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The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
Click any animal to see its traits, lucky numbers, and recent years.
About the Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese zodiac (็่, shฤngxiร o) is a classification scheme based on the lunar calendar. It consists of a 12-year cycle, each year named after a different animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Legend of the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited all animals to a great race. The first 12 animals to finish would have a year named in their honor. The order of the zodiac reflects how each animal finished: the clever Rat hitched a ride on the Ox and jumped to first place at the finish line.
Chinese Zodiac Elements
In addition to the 12-year animal cycle, the Chinese zodiac incorporates five elements โ Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water โ that rotate on a 10-year cycle (each element appearing twice โ once as Yang and once as Yin). This creates a 60-year cycle before a full zodiac combination repeats.
For example, 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon. The next Wood Dragon year will be 2084.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Chinese zodiac calculated?
The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar and repeats on a 12-year cycle. Your zodiac animal is determined primarily by your birth year, though technically the Chinese New Year (which falls in late January or February) marks the start of the new zodiac year. This simplified calculator uses the Western year โ if you were born in January or early February, your Chinese zodiac sign may actually be from the previous year.
Is 2024 the year of the Dragon?
Yes. 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. The Dragon is considered the most auspicious of all zodiac signs in Chinese culture. The next Dragon year will be 2036.
What is my element in the Chinese zodiac?
In addition to your animal sign, each year is associated with one of five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. The element changes every two years and repeats on a 10-year cycle. Your birth year determines both your animal and your element โ for example, someone born in 1990 is a Metal Horse.
Which Chinese zodiac sign is the luckiest?
The Dragon is traditionally considered the luckiest and most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac. Dragon years often see increased birth rates in East Asian countries as parents hope to have Dragon babies. The Rat is also considered very fortunate as the first animal in the cycle.