The Chinese Zodiac

Have you ever wondered which Chinese Zodiac Animal you are?

Use the lists below to work out which sign you are.

1908 2 February 1908 - 21 January 1909 - Monkey - Earth (+)
1909 22 January 1909 - 9 February 1910 - Rooster - Earth (-)
1910 10 February 1910 - 29 January 1911 - Dog - Metal (+)
1911 30 January 1911 - 17 February 1912 - Pig - Metal (-)
1912 18 February 1912 - 5 February 1913-  Rat - Water (+)
1913 6 February 1913 - 25 January 1914 - Ox - Water (-)
1914 26 January 1914 - 13 February 1915 - Tiger - Wood (+)
1915 14 February 1915 - 2 February 1916 - Rabbit - Wood (-)
1916 3 February 1916 - 22 January 1917 - Dragon - Fire (+)
1917 23 January 1917 - 10 February 1918 - Snake - Fire (-)
1918 11 February 1918 - 31 January 1919 - Horse - Earth (+)
1919 1 February 1919 - 19 February 1920 - Sheep - Earth (-)
1920 20 February 1920 - 7 February 1921 - Monkey - Metal (+)
1921 8 February 1921 - 27 January 1922 - Rooster - Metal (-)
1922 28 January 1922 - 15 February 1923 - Dog Water (+)
1923 16 February 1923 - 4 February 1924 - Pig - Water (-)
1924 5 February 1924 - 24 January 1925 - Rat - Wood (+)
1925 25 January 1925 - 12 February 1926 - Ox - Wood (-)
1926 13 February 1926 - 1 February 1927 - Tiger - Fire (+)
1927 2 February 1927 - 22 January 1928 - Rabbit - Fire (-)
1928 23 January 1928 - 9 February 1929 - Dragon - Earth (+)
1929 10 February 1929 - 29 January 1930 - Snake - Earth (-)
1930 30 January 1930 - 16 February 1931 - Horse - Metal (+)
1931 17 February 1931 - 5 February 1932 - Sheep - Metal (-)
1932 6 February 1932 - 25 January 1933 - Monkey - Water (+)
1933 26 January 1933 - 13 February 1934 - Rooster - Water (-)
1934 14 February 1934 - 3 February 1935 - Dog - Wood (+)
1935 4 February 1935 - 23 January 1936 - Pig - Wood (-)
1936 24 January 1936 - 10 February 1937 - Rat - Fire (+)
1937 11 February 1937 - 30 January 1938-  Ox - Fire (-)
1938 31 January 1938 - 18 February 1939 - Tiger - Earth (+)
1939 19 February 1939 - 7 February 1940 - Rabbit - Earth (-)
1940 8 February 1940 - 26 January 1941 - Dragon - Metal (+)
1941 27 January 1941 - 14 February 1942 - Snake - Metal (-)
1942 15 February 1942 - 4 February 1943 - Horse - Water (+)
1943 5 February 1943 - 24 January 1944 - Sheep - Water (-)
1944 25 January 1944 - 12 February 1945 - Monkey-  Wood (+)
1945 13 February 1945 - 1 February 1946 - Rooster - Wood (-)
1946 2 February 1946 - 21 January 1947 - Dog - Fire (+)
1947 22 January 1947 - 9 February 1948 - Pig - Fire (-)
1948 10 February 1948 - 28 January 1949 - Rat - Earth (+)
1949 29 January 1949 - 16 February 1950 - Ox - Earth (-)
1950 17 February 1950 - 5 February 1951 - Tiger - Metal (+)
1951 6 February 1951 - 26 January 1952 - Rabbit - Metal (-)
1952 27 January 1952 - 13 February 1953 - Dragon - Water (+)
1953 14 February 1953 - 2 February 1954 - Snake - Water (-)
1954 3 February 1954 - 16 February 1955 - Horse - Wood (+)
1955 24 January 1955 - 11 February 1956 - Sheep - Wood (-)
1956 12 February 1956 - 30 January 1957 - Monkey - Fire (+)
1957 31 January 1957 - 17 February 1958 - Rooster - Fire (-)
1958 18 February 1958 - 7 February 1959 - Dog - Earth (+)
1959 8 February 1959 - 27 January 1960 - Pig - Earth (-)
1960 28 January 1960 - 14 February 1961 - Rat - Metal (+)
1961 15 February 1961 - 4 February 1962 - Ox - Metal (-)
1962 5 February 1962 - 24 January 1963 - Tiger - Water (+)
1963 25 January 1963 - 12 February 1964 - Rabbit - Water (-)
1964 13 February 1964 - 1 February 1965 - Dragon - Wood (+)
1965 2 February 1965 - 20 January 1966 - Snake - Wood (-)
1966 21 January 1966 - 8 February 1967 - Horse - Fire (+)
1967 9 February 1967 - 29 January 1968 - Sheep - Fire (-)
1968 30 January 1968 - 16 February 1969 - Monkey - Earth (+)
1969 17 February 1969 - 5 February 1970 - Rooster - Earth (-)
1970 6 February 1970 - 26 January 1971 - Dog - Metal (+)
1971 27 January 1971 - 15 January 1972 - Pig - Metal (-)
1972 16 January 1972 - 2 February 1973 - Rat - Water (+)
1973 3 February 1973 - 22 January 1974 - Ox - Water (-)
1974 23 January 1974 - 10 February 1975 - Tiger - Wood (+)
1975 11 February 1975 - 30 January 1976 - Rabbit - Wood (-)
1976 31 January 1976 - 17 February 1977 - Dragon - Fire (+)
1977 18 February 1977 - 6 February 1978 - Snake - Fire (-)
1978 7 February 1978 - 27 January 1979 - Horse - Earth (+)
1979 28 January 1979 - 15 February 1980 - Sheep - Earth (-)
1980 16 February 1980 - 4 February 1981 - Monkey - Metal (+)
1981 5 February 1981 - 24 January 1982 - Rooster - Metal (-)
1982 25 January 1982 - 12 February 1983 - Dog - Water (+)
1983 13 February 1983 - 1 February 1984 - Pig - Water (-)
1984 2 February 1984 - 19 February 1985 - Rat - Wood (+)
1985 20 February 1985 - 8 February 1986 - Ox - Wood (-)
1986 9 February 1986 - 28 January 1987 - Tiger - Fire (+)
1987 29 January 1987 - 16 February 1988 - Rabbit - Fire (-)
1988 17 February 1988 - 5 February 1989 - Dragon - Earth (+)
1989 6 February 1989 - 26 January 1990 - Snake - Earth (-)
1990 27 January 1990 - 14 February 1991 - Horse - Metal (+)
1991 15 February 1991 - 3 February 1992 - Sheep - Metal (-)
1992 4 February 1992 - 22 January 1993 - Monkey - Water (+)
1993 23 January 1993 - 9 February 1994 - Rooster - Water (-)
1994 10 February 1994 - 30 January 1995 - Dog - Wood (+)
1995 31 January 1995 - 18 February 1996 - Pig - Wood (-)
1996 19 February 1996 - 7 February 1997 - Rat - Fire (+)
1997 8 February 1997 - 27 January 1998 - Ox - Fire (-)
1998 28 January 1998 - 15 February 1999 - Tiger - Earth (+)
1999 16 February 1999 - 4 February 2000 - Rabbit - Earth (-)
2000 5 February 2000 - 23 January 2001 - Dragon - Metal (+)
2001 24 January 2001 - 11 February 2002 - Snake - Metal (-)
2002 12 February 2002 - 31 January 2003 - Horse - Water (+)
2003 1 February 2003 - 21 January 2004 - Sheep - Water (-)
2004 22 January 2004 - 8 February 2005 - Monkey - Wood (+)
2005 9 February 2005 - 28 January 2006 - Rooster - Wood (-)
2006 29 January 2006 - 17 February 2007 - Dog - Fire (+)
2007 18 February 2007 - 6 February 2008 - Pig - Fire (-)
 

Metal  - Fixity, strength of will, fluency of speech

Water - Powers of reflection, sensitivity, persuasiveness

Wood - Imagination, creativity, idealism, compassion

Fire - Dynamism, passion, energy, aggression, leadership

Earth - Stability, reliability, practicality, industry, prudence
 

Chinese wisdom sees a polarity in every element, a negative and a positive side, an essentially feminine (passive, represented by -) or masculine (active, represented by +) disposition, or in Chinese terminology, Yin and Yang. Consequently, each element is repeated twice in succession so that it presents in the first year its Yang, or masculine side, and reverses the next year into its Yin polar opposite.

This chart, taken from the Chinese perpetual calendar, lays out each year together with that year's animal sign, its element and its masculine or feminine principle.

Pig

People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Dog

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

Rooster

People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people's emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

Monkey

People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

Sheep

People born in the Year of Ram are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the zodiac's other years. But ram year people are often shy, pessimistic, and puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature. Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Ram people never have to worry about having the best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able to enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Ram people are wise, gentle, and compassionate. They are compatible with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses.

Horse

People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. The are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. They are very independent and rarely listen to advice. They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep.

Snake

People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.

Dragon

People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters.

Rabbit

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Tiger

Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs

Ox

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

Rat

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.