Understanding the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Unlike western astrology's 12 monthly signs, Chinese astrology dedicates a full year to each 12 Chinese Zodiac sign animals. Find your birth year and animal, and learn some of the significant characteristics associated with it. Keep in mind that the lunar new year occurs between January 21 to February 20, and that can affect the sign of individuals born during this time frame.

Those born in the year of the Rat are most often lucky, resourceful, alert, adaptable and observant as well as outgoing, cheerful, social, and opportunistic. Rat is best matched with Ox, Dragon, or Monkey.

Years of the Rat: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008.

People born in the year of Ox are often devoted to working, think before acting, and have little to say. Ox is best matched with a Rat, Monkey, or Rooster.

Years of the Ox: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

People during the year of the Tiger are usually powerful, independent, confident, brave, and have a strong sense of wanderlust. Tiger is best matched with a Dragon, Horse, or Pig.

Years of the Tiger: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

People born during the year of the Rabbit are most often tender and sensitive homebodies who avoid arguing with others. Rabbit is best matched with a Sheep, Monkey, Pig, or Dog.

Years of the Rabbit: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

People born during the year of the Dragon are usually lively, intellectual, frank and can clearly tell right from wrong. Dragon is best matched with a Rooster, Rat, or Monkey.

Years of the Dragon: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Individuals born during the year of the snake are often wise, sensitive, suspicious, hesitant, and gifted in literature and art. Snake is best matched with a Dragon or Rooster.

Years of the Snake: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Those born during the year of the Horse are usually dynamic individuals who are upstanding, warm-hearted and easy-going. The best match for a Horse is a Tiger, Sheep, Rabbit.

Years of the Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Individuals born in the year of the Sheep are considered wise, gentle and compassionate individuals who have artistic sensibilities and a fondness for quiet living. The best match for a Sheep is a Rabbit, Horse, or Pig

Years of the Sheep: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

People born during the year of the Monkey are usually gentle and honest, as well as smart, clever and intelligent, and versatile. The best match for a Monkey is a Rabbit or Ox.

Years of the Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

People born during the year of Rooster are often honest, bright, communicative, ambitious, and seldom rely on others. The best match for a Rooster is an Ox or Snake.

Yeasr of the Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

Individuals born in the year of the Dog are usually independent, sincere, loyal, decisive, and not afraid of the difficulties in life. The best match for a Dog is a Rabbit.

Years of the Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

People during the year of the Pig are most often considerate, responsible, independent, accepting, and optimistic. The best match for a Pig is a Tiger, Rabbit, or Sheep.

Years of the Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

The Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, and each year is assigned an animal. However, Chinese astrology also assigns an animal to each month and divides a day into twelve 2-hour periods and designates an animal to represent each period. Additionally, each sign is attached to an element based on the year. Chinese astrology's horoscopes, like Western astrology's horoscopes, are filled with interwoven complexity.