The 12 Chinese zodiac signs are, in order, the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each rules one year in a repeating 12-year cycle, and your sign is set by the year you were born.
This guide lists all 12 with their recent years and traits, shows how to find yours, covers the luckiest signs, how compatibility works, and what the 5 elements add.
What are the 12 Chinese zodiac signs?
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals each carry a set of traditional personality traits. Here they are with their most recent birth years.
| Sign | Recent years | Key traits |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984 | Quick-witted, resourceful, charming |
| Ox | 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985 | Steady, hardworking, dependable |
| Tiger | 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986 | Brave, competitive, confident |
| Rabbit | 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987 | Gentle, diplomatic, artistic |
| Dragon | 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988 | Charismatic, ambitious, lucky |
| Snake | 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989 | Wise, private, intuitive |
| Horse | 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990 | Energetic, independent, free-spirited |
| Goat | 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991 | Kind, creative, calm |
| Monkey | 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980 | Clever, playful, adaptable |
| Rooster | 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981 | Observant, honest, hardworking |
| Dog | 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982 | Loyal, fair, protective |
| Pig | 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983 | Generous, sincere, easygoing |
How do you find your Chinese zodiac sign?
To find your Chinese zodiac sign, match your birth year to the list above, but check the date if you were born in January or early February. The Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20, so a birthday before it belongs to the previous year’s animal.
- Born after Chinese New Year: use your birth year’s animal.
- Born Jan 1 to the New Year date: use the previous year’s animal.
- Not sure of the exact 1987 cutoff? See our detailed guide to zodiac signs 1987 as a worked example.
Unlike the Western zodiac, which changes by month, the Chinese zodiac changes by year, so everyone born in the same lunar year shares an animal.
What are the luckiest Chinese zodiac signs?
The Dragon is traditionally seen as the luckiest Chinese zodiac sign, linked to power, success, and good fortune. The Snake, Pig, and Rat are also commonly named among the more fortunate signs.
- Dragon: the only mythical animal, associated with authority and prosperity. Dragon years often see a rise in birth rates in some regions because of the reputation.
- Snake: linked to wisdom and wealth, sometimes called “little dragon.”
- Pig: associated with comfort, abundance, and contentment.
- Rat: first in the cycle, tied to resourcefulness and financial savvy.
These are cultural associations, not predictions. Every sign has fortunate and difficult years within the wider cycle.
How does Chinese zodiac compatibility work?
Chinese zodiac compatibility is based on 4 “trines,” groups of 3 signs that get along well, and 6 pairs of “clashing” signs that sit directly opposite each other.
| Trine | Signs | Shared style |
|---|---|---|
| First | Rat, Dragon, Monkey | Ambitious, quick, action-oriented |
| Second | Ox, Snake, Rooster | Determined, methodical, private |
| Third | Tiger, Horse, Dog | Independent, idealistic, loyal |
| Fourth | Rabbit, Goat, Pig | Gentle, artistic, home-loving |
The 6 clash pairs are Rat and Horse, Ox and Goat, Tiger and Monkey, Rabbit and Rooster, Dragon and Dog, and Snake and Pig. A clash does not doom a relationship, but tradition says it takes more work.
A practical way to read this: the trine tells you where a relationship starts with an easy shared rhythm, and the clash tells you where two people are likely to want different things, such as pace, structure, or how much independence each needs. A Rat and a Horse, for example, can be a strong pair, but the Rat’s love of planning and the Horse’s need to keep options open is the friction point to name early rather than let it build. As with Western astrology, a full reading also looks at the month, day, and hour of birth, not the year alone, so treat the animal match as a first sketch.
What do the 5 elements add?
Each animal year also carries one of 5 elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water, which cycle over 60 years and shade the animal’s personality.
- Wood: growth, cooperation, kindness.
- Fire: passion, energy, boldness.
- Earth: stability, patience, practicality.
- Metal: discipline, focus, strength.
- Water: adaptability, sensitivity, insight.
So a 1987 Rabbit is a Fire Rabbit, warmer and more outgoing than other Rabbits, while 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. For the parallel idea in Western astrology, see our guide to zodiac elements.
Frequently asked questions
What is my Chinese zodiac sign?
Match your birth year to the 12-animal cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. If you were born in January or early February, check whether your birthday falls before that year’s Chinese New Year, in which case you take the previous year’s animal.
What are the luckiest Chinese signs?
The Dragon is considered the luckiest, tied to power and prosperity. The Snake, Pig, and Rat are also often listed among the more fortunate signs. These are traditional associations, not guarantees.
What are the 12 Chinese zodiacs by year?
In cycle order: Rat (2020), Ox (2021), Tiger (2022), Rabbit (2023), Dragon (2024), Snake (2025), Horse (2026), Goat (2027), Monkey (2028), Rooster (2029), Dog (2030), Pig (2031). Subtract 12 for earlier years in the same sign.
How does Chinese zodiac compatibility work?
Signs are grouped into 4 trines of 3 that naturally get along, such as Rat, Dragon, and Monkey. Six clash pairs sit opposite each other, like Rat and Horse or Rabbit and Rooster, and are said to need more effort.
What is the difference between the Chinese and Western zodiac?
The Western zodiac assigns a sign by birth month based on the sun’s position, with 12 signs across the year. The Chinese zodiac assigns an animal by birth year on a 12-year cycle, plus one of 5 elements over a 60-year cycle.
Let your sign point you inward
Your animal is a mirror, not a forecast. The useful part is noticing which traits you lean on and which ones trip you up.
The universe keeps sending you signs. Get one in your inbox every morning, join the free daily message from the universe. To pair the reflection with a practice, start with our guide to how manifesting works.