Chinese tradition has long held the belief that the year you’re born in shapes your fortune, personality and character — and it’s all down to the Chinese zodiac. Each year in a repeating 12-year cycle is represented by a different animal, each with its own set of traits. It’s a lovely, colourful topic to explore with kids, especially around Chinese New Year.
The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, cycles through 12 animals, one per year, before starting again. The animals appear in this order:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, following the lunar calendar, so the animal “changes over” on a different day every time. Whatever the current year is when you’re reading this, you can work out your own zodiac animal using your birth year in the lists below.
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Chinese Zodiac Origin
Legend has it that the Jade Emperor wanted 12 animals to stand guard over his palace. In a race to reach him first, the strong and dependable Ox was expected to win, but the resourceful Rat snuck a ride on the Ox’s back and hopped off right at the finish line to take first place.
After the Ox came the Tiger and Rabbit, both fast and determined, followed by the Dragon and the Snake. Next to finish were the Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. These 12 animals became the guardians of the Heavenly Gate — and were immortalised as the Chinese zodiac signs we still use today.
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What Are the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs?
The year of a person’s birth determines their Chinese zodiac sign, and tradition holds that this shapes their character, career path, relationships and fortune. Each animal comes with personality traits that carry both strengths (like being intelligent or loyal) and challenges (like being stubborn or impatient).
Rat
Personality traits: Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, considerate, stubborn
Year of the Rat: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Ox
Personality traits: Diligent, dependable, strong, determined, stubborn
Year of the Ox: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Tiger
Personality traits: Confident, brave, loyal, trustworthy, arrogant
Year of the Tiger: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Rabbit
Personality traits: Gentle, elegant, considerate, responsible, timid
Year of the Rabbit: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
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Dragon
Personality traits: Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic, energetic, short-tempered
Year of the Dragon: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036
Snake
Personality traits: Enigmatic, intelligent, wise, determined, suspicious
Year of the Snake: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037
Horse
Personality traits: Easy-going, patient, steady, energetic, outspoken
Year of the Horse: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038
Goat
Personality traits: Gentle, calm, sympathetic, considerate, timid
Year of the Goat: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039
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Monkey
Personality traits: Intelligent, curious, sociable, enthusiastic, arrogant
Year of the Monkey: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040
Rooster
Personality traits: Capable, hardworking, brave, independent, impatient
Year of the Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041
Dog
Personality traits: Brave, loyal, reliable, responsible, stubborn
Year of the Dog: 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042
Pig
Personality traits: Optimistic, compassionate, generous, diligent, short-tempered
Year of the Pig: 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my Chinese zodiac sign?
Look up your birth year in the lists above — each animal repeats every 12 years, so once you find your year, you’ve found your sign.
What is the order of the Chinese zodiac animals?
The order is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, then Pig, before the cycle starts again with the Rat.
Does the Chinese zodiac year always start on 1st January?
No. Each new zodiac year begins with Chinese New Year, which follows the lunar calendar and falls on a different date each year — usually sometime between late January and February.
Can two people share the same zodiac sign but have different personalities?
Yes — the zodiac traits are a fun tradition and a talking point, not a strict rulebook. Plenty of factors shape a child’s personality beyond their birth year!
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Save This for Chinese New Year
Bookmark this guide so it’s handy the next time Chinese New Year comes around — it’s a great one to revisit with the kids each year to see whose “year” it is.
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