material ease.