The Chinese zodiac (Chinese: 生肖; pinyin: shēngxiào), sometimes called the sheng xiao or the twelve animal signs, is a traditional classification system that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. It is one of the oldest and most widely recognized calendrical and cultural systems associated with China, and versions of it are used across much of East and Southeast Asia. Unlike the Western zodiac, which is based on the month of birth, the Chinese zodiac is determined by the year of birth.

The twelve animals, in fixed order, are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (also rendered as Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig (also rendered as Boar). Each is believed in popular tradition to lend distinctive personality traits and fortunes to the people born in its year. The system has long been used in folk belief for matters such as character analysis, compatibility between individuals, and the selection of auspicious times.

The precise origin of the Chinese zodiac is not documented with certainty, but the system is generally understood to be very old, with roots in ancient China and references appearing in texts dating back more than two thousand years. Scholars connect it to early astronomical observation, the traditional lunisolar calendar, and a broader system of counting years using cyclical signs. Over time the twelve animals became firmly attached to these year-signs in popular culture.

As Chinese cultural influence spread, related zodiac systems were adopted and adapted in numerous neighboring cultures, including those of Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Mongolia. Some of these variants substitute different animals; in the Vietnamese system, for example, the Rabbit is replaced by the Cat. Despite such local differences, the basic structure of a twelve-year animal cycle is shared across all of them.

The zodiac operates as a continuous loop of twelve years. Once the twelfth animal, the Pig, has passed, the cycle returns to the Rat and repeats. Because the sequence is fixed and unbroken, a person's animal sign recurs every twelve years. In the traditional system the twelve animals are also combined with the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) to form a larger sixty-year cycle, so that each animal appears in several elemental variations before the full pattern repeats.

The traditional order of the animals is explained by a widely told folk legend known as the Great Race. According to the story, the Jade Emperor, a supreme deity in Chinese mythology, summoned the animals to a race across a river, decreeing that the years would be named after the first twelve to arrive and in the order they finished.

In the best-known version, the Rat secured first place by riding across the river on the back of the diligent Ox and leaping ahead at the final moment, which accounts for the Rat's position at the head of the cycle and the Ox's placement in second. The remaining animals are said to have finished in the sequence still used today, with the Pig arriving last. Although the tale is folklore rather than history, it remains the standard popular explanation for the animals' order and is frequently cited in cultural discussions of the zodiac.

An individual's zodiac animal is found by matching the year of birth to the corresponding animal in the cycle, as shown in the table below. One important qualification applies. The Chinese year does not begin on 1 January but on the date of the Chinese New Year, which falls on a different day each year, generally between late January and mid-February.

Consequently, a person born in January or early February may belong to the animal of the preceding year rather than the year printed on a standard calendar. To determine the correct sign in such cases, the exact date of the Chinese New Year for the relevant year must be consulted. For births at other times of the year, the year of birth alone is sufficient.

Birth-Year Reference Table

The table lists representative years from 1960 onward. Because the cycle repeats every twelve years, additional years can be found by adding or subtracting multiples of twelve.

The following summaries describe the characteristics popularly associated with each sign in traditional belief. These attributions are cultural and symbolic rather than scientific, and interpretations vary between sources and regions.

Rat (鼠)

Recent years: 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

The first sign of the cycle, the Rat is traditionally associated with intelligence, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Individuals born in Rat years are popularly regarded as quick-witted, observant, and skilled at identifying opportunities, as well as sociable and prudent with resources. The Rat's leading position is attributed in folklore to its cunning during the Great Race.

Ox (牛)

Recent years: 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

The Ox is associated with diligence, reliability, and patience. People born in Ox years are traditionally described as hardworking, steadfast, and honest, valued for perseverance and a methodical approach rather than haste. In the legend the Ox would have finished first had the Rat not outmaneuvered it, a detail commonly cited to illustrate the sign's dependability.

Tiger (虎)

Recent years: 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

The Tiger symbolizes courage, confidence, and vigor. Those born in Tiger years are popularly characterized as bold, competitive, and charismatic, sometimes with an independent or rebellious streak, and are said to possess strong protective instincts. The tiger is a powerful and respected figure in Chinese culture more broadly.

Rabbit (兔)

Recent years: 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

The Rabbit is linked to gentleness, kindness, and prudence. Individuals born in Rabbit years are traditionally seen as diplomatic, considerate, and averse to conflict, as well as quick-thinking and cautious. The Rabbit is regarded as an auspicious sign and is associated in Chinese tradition with the moon.

Dragon (龙)

Recent years: 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

The only mythical creature in the cycle, the Dragon holds a place of particular esteem, symbolizing power, good fortune, and success. People born in Dragon years are popularly viewed as confident, ambitious, and energetic natural leaders. Dragon years are considered especially auspicious, and birth rates have historically been observed to rise during them.

Snake (蛇)

Recent years: 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

The Snake is associated with wisdom, intuition, and composure. Those born in Snake years are traditionally described as thoughtful, perceptive, and reserved, adept at analysis and problem-solving. The sign's quiet demeanor is regarded in tradition as a mark of discernment rather than passivity.

Horse (马)

Recent years: 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

The Horse represents energy, independence, and a love of freedom. Individuals born in Horse years are popularly characterized as active, sociable, and adventurous, though sometimes impatient. The year 2026 is a Year of the Horse.

Goat (羊)

Recent years: 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

Also known as the Sheep or Ram, the Goat is associated with gentleness, creativity, and compassion. People born in Goat years are traditionally seen as artistic, empathetic, and calm, drawn to harmony and beauty, and characterized by a strong, if understated, inner life.

Monkey (猴)

Recent years: 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

The Monkey symbolizes intelligence, wit, and curiosity. Those born in Monkey years are popularly described as inventive, playful, and quick to learn, with a talent for communication and adaptability. The sign is associated with cleverness and versatility.

Rooster (鸡)

Recent years: 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

The Rooster is linked to confidence, diligence, and honesty. Individuals born in Rooster years are traditionally characterized as hardworking, well-organized, and forthright, taking pride in their appearance and conduct. The rooster's association with the dawn underlies its symbolic connection to alertness and reliability.

Dog (狗)

Recent years: 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

The Dog represents loyalty, honesty, and a strong sense of justice. People born in Dog years are popularly regarded as faithful, fair-minded, and protective, valued as dependable companions who defend the people and principles they hold dear.

Pig (猪)

Recent years: 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

The final sign of the cycle, the Pig, also called the Boar, is associated with generosity, sincerity, and contentment. Those born in Pig years are traditionally described as good-natured, honest, and appreciative of life's comforts. In Chinese tradition the Pig is regarded as an auspicious sign connected with prosperity and abundance.

The zodiac permeates many aspects of cultural life in China and the wider region. Each animal year is prominently celebrated during the Lunar New Year, when the incoming sign features widely in decorations, greetings, gifts, and commemorative items. The zodiac also appears in art, literature, and design, and its animals are commonly invoked in discussions of personality and interpersonal compatibility.

In contemporary popular culture, the twelve animals have become enduring decorative and symbolic motifs, appearing on stamps, coins, ornaments, clothing, and a broad range of consumer goods, particularly around the turn of each lunar year.

Products featuring the zodiac animals are produced by many retailers and range from traditional ornaments to modern apparel. Among online sellers offering zodiac-themed clothing is Expressionize, which produces an original illustrated design for each of the twelve animals. The designs typically depict the animal within a decorative scene incorporating gilded linework, red lanterns, floral motifs, and the corresponding Chinese character, together with a stylized constellation of the animal.

According to the retailer, the designs are available on hoodies, sweatshirts, and t-shirts in eight sizes ranging from Small to 5XL and in a selection of colors. The full range is offered through the Expressionize Chinese Birth Year collection. Such garments are commonly purchased as expressions of personal identity or as personalized gifts tied to the recipient's birth-year sign.

Production Methods

The garments are manufactured using direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, a technique in which the design is printed directly onto the fabric using specialized inkjet technology. Because the ink is absorbed into the textile, DTG printing produces a soft finish and is well suited to reproducing detailed, multicolored artwork.

Production follows a print-on-demand model, in which each item is produced only after it is ordered rather than manufactured in bulk in advance. This approach is often described as more environmentally efficient, since it reduces overproduction and unsold inventory, and as cost-effective, because it minimizes the expense of holding stock. These efficiencies can contribute to competitive pricing for the finished product.

Number of signs: Twelve, arranged in a repeating twelve-year cycle.

Order of animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

Basis: Year of birth, with the year beginning at the Chinese New Year (late January to mid-February).

Sign for 2026: The Horse. Other Horse years include 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014.

Only mythical animal: The Dragon.

Regional variants: Related systems exist in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Mongolia, sometimes with different animals (e.g., the Cat replaces the Rabbit in Vietnam).