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Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Chinese zodiac signs are determined by the lunar year in which you were born. The
Chinese believe the animal ruling one's birth year has a profound influence on personality, and
destiny. The saying is: "This animal hides in your heart."
Unlike Western astrology, it does not look the heavenly constellations or planets to
predict one's destiny. Rather, Chinese astrology deals with divining sciences of
wuxing or the five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, wood), Yin and Yang, Chi,
and the cycles of time.
Legend has it that inception of the Chinese zodiac signs began when the Buddha beckoned all the animals to bid him farewell before his departure from the Earth. Only twelve arrived at his summoning, and so those were given a place of
honor in a year being named after each.
You can determine your animal sign by referring to the year you were born and matching
it up with the corresponding animal in the chart below.
Years Corresponding to Chinese Zodiac Signs:
| Rat |
1900 |
1912 |
1924 |
1936 |
1948 |
1960 |
1972 |
1984 |
1996 |
2008 |
2020 |
| Ox |
1901 |
1913 |
1925 |
1937 |
1949 |
1961 |
1973 |
1985 |
1997 |
2009 |
2021 |
| Tiger |
1902 |
1914 |
1926 |
1938 |
1950 |
1962 |
1974 |
1986 |
1998 |
2010 |
2022 |
| Rabbit |
1903 |
1915 |
1927 |
1939 |
1951 |
1963 |
1975 |
1987 |
1999 |
2011 |
2023 |
| Dragon |
1904 |
1916 |
1928 |
1940 |
1952 |
1964 |
1976 |
1988 |
2000 |
2012 |
2024 |
| Snake |
1905 |
1917 |
1929 |
1941 |
1953 |
1965 |
1977 |
1989 |
2001 |
2013 |
2025 |
| Horse |
1906 |
1918 |
1930 |
1942 |
1954 |
1966 |
1978 |
1990 |
2002 |
2014 |
2026 |
| Sheep |
1907 |
1919 |
1931 |
1943 |
1955 |
1967 |
1979 |
1991 |
2003 |
2015 |
2027 |
| Monkey |
1908 |
1920 |
1932 |
1944 |
1956 |
1968 |
1980 |
1992 |
2004 |
2016 |
2028 |
| Rooster |
1909 |
1921 |
1933 |
1945 |
1957 |
1969 |
1981 |
1993 |
2005 |
2017 |
2029 |
| Dog |
1910 |
1922 |
1934 |
1946 |
1958 |
1970 |
1982 |
1994 |
2006 |
2018 |
2030 |
| Boar |
1911 |
1923 |
1935 |
1947 |
1959 |
1971 |
1983 |
1995 |
2007 |
2019 |
2031 |
Below are the Chinese Zodiac signs, and the characteristics that correspond to each one.
Rat:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Dragon & Monkey
Characteristics: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable (2008 is the year of the Rat, click here for more information about this on my blog)
Ox:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Snake & Rooster
Characteristics: Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined
Tiger:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Horse & Dog
Characteristics: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic
Click here for more Chinese symbolic meanings for Tiger.
Rabbit:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Sheep & Boar
Characteristics: Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers
Dragon:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Rat & Monkey
Characteristics: Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic
Snake:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Rooster & Ox
Characteristics: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive
Horse:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Dog & Tiger
Characteristics: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong (see also Horse symbol meanings.
Sheep:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Boar & Rabbit
Characteristics: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm
Monkey:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Dragon & Rat
Characteristics: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart
Rooster:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Snake & Ox
Characteristics: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident.
For more information on
Rooster Symbol meanings, click here.
Dog:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Tiger & Horse
Characteristics: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart
Boar:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Sheep & Rabbit
Characteristics: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable
Learn More Today!
Learn more about the Chinese calendar and the Chinese New Year today! There are great kids activities out there that teach about the Chinese calendar and Chinese zodiac! A lot of kids don't know about different calendars around the world, but if you use an activity they can actively learn so they retain the knowledge.
Chinese Symbols Main Page
Chinese Animal Symbols
Chinese Dragons
Chinese Symbol for Longevity
Chinese Flower Symbols
Common Chinese Symbols and Meanings
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Chinese Yin Yang Symbols
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