Chinese Zodiac Calculator - Find Your Animal Sign & Element

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac (生肖, shēngxiào) is a repeating 12-year cycle in which each year is associated with an animal sign. The twelve animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The Five Elements

Layered on top of the 12-animal cycle is a 10-year cycle of five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth), each lasting two consecutive years. Together they create a 60-year sexagenary cycle (60 = LCM of 12 and 10).

Yin and Yang

Each year alternates between Yang (陽) and Yin (陰) energy. Yang years are generally associated with outward, active energy; Yin years with inward, receptive energy.

Stem-Branch notation

Traditional Chinese calendars express years using a combination of one Heavenly Stem (天干, tiāngān) and one Earthly Branch (地支, dìzhī). For example, 2024 is 甲辰 (Jiǎ-Chén), the Year of the Wood Dragon.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Chinese New Year change when the zodiac changes?

Yes. The Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year (between January 21 and February 20). This means people born in January or early February may belong to the zodiac of the previous Western year. This tool uses the Western year as a simple approximation.

What year is 2024?

2024 is the Year of the Dragon (Wood Dragon).

What year is 2025?

2025 is the Year of the Snake (Wood Snake).

Animal personality associations

Traditional compatibility groups

The 12 animals are traditionally grouped into four compatibility triads:

• Rat, Dragon, Monkey: ambitious and energetic; good partners for business and romance
• Ox, Snake, Rooster: diligent and purposeful; complement each other's persistence
• Tiger, Horse, Dog: passionate and idealistic; share a love of freedom
• Rabbit, Goat, Pig: gentle and artistic; value harmony and peace

Year lookup: 2025–2036