Chinese Zodiac by Birth Year: Complete Animal Signs Reference Chart

The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year ruled by a specific animal. This comprehensive reference chart helps you find your Chinese zodiac sign by birth year and understand what each animal represents.

Chinese Zodiac Birth Year Chart

Rat (鼠): 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 Ox (牛): 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 Tiger (虎): 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 Rabbit (兔): 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 Dragon (龙): 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 Snake (蛇): 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 Horse (马): 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 Goat (羊): 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 Monkey (猴): 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 Rooster (鸡): 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 Dog (狗): 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 Pig (猪): 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

Important: The Lunar New Year Rule

Your Chinese zodiac sign is not determined by January 1. It follows the lunar calendar, where each new year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This means the lunar New Year always falls between January 21 and February 20. If you were born in January or February, use this simple rule: find the lunar New Year date for your birth year. If you were born before that date, your sign is the previous year's animal. Example: Born on January 25, 2026? The Year of the Horse begins February 17, 2026, so you're still a Snake, not a Horse. For an instant calculation, use our Ba Zi calculator — it automatically handles the lunar calendar conversion.

The Five Element Cycle in Each Year

Beyond the 12 animals, each year is also assigned one of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in a 60-year cycle. A Fire Horse year is different from a Wood Horse year, even though the animal is the same. Check your birth year's element by exploring your birth year stem-branch combination. Your year's element adds another layer to your personality and fortune patterns.

From Animal Sign to Ba Zi

While knowing your birth year animal is the first step, the full picture of your destiny requires analyzing all Four Pillars. Your Month Pillar reveals your career path, your Day Pillar contains your core self (Day Master), and your Hour Pillar shows your legacy. Dive deeper with our complete Ba Zi chart calculation for a fully personalized destiny analysis.

Chinese Zodiac by Birth Year: Complete Animal Signs Reference Chart

Chinese Zodiac Birth Year Chart

Important: The Lunar New Year Rule

The Five Element Cycle in Each Year

From Animal Sign to Ba Zi

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