In the Chinese calendar, each year is depicted by one of twelve animals in a repeating cycle known as the Chinese zodiac. Each animal is believed to influence the personality traits, characteristics, and destiny of individuals born in that year.
Chinese Calendar Years and Animals
Below is a handy graph to show you which of the Chinese year animals that you are based on your birth year, based on the Chinese horoscope years
The Chinese zodiac years is an important part of Chinese culture and has also gathered fascination throughout the world. Dating back over 2,000 years, this astrological system has played an important role in shaping beliefs, traditions and daily life in China. From helping to define personalities to helping with matchmaking.
Each of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals symbolizes distinct personalities, influencing everything from individual personal assessment to matchmaking and event planning. Celebrations surrounding the Chinese New Year, such as the Spring Festival, prominently feature the zodiac, with each year marked by a specific animal sign and associated customs and symbolism. It can be considered similar to the Western zodiac, but instead represented by animals.
Most famously, each Chinese New Year brings in a new Chinese animal zodiac as the focus for that year.
Moreover, the imagery of the Chinese zodiac is prevalent in various aspects of art, design, and popular culture, serving as a unique motif in paintings, fashion, literature, and entertainment. Beyond its traditional history, the Chinese zodiac continues to captivate enthusiasts globally, resonating with individuals drawn to astrology, spirituality, and cultural exploration. Specifically the animal of the year from the Chinese zodiac is still celebrated around the world today.
Its continuing relevance shows its longstanding importance to Chinese cultural identity throughout history, and its ability to capture the imagination of people worldwide.
If you’re interested to learn more about Chinese culture, consider starting to learn to speak Chinese, check out this guide to get started: How to Learn Chinese in 6 Months – An Easy Guide
Chinese Calendar Animals by Year – What Does it Say About You?
Below you can find a list of the type of personality each Chinese zodiac animal represents.
- Rat: Intelligent, resourceful, adaptable, and quick-witted. Rats are also known for their charm and social skills.
- Ox: Strong, dependable, hardworking, and patient. Oxen are reliable and diligent workers who value stability and tradition.
- Tiger: Brave, confident, passionate, and competitive. Tigers are natural leaders who are often adventurous and energetic.
- Rabbit: Gentle, compassionate, diplomatic, and intuitive. Rabbits are known for their sensitivity and ability to navigate social situations gracefully.
- Dragon: Powerful, charismatic, ambitious, and confident. Dragons are natural leaders with a magnetic personality and a strong sense of justice.
- Snake: Wise, intuitive, mysterious, and determined. Snakes are often associated with wisdom and cunning, as well as a deep understanding of the human psyche.
- Horse: Independent, energetic, adventurous, and free-spirited. Horses are known for their love of freedom and their strong sense of wanderlust.
- Goat (or Sheep): Calm, gentle, artistic, and empathetic. Goats are creative souls who value harmony and beauty in life.
- Monkey: Clever, curious, mischievous, and sociable. Monkeys are known for their intelligence and their playful, outgoing nature.
- Rooster: Confident, practical, observant, and honest. Roosters are hardworking individuals who are not afraid to speak their minds and stand up for what they believe in.
- Dog: Loyal, honest, friendly, and protective. Dogs are known for their unwavering loyalty and their strong sense of duty towards their loved ones.
- Pig: Kind-hearted, generous, loyal, and sincere. Pigs are often associated with good fortune and prosperity, as well as a love for life’s pleasures.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility / Chinese Horoscope Compatibility
Chinese horoscope zodiac can also be used to indicate their compatibility with another person (and their Chinese zodiac sign) for a potentially successful relationship.
As each of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs possesses unique traits and characteristics, certain signs are believed to complement each other well, while others may clash. By considering the zodiac signs of prospective partners, individuals can gain insights into their compatibility and likelihood of forming a successful and fulfilling relationship.
- Rat (鼠):
- Best Matches: Dragon, Monkey, Ox
- Worst Matches: Horse, Rabbit, Rooster
- Ox (牛):
- Best Matches: Rat, Snake, Rooster
- Worst Matches: Dragon, Horse, Sheep
- Tiger (虎):
- Best Matches: Horse, Dog, Pig
- Worst Matches: Monkey, Snake, Ox
- Rabbit (兔):
- Best Matches: Sheep, Pig, Dog
- Worst Matches: Rat, Rooster, Horse
- Dragon (龙):
- Best Matches: Rat, Monkey, Rooster
- Worst Matches: Dog, Rabbit, Tiger
- Snake (蛇):
- Best Matches: Ox, Rooster, Monkey
- Worst Matches: Pig, Tiger, Monkey
- Horse (马):
- Best Matches: Tiger, Sheep, Dog
- Worst Matches: Rat, Ox, Rabbit
- Goat/Sheep (羊):
- Best Matches: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
- Worst Matches: Ox, Rat, Dog
- Monkey (猴):
- Best Matches: Rat, Dragon, Snake
- Worst Matches: Tiger, Pig, Snake
- Rooster (鸡):
- Best Matches: Ox, Snake, Dragon
- Worst Matches: Rat, Rabbit, Dog
- Dog (狗):
- Best Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse
- Worst Matches: Dragon, Sheep, Rooster
- Pig (猪):
- Best Matches: Rabbit, Sheep, Tiger
- Worst Matches: Snake, Monkey Pig
Comparing Chinese zodiac signs can add an extra layer of personal and relationship insight through a Chinese zodiac compatibility analysis (also known as Chinese horoscope compatibility). Whether you’re a passionate Rat seeking harmony with a Dragon or a steadfast Ox searching for love with a Snake, delving into the Chinese zodiac can offer a unique insight.
To learn more about the Chinese Characters and language, check out this guide.
The Chinese Zodiac Story
The Chinese zodiac story is famous throughout China, taught in schools from a young age.
The story begins with the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven, deciding to select twelve animals to represent the years in the Chinese lunar calendar. To determine the order, he announces a race, inviting all creatures to participate. The first twelve to cross the finish line would claim a year in the zodiac cycle.
Excitement spreads across the animal kingdom as creatures of all shapes and sizes prepare for the race. Among them are the quick-witted Rat, the diligent Ox, the spirited Tiger, the resourceful Rabbit, the noble Dragon, the cunning Snake, the courageous Horse, the steadfast Goat, the sharp-witted Monkey, the loyal Rooster, the kind-hearted Dog, and the gentle Pig.
On the day of the race, the animals gather at the starting line, each eager to secure a place in the zodiac. As the signal is given, they dash off, navigating through forests, rivers, and mountains. The competition is fierce, with every contender determined to outpace the others.
The Rat, known for its intelligence and agility, seizes an opportunity to hitch a ride on the Ox’s back. Just as they approach the finish line, the Rat leaps ahead, claiming the first place. The Ox, unaware of the Rat’s presence, secures the second spot.
The Tiger, third in line, charges through the obstacles with unmatched strength and speed. Close behind is the Rabbit, who cleverly hops across the river by riding on floating logs and stones, claiming fourth place.
Next comes the majestic Dragon, soaring effortlessly through the skies. However, instead of claiming the fifth spot immediately, the Dragon stops to help the struggling Rabbit. Grateful for the assistance, the Jade Emperor rewards the Dragon by naming it the fifth animal in the zodiac, while the Rabbit takes the sixth place.
The Snake, known for its cunning nature, slithers across the ground and secures the seventh spot. The Horse, galloping swiftly, comes in eighth, followed by the Goat in ninth, the Monkey in tenth, the Rooster in eleventh, and the Dog in twelfth.
However, as the race nears its end, the Pig, who had been enjoying a leisurely feast, finally joins the competition. Despite its tardiness, the Pig’s determination and perseverance earn it the twelfth and final place in the zodiac.
As the animals celebrate their positions in the zodiac, they also acknowledge each other’s strengths and qualities. The Jade Emperor, impressed by their efforts and camaraderie, declares that the order of the zodiac will forever be based on the outcome of this legendary race.
Thus, the story of the Chinese zodiac not only explains the order of the twelve animals but also teaches valuable lessons about perseverance, cooperation, and the importance of each creature’s unique characteristics. Through this enduring tale, the Chinese zodiac continues to be a symbol of unity, harmony, and cultural heritage for people around the world.
Chinese Zodiac Years Compared to Asian Zodiacs
The Chinese, Korean, and Japanese zodiacs, while sharing common themes, each possess distinct characteristics reflective of their respective cultures.
As mentioned above, in the Chinese Zodiac, twelve animals represent a twelve-year cycle, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The Korean Zodiac follows a similar structure, with slight variations in the selection and order of animals. It includes animals like the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and others, contributing to cultural practices such as New Year celebrations and folklore in Korea.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Zodiac, known as Etos or Juni Shi, features a unique set of animals, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, and others. Like its Chinese and Korean counterparts, the Japanese zodiac influences astrology, folklore, and cultural rituals such as New Year festivities and shrine visits.
Despite their differences, all three zodiac systems share similarities and perhaps point to the international relationship between these counties, particularly historically.
The Chinese Sexagenary Cycle
The Sexagenary cycle, an integral part of the Chinese calendar system, complements the Chinese zodiac by providing a parallel framework for organizing time.
Consisting of a combination of ten celestial stems and twelve earthly branches, this sixty-year cycle assigns each year a unique pairing of one stem and one branch. While the Chinese zodiac assigns each year an animal sign from its twelve-animal cycle, the Sexagenary cycle adds an additional layer of complexity by adding elements of both yin and yang energy, as well as the five elements of Chinese cosmology (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water).
This system offers a more nuanced understanding of time and fate, influencing not only the personality traits and characteristics associated with each year but also providing insight into broader cosmic forces and cycles.
Together, the Chinese zodiac and the Sexagenary cycle form a comprehensive guide for analyzing destiny, guiding cultural practices, and understanding the passage of time within Chinese astrology and cosmology.
Chinese Horoscope Years – A Summary
The Chinese zodiac is a symbolic system that assigns an animal to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. It is based on the outcome of a legendary race among twelve animals, as recognized by the Jade Emperor. This captivating story not only determines the order of the zodiac but also imparts lessons on perseverance, cooperation, and the value of unique qualities. The Chinese zodiac serves as an enduring symbol of unity, harmony, and cultural heritage worldwide.
