Chinese Zodiac
Shēngxià o is the Chinese Zodiac.
Observed in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, it shows respect for 12 particular animals. Each year is represented by an animal which gets repeated every 12 years.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle for animals and a 10-year cycle for the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), which combine to create a 60-year cycle. Â
Distinct animal characteristics are imparted during the year governed by the animals and elements:
Snake
Wise
Wood
Jan 29, 2025 – Feb 16, 2026
Horse
IdealisticÂ
Fire
Feb 17, 2026 – Feb 05, 2027
Goat
Peace-loving
Fire
Feb 06, 2027 – Jan 25, 2028
Monkey
High-spirited
Earth
Jan 26, 2028 – Feb 12, 2029
Rooster
Hard-working
Earth
Feb 13, 2029 – Feb 02, 2030
Dog
Loyal
Metal
Feb 03, 2030 – Jan 22, 2031
Pig
Intelligent
Metal
Jan 23, 2031 – Feb 10, 2032
Rat
Clever
Water
Feb 11, 2032 – Jan 30, 2033
Ox
Duty-bound
Water
Jan 31, 2033 – Feb 18, 2034
Tiger
Independent
Wood
Feb 19, 2034 – Feb 07, 2035
Rabbit
Creative
Wood
Feb 08, 2035 – Jan 27, 2036
Dragon
Energetic
Fire
Feb 28, 2036 – Feb 14, 2037
Summer:
Winter:
TigerÂ
RabbitÂ
DragonÂ
GoatÂ
Dog
Ox
Serving as a guide for over 3,000 years, the Chinese zodiac continues to shape cultural traditions in China and East Asia today, from festivities to daily decisions.
Each zodiac animal repeats a 12-year cycle, and it’s believed that every person inherits the animal’s personality trait for the year they were born. As the famed Chinese proverb goes, this is the animal that hides in your heart, so discover your zodiac animal and explore your shared character traits. The Year of the Snake, which began on 29 January, 2025, and ends on 16 February, 2025, is believed to bring wisdom, reflecting the trait of snakes.
We need to respect the positive characteristics of the animals and not exploit or kill them. After all, as per the Chinese zodiac, humans are emulating animal qualities.
The Tibetan lunar calendar uses the same 12 animals for each year too, but there are other differences between it and the Chinese lunar-solar calendar.
Page last updated on 30/12/25