Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/ 'born resembling'), is represented by12 zodiac animals. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Chinese zodiac yearsbegin/end atChinese New Year(in January/February). Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes.
2023is ayear of the Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023, and ending on February 9th, 2024. 2024 is a一年的龙, starting from February 10th, 2024 and ends on January 29th, 2025.
Chinese people believe that a person's horoscope, personality, and love compatibility are closely associated with his/her Chinese zodiac sign, determined by his/her birth year.
Here you can find out all about the Chinese zodiac, including how to discover your Chinese zodiac sign and Chinese horoscope.
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2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Why is the Rabbit ranked 4th in the Chinese zodiac? The video below unveils the secret.
What is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
Each Chinese zodiac year is represented by an animal. The table of Chinese zodiac years below will help you find your zodiac sign fast.
For example, 1991 is a year of the Goat. If you were born in 1991, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Goat, and you are known as a "Goat".
Chinese Zodiac Years
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Years |
|---|---|
| 老鼠 | ...1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020… |
| Ox | …1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021… |
| Tiger | …1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022… |
| Rabbit | … 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 ... |
| Dragon | … 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 … |
| Snake | … 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 … |
| Horse | … 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 … |
| Goat | … 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 … |
| Monkey | … 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 … |
| Rooster | … 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 … |
| Dog | … 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 … |
| Pig | … 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 … |
You may want to read more aboutChinese zodiac years.
For the starting date of a zodiac year, there are two schools of thought in Chinese astrology:Chinese New Yearor the Start of Spring.
- Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21stto February 20th.
- TheStart of Springis the 1stof the24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3rdor 4th.
Answersfrom this page
The Chinese zodiac is a system that assigns an animal to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. Each animal sign is believed to represent different personality traits, fortunes, and prospects for the people born in that year. The 12 animals in the zodiac cycle are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal has its unique characteristics, symbolism, and cultural significance, which have been passed down through generations.
The Chinese zodiac is based on a combination of astronomy, astrology, and mythology. It dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and has been used in China for thousands of years as a tool for fortune-telling, matchmaking, and personal and social guidance. The zodiac signs are also associated with the five elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which further add to the complexity of the system.
Today, the Chinese zodiac is widely recognized and celebrated worldwide, and many people follow its predictions and customs. It is an essential part of Chinese culture and serves as a bridge between the past and the present, connecting generations and promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
今年(2023)的水abbit according to the Chinese zodiac. The Rabbit is the fourth animal sign in the zodiac cycle and is associated with good fortune, happiness, and peacefulness. People born in the year of the Rabbit are believed to be gentle, compassionate, and creative, with a strong sense of family and community.
The Rabbit is also associated with the Wood element, which is believed to symbolize growth, prosperity, and optimism. In Chinese astrology, the combination of the animal sign and the element can provide more specific predictions and insights into a person's personality and destiny.
The year of the Rabbit is considered an auspicious year for many things, such as starting a new business, getting married, or having a child. It is also a time to focus on building and strengthening relationships, pursuing personal growth and development, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.
Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.
Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.
The Chinese zodiac is deeply embedded in Chinese culture and is often used in daily life to predict fortune and compatibility. Many people in China consult their zodiac sign when making important decisions, such as choosing a career, getting married, or starting a business. They may also use their zodiac sign to gain insight into their personality traits and tendencies.
In addition to personal use, the Chinese zodiac is also incorporated into various public events and festivals throughout the year. For example, during Chinese New Year celebrations, people often exchange gifts and greetings based on their zodiac sign. They may also attend special events and performances that feature the animals of the zodiac.
Overall, the Chinese zodiac serves as a cultural symbol of unity and connection in China. It is an integral part of daily life and remains a powerful tool for self-discovery and social interaction.
The Chinese zodiac has a significant influence on many cultures around the world, particularly those in East Asia. Countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam have adapted the Chinese zodiac into their own culture and often incorporate it into their daily lives.
In addition, the Chinese zodiac has also gained popularity in Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Europe. Many people in these regions are fascinated by the mystique and symbolism of the zodiac and use it as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
Overall, the Chinese zodiac has served as a powerful cultural bridge, connecting people across continents and promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Its influence continues to grow and evolve as people around the world embrace its timeless wisdom and enduring appeal.
Most Chinese people use Chinese New Year as the start of the zodiac year. This is popular Chinese astrology. Only traditionalists and professional astrologers use the first solar term.
Therefore, for example if you wereborn in January or Februaryin 1997, you might be an Ox or a Rat.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator below to be sure.
Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Click the picture below to check each animal sign's horoscope, personality, love compatibility, etc. in detail.
Chinese Zodiac Signs' Personality
Chinese zodiac animals have astrological and cultural meanings. Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. It's believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year's animal.
老鼠: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.
Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.
Tiger: brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.
Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.
Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.
Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.
Horse: animated, active, energetic.
Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.
Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.
Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.
Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.
Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.
Chinese Zodiac Signs' Lucky/Unlucky Things
幸运的事情
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Lucky Numbers | Lucky Colors | Lucky Flowers | Lucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 老鼠 | 2, 3 | blue, gold, green | lily, African violet | west, northwest and southwest |
| Ox | 1, 4 | white, yellow, green | tulip, peach blossom | north, south |
| Tiger | 1, 3, 4 | blue, gray, orange | yellow lily, cineraria | east, north, south |
| Rabbit | 3, 4, 6 | red, pink, purple, blue | plantain lily, jasmine | east, south and northwest |
| Dragon | 1, 6, 7 | gold, silver, grayish white | bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers | east, north, south |
| Snake | 2, 8, 9 | black, red, and yellow | orchid and cactus | east, west, and southwest |
| Horse | 2, 3, 7 | yellow and green | 马蹄莲和茉莉花 | east, west, and south |
| Goat | 2, 7 | brown, red, and purple | carnations and primroses | north |
| Monkey | 4, 9 | white, blue, gold | chrysanthemum, crape myrtle | north, northwest, west |
| Rooster | 5, 7, 8 | gold, brown, and yellow | gladiola, cockscomb | south, southeast |
| Dog | 3, 4, 9 | red, green, and purple | rose, cymbidium orchids | east, south, and northeast |
| Pig | 2, 5, 8 | yellow, gray, brown, gold | hydrangea and daisy | east and southwest |
Unlucky Things
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Unlucky Numbers | Unlucky Colors | Unlucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 老鼠 | 5, 9 | yellow, brown | south and southeast |
| Ox | 5, 6 | blue | southwest |
| Tiger | 6, 7, 8 | brown | southwest |
| Rabbit | 1, 7, 8 | dark brown, dark yellow, white | north, west, and southwest |
| Dragon | 3, 8 | blue, green | northwest |
| Snake | 1, 6, 7 | brown, gold, white | northeast and northwest |
| Horse | 1, 5, 6 | blue, white | north and northwest |
| Goat | 4, 9 | blue and black | southwest |
| Monkey | 2, 7 | red, pink | south, southeast |
| Rooster | 1, 3, 9 | red | east |
| Dog | 1, 6, 7 | blue, white, gold | southeast |
| Pig | 1, 7 | red, blue, green | southeast |
Chinese ZodiacCompatibility- Is He/She Right for You?
Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
An important use of the Chinese zodiac is todetermine if two people are compatiblein a romantic relationship... or any kind of relationship. Zodiac compatibility is usually checked before getting married in China.
People born in a certain zodiac animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which determines their personality traits and could either help or hinder a relationship.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Calculator
Best Matches for the 12 Zodiac Signs
- 老鼠: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey
- Ox: Rat, Snake, or Rooster
- Tiger: Horse, Dog, or Pig
- Rabbit: Goat, Dog, or Pig
- Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster
- Snake: Ox or Rooster
- Horse: Tiger, Goat, or Dog
- Goat:兔,马,羊,猪
- Monkey: Rat, Dragon, or Dog
- Rooster: Ox, Dragon, or Snake
- Dog: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey
- Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat
What is the luckiest/unluckiest Chinese zodiac sign?
In Chinese culture, the top 5 luckiest/most popular zodiac signs areDragon,Snake,Pig,老鼠, andTigerconventionally.
There is a popular Chinese folk saying that 9/10 Goats are inadequate (十羊九不全 '10 Goats 9 incomplete'), which implies that most people born in a year of the Goat are destined for bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that people born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. Although this is an outdated superstition, it has a real effect on Chinese society.
Conversely, theDragon is the most coveted zodiac sign, with Chinese births peaking in Dragon years.
老鼠ionally, it's hard to identify the luckiest or unluckiest zodiac signs, as each sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. Socially, different combinations of zodiac signs cause different relational dynamics, which may affect someone's life more, as we don't live in isolation.
Which Zodiac Animal Signs Are Lucky in the Year of the Rabbit 2023
Firstly come Oxes, Tigers, and Snakes. Then, with not quite so much luck, come Dogs, Horses, Goats, and Pigs. Rabbits' and Rats' fortunes will be influenced by 'opposition to Tai Sui'. Roosters and Monkeys will have to work especially hard to make headway.
Read more on theyear of the Rabbitincluding the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs' Horoscopes for 2023.
2023 is the benmingnian (本命年 'origin of life year') for those people born under the Rabbit sign. Read more onHow to Make Good Luck in Your Zodiac Year Easily.
Which Zodiac Animal Signs Are Lucky in the Year of the Dragon 2024?
According to Chinese zodiac predictions, Dragons, Goats, Dogs, Oxes, and Rabbits will face challenges this year due to opposing Tai Sui (Jupiter), the deity governing fortune. The luckiest zodiac signs are predicted to be Monkeys, Roosters, and Pigs. For more insights, we present the fortunes of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs below.
Chinese Zodiac Horoscope 2023/2024
2023 is a year of the Rabbit, and 2024 is a year of the Dragon. Click the animal signs below to learn about each Chinese zodiac animal's horoscope in 2023/2024.
- 老鼠
- OX
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
老鼠s' Horoscope in 2023:
Entering 2023, the fortune of you老鼠people is generally good, but due to being in tangential opposition to Tai Sui (the age star), you will encounter some obstacles and your overall horoscope will be one of ups and downs. Be cautious and not impulsive in your actions during this year.
Read more onMonthly Horoscope for Rats in 2023.
老鼠s' Horoscope for 2024
老鼠s, you can expect some challenges in 2024 and your career will be affected by inauspicious stars. It's also not the right time to make investments. But you should not be too nervous as you will be in harmony with Tai Sui in 2024.
The Chinese Zodiac Story: Explaining the Order and Why There’s No Cat
Do you know why the 12 Chinese zodiac animals are in their fixed sequence from Rat to Pig?
The sequence of the 12 signs is popularly explained by a myth about when the Jade Emperor (the supreme immortal) wanted toselect 12 animals to be his guards. All creatures on Earth were summoned toparticipate in a race. The earlier one went through the Heavenly Gate, the better the rank one would have.
- 老鼠andOxgot up very early. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped onto the back of the Ox to cross the river. He won first place by suddenly jumping down from Ox's back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor when they're near to the Heavenly Gate. Ox was second.
- TigerandRabbitcame third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but Tiger was faster.
- Good-lookingDragonwas fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. Just then,Snakecame forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.
- HorseandGoatarrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. They were ranked seventh and eighth.
- Monkeyhad fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last wereRooster,Dog, andPig.
Why is the cat not one of the 12 zodiac animals? It is said that Cat and Rat got as far as crossing the river together on Ox's back, but Rat pushed Cat into the water. Cat was washed away and didn't get to the Heavenly Gate in time to get a ranking. After that a great enmity grew between Cat and Rat, so that rats scatter in all directions when a cat appears.
The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Though it is made up, it might be interesting for you to tell your children and friends.
Actually, the 12 animals were chosen very deliberately by the ancients, after many revisions. The zodiac animals are either closely related to ancient Chinese people's daily lives or have lucky meanings in ancient Chinese culture.
What are the differences between Chinese zodiac and western astrology?
Themain similarity在两个系统间是两个系统based on time periods of birth, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes.
However, there arebig differencesin their origins and astrological theory.
与Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs are derived from the ancients' musings about archetypal animals, people's personalities and fortunes, and their relationships with one another and years of birth. A神话对适乐时ial racewas later developed to explain the Chinese zodiac sequence.
This differs fromWestern astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations' positions relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the stars supposed influence on human personalities and lives.
In addition, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on ayear-by-yearbase while the Western zodiac corresponds with "months".
Read more onDifferences between the Chinese Zodiac and Western Astrology.
Chinese Zodiac in Other Asian Countries
The Chinese zodiac has a great influence on several other Asian countries, such as theSouthKorea,Japan,Vietnam,Singapore,Thailand, andMyanmar. In some countries, the zodiac signs are the same as the Chinese ones, while some of the animals differ in other countries.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These animal signs are exactly the same inSouth Korea,North Korea,Singapore, andCambodia.
- The 12Japanese十二生肖动物in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, andBoar.
- The 12Vietnamese十二生肖动物in order are: Rat,Buffalo, Tiger,Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
- The 12Thai十二生肖动物in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit,Naga(a mythical half-human-half-snake spirit), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
- The 8Burmese十二生肖动物are:Garuda(a mythical bird), Tiger, Lion, Elephant (with tusks), Rat,Guinea Pig, and Dragon.
