The Chinese zodiac consists of a 12 year cycle , each year of which is named after a different animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. Many Chinese believe that the year of a person's birth is the primary factor in determining that person's personality traits, physical and mental attributes and degree of success and happiness throughout his/her lifetime.
Find out your Animal Sign from the Years listed.
Origin
Similar to the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, animals in Chinese zodiac were also created for counting years as the system that is now universally accepted based on the Christian calendar was as yet non-existent. The selection and order of the animals that influence people's lives very much was originated in the Han Dynasty (202BC – 220AD) and based upon each animal's character and living habits. The old time division was mostly related to number 12: one ji equals 12 years, one year has 12 months, one day has 12 time periods called shi chen. Ancient people observe that there are 12 full moons within one year. So, its origin is associated with astronomy. Each animal sign is usually related with an earthly branch, so the animal years were called zi rabbit, chou ox, yin tiger, mao rabbit, chen dragon, si snack, wu horse, wei sheep, shen monkey, you rooster, xu dog and hai pig.
The Rat - 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Ambitious and honest. prone to spend freely, seldom making lasting friendships.
Most compatible with Dragons and Monkeys. Least compatible with Horses.
The Ox - 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Bright, Patient and Inspiring to others. You can be happy by yourself yet make an outstanding parent.
Marry a cock or a snake. The sheep will bring trouble.
The Tiger - 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Tiger people are aggressive, courageous,candid and sensitive.
Look to the horse and dog for happiness. Beware of the monkey.
The Rabbit - 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Luckiest of all signs you are also talented and articulate. Affectionate yet shy. You seek peace throughout your life.
Marry a sheep or boar. Your opposite is the cock.
The Dragon - 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
You are eccentric and your life complex. You have a very passionate nature and abundant health.
Marry a monkey or rat late in life. Avoid the dog.
The Snake - 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Wise and intense with a tendency towards physical beauty vain and high tempered.
The boar is your enemy. The cock or the ox are your best signs.
The Horse - 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Popular and attractive to the opposite sex. You are often ostentatious and impatient. You need people.
marry a tiger or a dog early. But never a Rat.
The Sheep - 1943 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Elegant and creative you are timid and prefer anonymity.
You are most compatible with Boars and Rabbits but never the Ox.
The Monkey - 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
You are very intelligent and are able to influence people. An enthusiastic achiever, you are easily discouraged and confused.
Avoid tigers, Seek a dragon or a Rat.
The Cock - 1946, 1958, 1970, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
A pioneer in spirit, you are devoted to your work and quest after knowledge. You are selfish and eccentric.
Rabbits are trouble. Snakes and Oxen are fine.
The Dog - 1947, 1959, 1971, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Loyal and honest you work well with others. Generous yet stubborn and often selfish.
Look to the horse or tiger. Watch out for dragons.
The Boar - 1948, 1960, 1972, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Noble and chivalrous. Your friends will be lifelong, yet you are prone to marital strife.
Avoid other boars. Marry a rabbit or a sheep.
| Animal Signs | Rat | Ox | Tiger | Rabbit | Dragon | Snake | Horse | Sheep | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig |
| Rat | well suited | happy & steady | hot & cold | may argue | suitable match | volatile pair | poor match | poor match | very lively | need effort | lively pair | quite charm -ing |
| Ox | happy & steady | caring pair | ups & downs | ups & downs | tricky pair | support each other | difficult match | steer clear | loving pair | good match | can be good | need effort |
| Tiger | hot & cold | need effort | happy & steady | can be good | require patience | steer clear | good ally | can work out | very rocky | hard work | strong ally | superb match |
| Rabbit | may argue | ups & downs | can be good | truly loving | hard going | hard work | can work out | great fun | need effort | many conflicts | truly loving | superb match |
| Dragon | suitable match | tricky pair | require patience | hard going | good match | can be good | lively pair | hot & cold | good pair | wonder | not suitable | hard work |
| Snake | volatile pair | support each other | steer clear | hard work | can be good | wonder | tricky pair | need effort | long lasting match | wonder | quite charm -ing | not match -ing |
| Horse | poor match | difficult match | good ally | can work out | lively pair | tricky pair | caring sharing | superb match | quite hurtful | can be good | good ally | ups & downs |
| Sheep | poor match | steer clear | can work out | great fun | hot & cold | require effort | superb match | long lasting | can work out | hard work | tricky pair | support each other |
| Monkey | very lively | loving pair | very rocky | need effort | good pair | long lasting match | quite hurtful | can work out | full of laughter | hard going | volatile pair | poles apart |
| Rooster | need effort | good match | hard work | many conflicts | wonder | wonder | can be good | hard work | hard going | intense passion | poor match | require effort |
| Dog | lively pair | can be good | strong ally | truly loving | not suitable | quite charm -ing | good ally | tricky pair | volatile pair | poor match | loyal loving | ups & downs |
| Pig | quite charm -ing | need effort | superb match | superb match | hard work | not match -ing | ups & downs | support each other | poles apart | require effort | ups & downs | intense passion |
The twelve animal signs can be divided into four groups of three. The groups are based on the surmise that each of the three animals concerned have similar ways of thinking or temperament, or at least the style of thinking and understanding.
Group One: Rat, Dragon, Monkey
They are action oriented and show traits of intelligence. They can complement in intellect and are compatible with each other.
Group Two: Ox, Snake, Rooster
They are deep thinkers and always conscious about attaining their objectives. They are complementary to each other in intellect and habits.
Group Three: Tiger, Horse, Dog
They incline to freedom and have strong sense of personal ego. They can understand each other but sometimes are egoistical.
Group Four: Rabbit, Sheep, Pig
They love peace and believe in mutual co-operation. They can be sympathetic and usually make great pairs.
As part of Chinese astrology, Chinese zodiac animal signs are also related to the Ying Yang and Wu Xing (the Five Elements) theories. They are opposite but also supporting and generating to the other. One can realize personal shortcomings and learn from the positive attitudes of others as a complement.
Compatible Signs:
Starting from one's own sign as number one, the fifth signs either counted clockwise or anti-clockwise are the most compatible. If it is Ox sign, rooster and snake are the most compatible signs with Ox. This is the same as saying that the animal signs that are four years apart from each other are believed to be compatible.
Either Compatible or Incompatible:
The signs which are directly opposite to each other (i.e., 6 years apart) can not see eye to eye with each other but their relationship can be fine if the older yields to the younger one. For example, Rat and Horse.
Incompatible Combination:
Starting from one's own sign as number one, the fourth signs either counted clockwise or anti-clockwise are very likely to be the non-compatible ones, i.e., they are three years apart. For example, Rat vs Rabbit and Rooster.