One companion · four traditions · meet the cast
The Chinese Zodiac
Twelve animals, one repeating cycle of temperaments. Find yours by birth date — the year turns at the Start of Spring, not January 1 — then meet the animal properly.
What is my zodiac animal?
Zodiac years begin at 立春 (Start of Spring, around February 4) — January and early-February births usually belong to the previous animal. Our lookup corrects for this automatically.
Rat鼠
Water · 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984…
Ox牛
Earth · 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985…
Tiger虎
Wood · 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986…
Rabbit兔
Wood · 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987…
Dragon龍
Earth · 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988…
Snake蛇
Fire · 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989…
Horse馬
Fire · 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990…
Goat羊
Earth · 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991…
Monkey猴
Metal · 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992…
Rooster雞
Metal · 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993…
Dog狗
Earth · 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994…
Pig豬
Water · 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995…
Find your birth year
Every year has its own page: animal, element, the exact Start of Spring window, and what that year made of the people born in it.
Chinese zodiac FAQ
How do I find my Chinese zodiac animal?
Your animal comes from your birth year on the 12-year cycle — but the year begins at the Start of Spring (立春, around February 4), not January 1. If you were born in January or early February, you most likely belong to the previous year's animal. Use the lookup above; it applies the boundary automatically.
What do the five elements add to the zodiac?
Each animal carries a fixed element (the Rat is Water, the Ox is Earth, and so on), while the birth year's heavenly stem adds a rotating element — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. The combination is why 1996 is a Fire Rat year while 2008 is an Earth Rat year, and why the full cycle takes 60 years.
Is zodiac compatibility real?
Trines and clashes describe folkloric temperament pairings — which energies traditionally amplify or grate on each other. They are a lens for reflection, not a verdict on any real relationship. Two "clashing" people with real respect beat two "compatible" ones without it, every time.