CHINESE ZODIAC SIGNS

The Chinese zodiac signs are determined by the lunar year in which you were born. The Chinese believe the animal ruling one's birth year has a profound influence on personality, and destiny. The saying is: "This animal hides in your heart."
Unlike Western astrology, it does not look the heavenly constellations or planets to predict one's destiny. Rather, Chinese astrology deals with divining sciences of wuxing or the five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, wood), Yin and Yang, Chi, and the cycles of time.

Legend has it that inception of the Chinese zodiac signs began when the Buddha beckoned all the animals to bid him farewell before his departure from the Earth. Only twelve arrived at his summoning, and so those were given a place of honor in a year being named after each.

You can determine your animal sign by referring to the year you were born and matching it up with the corresponding animal in the chart below.

Years Corresponding to Chinese Zodiac Signs:

Rat 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020
Ox 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021
Tiger 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022
Rabbit 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023
Dragon 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024
Snake 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025
Horse 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026
Sheep 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027
Monkey 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028
Rooster 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029
Dog 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030
Boar 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031

Rat:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Dragon & Monkey
Characteristics: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable (2008 is the year of the Rat, click here for more information about this on my blog)



Ox:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Snake & Rooster
Characteristics: Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined



Tiger:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Horse & Dog
Characteristics: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic Click here for more Chinese symbolic meanings for Tiger.



Rabbit:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Sheep & Boar
Characteristics: Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers



Dragon:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Rat & Monkey
Characteristics: Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic


Snake:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Rooster & Ox
Characteristics: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive



Horse:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Dog & Tiger
Characteristics: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong (see also Horse symbol meanings.



Sheep:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Boar & Rabbit
Characteristics: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm



Monkey:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Dragon & Rat
Characteristics: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart



Rooster:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Snake & Ox
Characteristics: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. For more information on Rooster Symbol meanings, click here.



Dog:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Tiger & Horse
Characteristics: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart



Boar:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Sheep & Rabbit
Characteristics: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable