In this post, we’ll discover the intriguing origin story of the Chinese lunar year based zodiac system, understand the unique characteristics associated with each of the 12 animals, and even explore how the Chinese zodiac compares to the Western zodiac system we’re more familiar with. So if you’ve ever been curious about why the Rat is first in the cycle, or why the Dragon is the only mythical creature included, stay tuned! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey filled with wisdom, adventure, and understanding.
Scroll down to the table to find your Chinese Zodiac Animal according to your birth year (and date).
The Chinese Zodiac
In the Chinese zodiac, the animal sign that a person falls under is determined by their birth year in the context of the Chinese lunar calendar. Unlike the Western zodiac where the sign changes roughly every month, each Chinese zodiac sign lasts for an entire lunar year. Let’s break this down in a way that’s easy to understand.
How It Works
The Chinese zodiac operates on a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. This means that the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, generally between January 21 and February 20.
This is why people born in January or February may need to check exactly when the Chinese New Year fell in their birth year to know their Chinese zodiac sign.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a different animal sign.
The Order of the Animals:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
To find out your Chinese zodiac sign, you simply look at the Chinese lunar year you were born in.
For example, the Year of the Rat includes those born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020. If you were born in one of these years, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Rat.
Let’s say someone was born on February 10, 1994. The Chinese New Year in 1994 fell on February 10, so this person was born on the cusp, but they would be considered born in the Year of the Rooster (1993 was the Year of the Rooster, and 1994 after February 10 was the Year of the Dog). If they were born a day later, on February 11, 1994, they would be considered born in the Year of the Dog.
If you were born in January or February, it’s essential to check the exact date of the Chinese New Year in your birth year to ensure you’re identifying your correct Chinese zodiac sign.
Chinese Zodiac Animal Table
It’s all pretty straightforward once you know the cycle and consider the lunar calendar.
Below, you’ll find a precise table that will show your Chinese zodiac animal based on the year (and date) of your birth. Search by year by typing your birth year into the search box.
Chinese Zodiac Lunar Years and Animals
Origin Story of China’s Zodiac
Many moons ago, the Jade Emperor (a major deity in Chinese mythology) wanted to decide the years on the calendar. So he called on all the animals for a race. The first twelve animals to finish would each have a year named after them. The rat, clever and quick, hitched a ride on the ox’s back and jumped off at the last second to win first place. Following them in order were the tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The order of their arrival is the order of the years on the Chinese zodiac calendar.
Let’s compare Chinese, versus Western, Zodiac signs, Charts, and animals
The Chinese zodiac is quite different from the Western zodiac. The Western zodiac is based on the months of the year and follows the solar calendar, with each sign lasting for about a month. The Chinese zodiac, on the other hand, is based on the lunar calendar, and each sign lasts for a year. In the Western zodiac, there are 12 signs based on constellations, while in the Chinese zodiac, the signs are represented by 12 different animals.
Let’s take a quick look at each of them.
Rat
In the Chinese zodiac, the Rat is the first animal. Rats are seen as resourceful and intelligent. The story goes that during the great race, the Rat cleverly rode on the Ox’s back, jumping off at the last moment to win the race. This action represents the Rat’s ingenuity and cleverness. People born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be quick witted, resourceful, and adaptable.
Ox
Next comes the Ox, strong and reliable. In the race, the Ox was in the lead for most of the time because of its steady and unwavering nature. But just before the finish line, the Rat leaped off its back and claimed first place. Nevertheless, Ox people are seen as hardworking, honest, and humble individuals.
Tiger
Logically, the third animal in the cycle is the Tiger. Even with its might and strength, the Tiger finished third because of the current of the river in the race. It had to fight against the currents, showing its bravery and resilience. People born in the Year of the Tiger are believed to be courageous, confident, and ambitious.
Rabbit
Following the Tiger, we have the Rabbit as the fourth animal in the Chinese Zodiac. The story goes that the Rabbit, not being a good swimmer, hopped across stones and logs to cross the river in the great race. At one point, it even grabbed hold of a floating log to get to the other side. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are seen as gentle, quiet, and polite, much like the animal itself. They are also believed to be intelligent and kind.
Dragon
The fifth animal in the Zodiac is the Dragon, a mythical creature, and the only one in the Chinese Zodiac. You might wonder why such a powerful and flying creature did not win the race. Well, the Dragon was busy helping some villagers by bringing rain to their crops. After performing this good deed, the Dragon flew to the finish line, arriving fifth. Individuals born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be intelligent, ambitious, and passionate.
Snake
Next up is the Snake, coming in sixth place. The story here is pretty interesting. The Snake cleverly wrapped itself around the Horse’s leg, staying hidden for the whole race. As the Horse neared the finish line, the Snake startled it by suddenly appearing, and that’s how the Snake secured the sixth place. People born in the Year of the Snake are considered to be wise, charming, and graceful.
Horse
Now, the Horse arrives in seventh place in the Zodiac. Despite its speed and strength, it was surprised by the Snake, causing it to fall back to the seventh place in the race. People born under the sign of the Horse are seen as warm hearted, enthusiastic, and positive.
Goat
The eighth position in the Chinese Zodiac is held by the Goat. The Goat, Monkey, and Rooster found a raft, and together they managed to cross the river. The Goat was very harmonious and made great contributions to the teamwork, which is why it secured the eighth position. People born in the Year of the Goat are often considered to be sympathetic, cooperative, and kind-hearted.
Monkey
The Monkey claims the ninth spot in the Zodiac. As part of the trio with the Goat and Rooster, the Monkey’s intelligence and agility played a crucial role in navigating the raft across the river. Those born in the Year of the Monkey are believed to be clever, skilled, and very innovative.
Rooster
In tenth place, we find the Rooster. Along with the Goat and Monkey, the Rooster was a key team player in the raft journey across the river in the great race. The Rooster’s keen sense and sharp observation helped the team find the raft in the first place. Individuals born in the Year of the Rooster are thought to be observant, hardworking, and courageous.
Dog
Now, coming to the Dog, which is eleventh in the Zodiac order. Despite being a good swimmer, the Dog ended up in the eleventh place because it was having too much fun playing and splashing in the water! People born in the Year of the Dog are seen as loyal, responsible, and honest.
Pig
Last but not the least, the twelfth animal in the Chinese Zodiac is the Pig. The Pig was late because it got hungry during the race and stopped for a feast. Then it fell asleep! When it finally woke up, it hurried to the finish line, arriving last. Those born in the Year of the Pig are believed to be generous, compassionate, and easy-going.
And there you have it, the stories behind each of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The tales highlight their characteristics and the qualities believed to be possessed by the people born in each corresponding year.
Ultimately, the Chinese Zodiac is a rich and colorful aspect of Chinese culture, filled with symbolism and ancient traditions.
It’s really interesting to dive deeper into these zodiac systems. Now, it’s crucial to remember that the Western and Chinese zodiac systems are fundamentally different and operate independently of each other, so they don’t correlate directly.
They’re based on different calendars, beliefs, and stories.
Chinese and Western Zodiac Parallels
Just for fun, some people like to draw parallels between the two by looking at the characteristics associated with the signs.
Below, the following table illustrates the way that the animals of the Chinese Zodiac match up with the constellations of the Western Zodiac as it pertains to characteristics and personality traits.
Remember, this is more of an interesting exercise in comparing characteristics rather than any established or traditional correlation.
Most importantly, the two zodiac systems are distinct and have their own unique histories and attributes.
And there you have it, folks! We’ve journeyed through the tales of the Great Race, met each of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, and even uncovered their unique attributes and characteristics. Remember, whether you’re a courageous Tiger, a resourceful Rat, or a compassionate Pig, each sign holds its own special significance and charm. If you’re born close to the start of the Chinese New Year, don’t forget to double-check your zodiac sign as the lunar calendar dates change year to year.
If you enjoyed this post and learned something new, don’t forget to leave a comment, and share it with your friends. Come again for more exciting content.
Until next time, keep exploring, and embrace the animal within you!
And, as always, thanks for stopping by.