Chinese Zodiac Signs by Year
Each animal returns every 12 years. Find your birth year to find your sign — but if you were born in January or early February, calculate above, because the zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year.
| Animal | Element | Birth years |
|---|---|---|
| Rat The Clever Strategist | Water · Yang | 2032, 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936 |
| Ox The Steadfast Cultivator | Earth · Yin | 2033, 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937 |
| Tiger The Bold Initiator | Wood · Yang | 2034, 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938 |
| Rabbit The Graceful Diplomat | Wood · Yin | 2035, 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939 |
| Dragon The Visionary Force | Earth · Yang | 2036, 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940 |
| Snake The Perceptive Mystic | Fire · Yin | 2037, 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941 |
| Horse The Free Spirit | Fire · Yang | 2038, 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942 |
| Goat The Empathic Artist | Earth · Yin | 2039, 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943 |
| Monkey The Inventive Improviser | Metal · Yang | 2040, 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944 |
| Rooster The Precise Observer | Metal · Yin | 2041, 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945 |
| Dog The Loyal Guardian | Earth · Yang | 2042, 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946 |
| Pig The Sincere Optimist | Water · Yin | 2043, 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947 |
How the Chinese Zodiac Years Work
The Chinese zodiac, also called the Chinese horoscope, runs on a repeating twelve-year cycle of animals. Your birth year sets your Year Animal, from the quick-witted Rat to the easygoing Pig.
The one catch is the calendar. The zodiac year follows the moon, so it begins at Chinese New Year — somewhere between late January and mid-February — not on January 1. If you were born in that window, your sign may be the previous year's animal, which is why the calculator reads your full birth date.
Your animal is the best-known layer, but not the whole chart. A full reading also weighs your Day Master and the balance of the five elements for a far more personal picture.
Chinese zodiac year questions
How do I find my Chinese zodiac sign by year?
Find your birth year in the table above. Each Chinese zodiac animal repeats every twelve years, so your birth year sets your sign. If you were born in January or early February, calculate your exact sign above, because the zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year, not January 1.
Why does the Chinese zodiac year not start on January 1?
The Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar, so each animal year begins at Chinese New Year, which falls between late January and mid-February. Anyone born in that window may belong to the previous year's animal, which is why the calculator uses your full birth date.
What are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order?
The cycle runs Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, then repeats. 2020 was the year of the Rat, so 2021 was the Ox, 2022 the Tiger, and so on.
Is the Chinese zodiac just my birth year?
Your birth year gives your Year Animal, the most well-known part. A full reading (BaZi, or the Four Pillars) also reads your Day Master and elemental balance from your birth date for a much deeper picture. Calculate yours above.