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Chinese zodiac: the 12 animals by year
The Chinese zodiac is a cycle of 12 animals, one for each year, from the Rat to the Pig. A year changes its animal at the Chinese New Year, between 21 January and 20 February. With the five elements the cycle closes after 60 years. Now it is the Year of the Fire Horse, from 17 February 2026.
The animals
The 12 animals and their years
| Animal | The last years and their beginning |
|---|---|
| Rat |
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| Ox |
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| Tiger |
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| Rabbit |
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| Dragon |
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| Snake |
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| Horsenow |
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| Goat |
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| Monkey |
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| Rooster |
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| Dog |
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| Pig |
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The elements
The five elements and the 60 years
Besides an animal, every year also has an element: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each element falls on two years in a row, by the last digit of the year. Even years are yang, odd years yin.
Twelve animals and five elements of two years each make a cycle of 60 years: the Year of the Fire Horse comes back in 2086.
| Element | Digits | Years |
|---|---|---|
| WoodGrowth, creativity | 4 and 5 | 2024 Wood Dragon2025 Wood Snake |
| FirePassion, energy | 6 and 7 | 2026 Fire Horse2027 Fire Goat |
| EarthStability, care | 8 and 9 | 2028 Earth Monkey2029 Earth Rooster |
| MetalStrength, determination | 0 and 1 | 2030 Metal Dog2031 Metal Pig |
| WaterWisdom, flexibility | 2 and 3 | 2032 Water Rat2033 Water Ox |
The border
Birthdays around the new year
The Chinese New Year falls between 21 January and 20 February, on a different day every year. So a date of birth in January or early February is often in the year of the previous animal.
In 2026 the New Year was on 17 February. Someone born on 16 February is in the Year of the Wood Snake, and someone born on 17 February in the Year of the Fire Horse.
Do not choose an animal solely from the birth year: for a birthday in January or February, first check the date of the New Year for that particular year.
Chinese zodiac
Guides
Chinese Zodiac: A Complete Guide to the 12 Animals
Discover the Chinese Zodiac: find your animal by birth year, understand the 12 signs, and explore the Chinese calendar 2026.13 min readThe 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac and Their Personalities
The personalities of all 12 Chinese zodiac animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.17 min readHow to Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign by Year
Discover your Chinese zodiac animal based on your birth year.10 min readChinese Zodiac Compatibility: Which Animals Match
Which Chinese zodiac animals are compatible in love.11 min readThe Five Elements in the Chinese Zodiac (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water)
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water: the five elements of the Chinese zodiac and how they influence each animal's character in the 60-year cycle.12 min readYear of the Fire Horse 2026: What to Expect
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese Zodiac.15 min read
Chinese zodiac
Questions about the Chinese zodiac
How do I find my animal sign?
By the year of birth, but a date of birth before the Chinese New Year is in the animal of the previous year. The date of the New Year for every year is in the Chinese horoscope.
Which year is it now in the Chinese zodiac?
The Year of the Fire Horse, until 5 February 2027; after it comes the Year of the Fire Goat, from 6 February 2027.
How do the five elements work?
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water; each falls on two years in a row. The element of 2026 is fire. Together with the 12 animals the elements make a cycle of 60 years.
Which animals go well together?
In the tradition the closest are the animals four years apart, for example Rat, Dragon and Monkey. All the triads and pairs are in the Chinese horoscope.