Unlike the Western zodiac (which is based on your month of birth), the Chinese zodiac is based on your birth year. The twelve animals — Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig — cycle in a fixed order, and each year is also coloured by one of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and a yin or yang polarity.
How the cycle works
The legend says the Jade Emperor held a race; the order the animals finished set the cycle. Because the year turns at Lunar New Year (late January or February), anyone born in early January or February should check the exact date — your animal may be the previous year's.
Compatibility
The animals fall into four compatibility trines and six clash pairs. See the full Chinese zodiac compatibility chart for who matches whom, or compare traditions in your sign in every system.
Traditional Chinese astrology associations, offered as an interest-and-belief framework. See our editorial policy.