The Chinese Zodiac refers to a pure calendrical cycle: there are no equivalent constellations like those of the occidental zodiac. In imperial times there were astrologers who watched the sky for heavenly omens that would predict the future of the state, but this was a quite different practice of divination than the popular present-day methods.

	Background

The ancient Chinese astronomers called the five major planets by the names of the element they were associated with: Venus corresponds to Metal (gold); Jupiter to Wood; Mercury to Water; Mars to Fire; Saturn to Earth.

It is said that the position of these planets, along with the positions of the Sun, Moon, any comets in the sky as well as time of birth and Zodiac Sign can determine a person's destiny according to Chinese Astrology.

A laborious system of computing one's fate and destiny based on one's birthday and birth hours (known as Zi Wei Dou Shu 紫微斗數 zǐwēidǒushù) is still used regularly in modern day Chinese astrology to divine one's fortune. The twenty-eight Chinese constellations (宿 xìu) are quite different from the eighty-eight Western constellations. For example, the Big Bear (Ursa Major) is known as 斗 dǒu; the belt of Orion is known as 參 shen, or the "Happiness, Fortune, Longevity" trio of demigods. The seven northern constellations are referred to as xúanwǔ (玄武). Xuan Wu is also known as the spirit of the northern sky or the spirit of Water in Taoism belief.

In addition to astrological readings of the heavenly bodies, the stars in the sky form the basis of many fairy tales. For example, the Summer Triangle is the trio of the cowherd (Altair), the weaving maiden fairy (Vega) and the "tai bai" fairy (Deneb). The two forbidden lovers were separated by the silvery river (the Milky Way). Each year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar, the birds form a bridge across the Milky Way. The cowherd carries their two sons (the two stars on each side of Altair) across the bridge to reunite with their fairy mother. The tai bai fairy acts as the chaperone of these two immortal lovers. See Qi Xi for more versions of this story.

Cycles

The cycles of years that are in use nowadays are derived from the age-old sexagenary cycle of 60 days that has been documented at least since the time of the Shang Dynasty. This basic cycle has been constructed from two cycles: the 10 heavenly stems and the 12 earthly branches, and this has later been applied to years instead of days.

There is a binary Yin and Yang cycle, which enlarges the five elements cycle to a cycle of 10 (seen below). Even years are yang, odd years are yin. The cycle proceeds as follows:

If the year ends in 0 it is Yang Metal.
If the year ends in 1 it is Yin Metal.
If the year ends in 2 it is Yang Water.
If the year ends in 3 it is Yin Water.
If the year ends in 4 it is Yang Wood.
If the year ends in 5 it is Yin Wood.
If the year ends in 6 it is Yang Fire.
If the year ends in 7 it is Yin Fire.
If the Year ends in 8 it is Yang Earth.
If the year ends in 9 it is Yin Earth.

Note however, that the cycle follows the same Chinese Lunar calendar as the Animal signs, not the Western year. So, for example, if a person was born in January 1970, his or her element would still be Yin Earth, not Yang Metal. Since the zodiac animal cycle of 12 is divisible by two, every zodiac sign can only occur in either yin or yang: the dragon is always yang, the snake is always yin, etc. This combination creates a 60-year cycle, starting with Wood Rat and ending with Water Pig. The current cycle began in the year 1984 (as shown in "Table of the lunar calendar and zodiac" below).

Five elements

The Yin or Yang is broken down into Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth) on top of the cycle of animals. These are modifiers and afflict the characteristics of each of the 12 animal signs. Each element has features that apply to both years and the animals. Each of the 12 animals are governed by an element plus a Yin Yang Direction. They are divided into 4 groups.

The balance of yin and yang and the five elements in a person's make-up has a major bearing on what is beneficial and effective for them in terms of feng shui, the Chinese form of geomancy. This is because each element is linked to a particular direction and season, and their different kinds of qì or life force.

Metal

The West
Autumn
The Planet Venus
The Color White
Respiratory system & Lungs
Determined, Self-reliant
Unyielding, Strong
Persistent, Forceful
Sophistication, Enjoys comforts, pleasure
Reserved, Needs Personal Space

'Governs' Monkey, Rooster, Dog

Wood

The East
Spring
The Planet Jupiter
The Color Green
Liver and gallbladder
Generous, Warm
Persuasive, Co-operative
Seeks to Expand and Grow
Idealistic, Ethical
Enthusiastic, Seeks to Explore

'Governs' Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon

Water

The North
Winter
The Planet Mercury
The Color Black
Skeletal/Excretory System & Lungs
Diplomatic, Charming
Intuitive, Compassionate
Communication, Intellectual
Sensitivity, Creative
Flexible, Compliant

'Governs' Pig, Rat, Ox

Fire

The South
Summer
The Planet Mars
The Color Red
Circulatory system & Heart
Dynamic, Energetic
Passion, Enterprise
Adventurous, Restless
Competitive, Leadership Skills
Strong, Single-minded

'Governs' Snake, Horse, goat

Earth

Center
Three Enclosures, Change of seasons
The Planet Saturn
The Color Yellow
Digestive system, Spleen and stomach
Patient, Prudent
Stable, Reliable
Hard-working, Ambitious
Disciplined, Logical
Service and Duty to Others

'Governs' Dragon, Dog, Rat, and Ox. It is the central balance of the elements and can lend qualities to all 12 animals as well.

Some websites denote the years by the colour and zodiac sign as opposed to animal sign and element.

The twelve animals

Each individual personality is associated with an animal which represents it. This is where many Chinese Astrology descriptions in western society draw solely from. Each year in the 60 year cycle contains twelve animals, each with five possible elements, which distinctively vary the base animal's personality which equals to 90 possible combinations.

Legend describes the order of the zodiac to be determined through a race, in which the rat cheated by standing on the ox's head and jumping when they reached the finish line.
The twelve zodiac animals

1. Rat
2. Ox
3. Tiger
4. Rabbit
5. Dragon
6. Snake
7. Horse
8. Sheep
9. Monkey
10. Rooster or Chicken
11. Dog
12. Pig or Boar

Inner animals and secret animals

It is a common misconception that there are only the singular animals assigned by year. These yearly cycles represent what others perceive you as being: while a person might appear to be a dragon they might actually be a snake internally and an ox secretively. Combined with 5 elements, this makes for 8640 combinations (5 elements, 12 animals, 12 months, 12 times of day). The inner animal is assigned by the month of birth. This dictates your love life and inner persona and is critical to a proper understanding of your compatibility with other signs. It may be considered what the individual wishes to become, or believes to be their true self. The secret animal is determined by exact time of birth and is your own true sign which your personality is based on. It is important to compensate for daylight savings or any clock adjustment performed by your country, as it is mapped according to the sun's location and not the local time.

These are said to be critical for the proper use of Chinese astrology. Many Western displays of the Chinese zodiac omit these, as well as the elements, for easier consumption and understanding.
The months
The twelve animals also apply to the lunar months. The month born affects a person's inner animal, as stated above. Remember, the Chinese Calendar is offset to start in the traditional February, or even in early March.

Solar
Longitude Segment Name Lunar Month
(Ordinal - Name)
314° 立春 lìchūn 1st -虎 Tiger
329° 雨水 yǔshuǐ
344° 啓蟄 qǐzhé (驚蟄 jīngzhé) 2nd - 兔 Rabbit
0° 春分 chūnfēn
14° 清明 qīngmíng 3rd - 龍 Dragon
29° 穀雨 gǔyǔ
44° 立夏 lìxià 4th - 蛇 Snake
59° 小滿 xiǎomǎn
74° 芒種 mángzhòng 5th - 馬 Horse
89° 夏至 xiàzhì
104° 小暑 xiǎoshǔ 6th - 羊 Sheep
119° 大暑 dàshǔ
134° 立秋 lìqiū 7th - 猴 Monkey
149° 處暑 chùshǔ
164° 白露 báilù 8th - 雞 Rooster
181° 秋分 qiūfēn
194° 寒露 hánlù 9th - 狗 Dog
211° 霜降 shuāngjiàng
224° 立冬 lìdōng 10th - 豬 Pig
244° 小雪 xiǎoxuě
251° 大雪 dàxuě 11th - 鼠 Rat
271° 冬至 dōngzhì
284° 小寒 xiǎohán 12th - 牛 Ox
301° 大寒 dàhán
The hours
The Chinese zodiac is also used to label times of day, with each sign corresponding to a "large-hour" or shichen (時辰), which is a two-hour period. (24 divided by 12 animals) The large-hour in which a person is born is their secretive animal, as stated above.

23:00 - 01:00: rat
01:00 - 03:00: ox
03:00 - 05:00: tiger
05:00 - 07:00: rabbit
07:00 - 09:00: dragon
09:00 - 11:00: snake
11:00 - 13:00: horse
13:00 - 15:00: sheep
15:00 - 17:00: monkey
17:00 - 19:00: rooster
19:00 - 21:00: dog
21:00 - 23:00: pig

Origin stories

The 12 Zodiac animal signs (生肖 shengxiao) are, in order, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (ram or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. There are many legends to explain the beginning of the zodiac (see Origins of the Chinese Zodiac). One of the most popular reads, in summarized form, as follows:

The rat was given the task of inviting the animals to report to the Jade Emperor for a banquet to be selected for the zodiac signs. The cat was a good friend of the rat, but the rat tricked him into believing that the banquet was the next day. The cat slept through the banquet, thinking that it was the next day. When he found out, the cat vowed to be the rat's natural enemy for ages to come.

A variation of this describes the Jade Emperor holding a great banquet in his palace; the cat does not hear the initial announcement so the rat tells him that there is going to be a royal party but instead tells him it is on the day after the actual date. All the animals who arrived on the night were granted a special place as a zodiac animal - the cat arrived the next day only to find out that the banquet was over.

Another popular legend has it that a race was used to decide the animals to report to the Jade Emperor: (taken from http://www.thingsasian.com/goto_article/article.2137.html)

While we are all aware of the hatred between a cat and a rat, these two animals were actually very good friends once. Good friends they may be, but these two animals are the worst swimmers in the animal kingdom. Although bad swimmers, they were both intelligent. They decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river is to hop on the back of the ox. The ox, being a naïve and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them across. However, when there is a carrot dangling in front, it is sometimes difficult to stick to friendship and the crafty rat decides that in order to win, it must do something and promptly pushed the cat into the river. Because of this, the cat had never forgiven the rat, and no doubt, hated the water too. After the ox had crossed the river, the rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first, and it cleverly claimed first place in the race!

Following closely behind was the strong ox, and it was named the 2nd animal in the zodiac. After the ox, came the tiger, panting away while explaining to the emperor just how difficult it was to cross the river with the heavy currents pushing it downstream all the time. But with powerful strength, it made to shore and was named the 3rd animal in the cycle.

Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping sound and out pop the rabbit. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it almost lost the race but the rabbit was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed him to shore. For that, it became the 4th animal in the zodiac cycle. Coming in 5th place was the gallant dragon, flying and belching fire into the air. Of course the Emperor was deeply curious as to why a strong and flying creature such as the dragon should fail to reach first. The mighty dragon explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, therefore he was held back a little. Then on his way to the finish line, he saw a little helpless rabbit clinging on to a log so he did a good deed and gave a puff of breath to the poor creature so that it could land on the shore. The emperor was very pleased with the actions of the dragon and he was added into the zodiac cycle. As soon as he had done so, a galloping sound was heard and the horse appeared. Hidden on the horse's hoof is the slimy sneaky snake whose sudden appearance gave the horse a fright thus making it fall back and gave the snake 6th spot whilst the horse took the 7th.

Not long after that, a little distance away, the ram, monkey and rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to where they are. The rooster spotted a raft, and took the other two animals with it. Together, the ram and the monkey cleared the weeds, tugged and pulled and finally got the raft to the shore. Because of their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the ram as the 8th creature, the monkey as the 9th, and the rooster the 10th.

The 11th animal is the dog. His explanation for being late although he was supposed to be the best swimmer amongst the rest was that he needed a good bath after a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was too big a temptation. For that, he almost didn't make it to finish line. Just as the emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little pig. The term "lazy pig" is due here as the pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast then fell asleep. After the nap, the pig continued the race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle. The cat finished too late (thirteenth) to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.

Some versions of the tale say that the cattle nominated a water buffalo to represent them because he was more proficient at water. The trade was acceptable because both animals are members of the family of bovines.

Another version of the tale expands the race. The route ran through a forest, over ranges of plains and grasslands, and along a stream, before finally crossing a lake to the destination town.

Yet another variation tells of two different races. The first involved all the animals, in two divisions to avoid the fast animals dominating the top, and the top six in each division would "make the cut" for a second round, which would then determine the order of placement of the animals in the zodiac.

In yet another variation, each animal was called before its peers and had to explain why it deserved a position at the top of the Zodiac. The Boar, at a loss, proceeded to claim that the meat on its bones 'tasted good.' This explanation was apparently considered unsatisfactory, because the Boar was placed at the very end of the Zodiac.

Another story is that all the animals were invited to a great feast, and God sent the Rat to tell the animals to come. However, the Rat decided to pull a prank on the Cat, and told the creature that it wasn't tonight, it was tomorrow. The Cat replied, "Thank you, Friend!" And went home to dream of a feast that would never come for him. The order of the animals were those that came, but it was told that the rat rode on the Ox(Bull)'s back and was the first one there, becoming the first in the Zodiac.

Interestingly, the cat does make it into the Vietnamese Zodiac, in place of the rabbit (see below).

The lunisolar calendar

Since the (traditional) Chinese zodiac follows the (lunisolar) Chinese calendar, the switch over date for the zodiac signs is the Chinese New Year, not January 1 as in the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, a person who was born in January or early February have the sign of the previous year. For example, 1990 was the year of the horse, but anyone born from January 1 to January 26, 1990 was born in the Year of the Snake (the sign of the previous year), because the 1990 Year of the Horse began on January 27, 1990. The start of a new Zodiac is also celebrated on Chinese New Year along with many other customs.

Many online sign calculators will give a person the wrong sign if he/she was born in January or early February.

There are some newer astrological texts which follow the Chinese Agricultural Calendar (the jie qi), and thus place the changeover of zodiac signs at the solar term li chun (beginning of Spring), at solar longitude 315 degrees. (See Chinese calendar)

Table of the lunar calendar and zodiac

Chinese Zodiac for the past and present century (Note: first & second columns: 1900-1960. Third & fourth columns: 1960-2020.)(The start of a Chinese zodiac sign is usually defined as the lìchūn of a year, not the first day of a Chinese new year as shown.) 1900-1960 1960-2020 Element Sign
Begin End Begin End
1900 Jan 31 1901 Feb 18 1960 Jan 28 1961 Feb 14 金 Metal 鼠 Rat
1901 Feb 19 1902 Feb 07 1961 Feb 15 1962 Feb 04 金 Metal 牛 Ox
1902 Feb 08 1903 Jan 28 1962 Feb 05 1963 Jan 24 水 Water 虎 Tiger
1903 Jan 29 1904 Feb 15 1963 Jan 25 1964 Feb 12 水 Water 兔 Rabbit
1904 Feb 16 1905 Feb 03 1964 Feb 13 1965 Feb 01 木 Wood 龍 Dragon
1905 Feb 04 1906 Jan 24 1965 Feb 02 1966 Jan 20 木 Wood 蛇 Snake
1906 Jan 25 1907 Feb 12 1966 Jan 21 1967 Feb 08 火 Fire 馬 Horse
1907 Feb 13 1908 Feb 01 1967 Feb 09 1968 Jan 29 火 Fire 羊 Sheep
1908 Feb 02 1909 Jan 21 1968 Jan 30 1969 Feb 16 土 Earth 猴 Monkey
1909 Jan 22 1910 Feb 09 1969 Feb 17 1970 Feb 05 土 Earth 雞 Rooster
1910 Feb 10 1911 Jan 29 1970 Feb 06 1971 Jan 26 金 Metal 狗 Dog
1911 Jan 30 1912 Feb 17 1971 Jan 27 1972 Feb 14 金 Metal 豬 Pig
1912 Feb 18 1913 Feb 05 1972 Feb 15 1973 Feb 02 水 Water 鼠 Rat
1913 Feb 06 1914 Jan 25 1973 Feb 03 1974 Jan 22 水 Water 牛 Ox
1914 Jan 26 1915 Feb 13 1974 Jan 23 1975 Feb 10 木 Wood 虎 Tiger
1915 Feb 14 1916 Feb 02 1975 Feb 11 1976 Jan 30 木 Wood 兔 Rabbit
1916 Feb 03 1917 Jan 22 1976 Jan 31 1977 Feb 17 火 Fire 龍 Dragon
1917 Jan 23 1918 Feb 10 1977 Feb 18 1978 Feb 06 火 Fire 蛇 Snake
1918 Feb 11 1919 Jan 31 1978 Feb 07 1979 Jan 27 土 Earth 馬 Horse
1919 Feb 01 1920 Feb 19 1979 Jan 28 1980 Feb 15 土 Earth 羊 Sheep
1920 Feb 20 1921 Feb 07 1980 Feb 16 1981 Feb 04 金 Metal 猴 Monkey
1921 Feb 08 1922 Jan 27 1981 Feb 05 1982 Jan 24 金 Metal 雞 Rooster
1922 Jan 28 1923 Feb 15 1982 Jan 25 1983 Feb 12 水 Water 狗 Dog
1923 Feb 16 1924 Feb 04 1983 Feb 13 1984 Feb 01 水 Water 豬 Pig
1924 Feb 05 1925 Jan 24 1984 Feb 02 1985 Feb 19 木 Wood 鼠 Rat
1925 Jan 25 1926 Feb 12 1985 Feb 20 1986 Feb 08 木 Wood 牛 Ox
1926 Feb 13 1927 Feb 01 1986 Feb 09 1987 Jan 28 火 Fire 虎 Tiger
1927 Feb 02 1928 Jan 22 1987 Jan 29 1988 Feb 16 火 Fire 兔 Rabbit
1928 Jan 23 1929 Feb 09 1988 Feb 17 1989 Feb 05 土 Earth 龍 Dragon
1929 Feb 10 1930 Jan 29 1989 Feb 06 1990 Jan 26 土 Earth 蛇 Snake
1930 Jan 30 1931 Feb 16 1990 Jan 27 1991 Feb 14 金 Metal 馬 Horse
1931 Feb 17 1932 Feb 05 1991 Feb 15 1992 Feb 03 金 Metal 羊 Sheep
1932 Feb 06 1933 Jan 25 1992 Feb 04 1993 Jan 22 水 Water 猴 Monkey
1933 Jan 26 1934 Feb 13 1993 Jan 23 1994 Feb 09 水 Water 雞 Rooster
1934 Feb 14 1935 Feb 03 1994 Feb 10 1995 Jan 30 木 Wood 狗 Dog
1935 Feb 04 1936 Jan 23 1995 Jan 31 1996 Feb 18 木 Wood 豬 Pig
1936 Jan 24 1937 Feb 10 1996 Feb 19 1997 Feb 06 火 Fire 鼠 Rat
1937 Feb 11 1938 Jan 30 1997 Feb 07 1998 Jan 27 火 Fire 牛 Ox
1938 Jan 31 1939 Feb 18 1998 Jan 28 1999 Feb 15 土 Earth 虎 Tiger
1939 Feb 19 1940 Feb 07 1999 Feb 16 2000 Feb 04 土 Earth 兔 Rabbit
1940 Feb 08 1941 Jan 26 2000 Feb 05 2001 Jan 23 金 Metal 龍 Dragon
1941 Jan 27 1942 Feb 14 2001 Jan 24 2002 Feb 11 金 Metal 蛇 Snake
1942 Feb 15 1943 Feb 04 2002 Feb 12 2003 Jan 31 水 Water 馬 Horse
1943 Feb 05 1944 Jan 24 2003 Feb 01 2004 Jan 21 水 Water 羊 Sheep
1944 Jan 25 1945 Feb 12 2004 Jan 22 2005 Feb 8 木 Wood 猴 Monkey
1945 Feb 13 1946 Feb 01 2005 Feb 9 2006 Jan 28 木 Wood 雞 Rooster
1946 Feb 02 1947 Jan 21 2006 Jan 29 2007 Feb 17 火 Fire 狗 Dog
1947 Jan 22 1948 Feb 09 2007 Feb 18 2008 Feb 6 火 Fire 豬 Pig
1948 Feb 10 1949 Jan 28 2008 Feb 7 2009 Jan 25 土 Earth 鼠 Rat
1949 Jan 29 1950 Feb 16 2009 Jan 26 2010 Feb 13 土 Earth 牛 Ox
1950 Feb 17 1951 Feb 05 2010 Feb 14 2011 Feb 2 金 Metal 虎 Tiger
1951 Feb 06 1952 Jan 26 2011 Feb 3 2012 Jan 22 金 Metal 兔 Rabbit
1952 Jan 27 1953 Feb 13 2012 Jan 23 2013 Feb 9 水 Water 龍 Dragon
1953 Feb 14 1954 Feb 02 2013 Feb 10 2014 Jan 30 水 Water 蛇 Snake
1954 Feb 03 1955 Jan 23 2014 Jan 31 2015 Feb 18 木 Wood 馬 Horse
1955 Jan 24 1956 Feb 11 2015 Feb 19 2016 Feb 7 木 Wood 羊 Sheep
1956 Feb 12 1957 Jan 30 2016 Feb 8 2017 Jan 27 火 Fire 猴 Monkey
1957 Jan 31 1958 Feb 17 2017 Jan 28 2018 Feb 15 火 Fire 雞 Rooster
1958 Feb 18 1959 Feb 07 2018 Feb 16 2019 Feb 4 土 Earth 狗 Dog
1959 Feb 08 1960 Jan 27 2019 Feb 5 2020 Jan 24 土 Earth 豬 Pig

The table above has some misunderstanding of concepts in Chinese Astrology,~ There are different sets of calendars, which is used together in China. Chinese New Year is start of Lunar calendar, not the division of Chinese Sign, Feb 4 or 5 of each year, spring begins 立春 is the division of Chinese Sign. And the element in the table above is the Heaven Element of the year in fact, for example 1960 庚子 庚 Geng is the heaven Element Gold, and 子 Zi is the earth element Water and Earth is the combination element of 庚子. Element is a very complex concept. Combination Element is the result of the Elements movement.

Begin End Heaven Element Combination Element Sign
1960 Feb 4 1961 Feb 3 金 Metal 庚 earth 鼠 Rat
1961 Feb 4 1962 Feb 3 金 Metal 辛 earth 牛 Ox
1962 Feb 4 1963 Feb 3 水 Water Gold 虎 Tiger
1963 Feb 4 1964 Feb 3 水 Water Gold 兔 Rabbit
1964 Feb 4 1965 Feb 3 木 Wood fire 龍 Dragon
1965 Feb 4 1966 Feb 3 木 Wood fire 蛇 Snake
1966 Feb 4 1967 Feb 3 火 Fire water 馬 Horse
1967 Feb 4 1968 Feb 3 火 Fire water 羊 Sheep
1968 Feb 4 1969 Feb 3 土 Earth earth 猴 Monkey
1969 Feb 4 1970 Feb 3 土 Earth earth 雞 Rooster
1970 Feb 4 1971 Feb 3 金 Metal Gold 狗 Dog
1971 Feb 4 1972 Feb 3 金 Metal Gold 豬 Pig
1972 Feb 4 1973 Feb 3 水 Water wood 鼠 Rat
1973 Feb 4 1974 Feb 3 水 Water wood 牛 Ox
1974 Feb 4 1975 Feb 3 木 Wood water 虎 Tiger
1975 Feb 4 1976 Feb 3 木 Wood water 兔 Rabbit
1976 Feb 4 1977 Feb 3 火 Fire earth 龍 Dragon
1977 Feb 4 1978 Feb 3 火 Fire earth 蛇 Snake
1978 Feb 4 1979 Feb 3 土 Earth fire 馬 Horse
1979 Feb 4 1980 Feb 3 土 Earth fire 羊 Sheep
1980 Feb 4 1981 Feb 3 金 Metal wood 猴 Monkey
1981 Feb 4 1982 Feb 3 金 Metal wood 雞 Rooster
1982 Feb 4 1983 Feb 3 水 Water water 狗 Dog
1983 Feb 4 1984 Feb 3 水 Water water 豬 Pig
1984 Feb 4 1985 Feb 3 木 Wood Gold 鼠 Rat
1985 Feb 4 1986 Feb 3 木 Wood Gold 牛 Ox
1986 Feb 4 1987 Feb 3 火 Fire fire 虎 Tiger
1987 Feb 4 1988 Feb 3 火 Fire fire 兔 Rabbit
1988 Feb 4 1989 Feb 3 土 Earth wood 龍 Dragon
1989 Feb 4 1990 Feb 3 土 Earth wood 蛇 Snake
1990 Feb 4 1991 Feb 3 金 Metal earth 馬 Horse
1991 Feb 4 1992 Feb 3 金 Metal earth 羊 Sheep
1992 Feb 4 1993 Feb 3 水 Water Gold 猴 Monkey
1993 Feb 4 1994 Feb 3 水 Water Gold 雞 Rooster
1994 Feb 4 1995 Feb 3 木 Wood fire 狗 Dog
1995 Feb 4 1996 Feb 3 木 Wood fire 豬 Pig
1996 Feb 4 1997 Feb 3 火 Fire water 鼠 Rat
1997 Feb 4 1998 Feb 3 火 Fire water 牛 Ox
1998 Feb 4 1999 Feb 3 土 Earth earth 虎 Tiger
1999 Feb 4 2000 Feb 3 土 Earth earth 兔 Rabbit
2000 Feb 4 2001 Feb 3 金 Metal Gold 龍 Dragon
2001 Feb 4 2002 Feb 3 金 Metal Gold 蛇 Snake
2002 Feb 4 2003 Feb 3 水 Water wood 馬 Horse
2003 Feb 4 2004 Feb 3 水 Water wood 羊 Sheep
2004 Feb 4 2005 Feb 3 木 Wood water 猴 Monkey
2005 Feb 4 2006 Feb 3 木 Wood water 雞 Rooster
2006 Feb 4 2007 Feb 3 火 Fire earth 狗 Dog
2007 Feb 4 2008 Feb 3 火 Fire earth 豬 Pig
2008 Feb 4 2009 Feb 3 土 Earth fire 鼠 Rat
2009 Feb 4 2010 Feb 3 土 Earth fire 牛 Ox
2010 Feb 4 2011 Feb 3 金 Metal wood 虎 Tiger
2011 Feb 4 2012 Feb 3 金 Metal wood 兔 Rabbit
2012 Feb 4 2013 Feb 3 水 Water water 龍 Dragon
2013 Feb 4 2014 Feb 3 水 Water water 蛇 Snake
2014 Feb 4 2015 Feb 3 木 Wood Gold 馬 Horse
2015 Feb 4 2016 Feb 3 木 Wood Gold 羊 Sheep
2016 Feb 4 2017 Feb 3 火 Fire fire 猴 Monkey
2017 Feb 4 2018 Feb 3 火 Fire fire 雞 Rooster
2018 Feb 4 2019 Feb 3 土 Earth wood 狗 Dog
2019 Feb 4 2020 Feb 3 土 Earth wood 豬 Pig

Chinese zodiac in other countries

The Chinese zodiac signs are also used by cultures other than Chinese. For one example, they usually appear on Japanese New Year's cards and stamps. The United States Postal Service and those of several other countries issue a "Year of the _____" postage stamp each year to honor this Chinese heritage. However, those unfamiliar with the use of the Chinese lunar calendar usually just assume that the signs switch over on Jan 1 of each year. Those who are serious about the fortune telling aspect of the signs can consult a table, such as the one above.

The Chinese zodiac is also used in some other Asian countries that have been under the cultural influence of China. However, some of the animals in the Zodiac may differ by country.

For example, the Vietnamese zodiac is identical to Chinese zodiac except that the second animal is the water buffalo instead of the ox and the fourth is the cat not the rabbit, the Japanese zodiac includes the wild boar instead of the pig, and the Thai zodiac implements a naga in place of the dragon. The European Huns used the Chinese Zodiac complete with "dragon", "pig". This common Chinese-Turkic Zodiac was in use in Balkan Bulgaria well into the Bulgars' adoption of Slavic language and Orthodox Christianity. Following is the Hunnish or Turkic Bulgarian Pagan zodiac calendar, distinctive from the Greek zodiac but much in conformity with the Chinese one: Kam-Boyan Calendar.
Torè calendar
Names of years

1. Kuzgé - [Year of] Saravana
2. Shiger (Syger) - Artom (Taurus)
3. Kuman (Imén)
4. Ügur - Tiger Myachè Ügur - Tiger
5. Taushan - Rabbit
6. Samar - Dragon Birgün (Bergen, Birig, Baradj)- Dragon
7. Dilan - Snake
8. Tuki (Tykha) - Horse
9. Téké - Sheep (Ram or Goat)
10. Bichin, Michin - Monkey
11. Taguk - Rooster, Hen
12. It - Dog
13. Shushma - Pig (many mistake it as boar though)(Türk, Russ "Kaban" - Translator's Note)

The Four Trines

The First Trine

The first trine consists of the Rat, Dragon, and Monkey. These three signs are intense and powerful individuals, capable of great good or great evil. They make great leaders, but the three have different approaches. Rats and Dragons have a tendency to be quite dictatorial and autocratic, whilst monkeys are more diplomatic. Frustrated when hampered, these signs are ruled by highly potent energy and unpredictability. They are intelligent, magnanimous, charismatic, charming, authoritative, confident, eloquent and artistic. They can also be tyrannical, bombastic, prejudiced, deceitful, imperious, ruthless, power-hungry, and megalomaniacal.

The Second Trine

The second trine consists of the Ox, Snake, and Rooster. These three soul mates conquer life through endurance, application, and slow accumulation of energy. Although each sign is fixed and rigid in opinions and views, they are genius in the art of meticulous planning. They are hardworking, discreet, modest, industrious, charitable, loyal, punctual, philosophical, patient, and good-hearted individuals with high moral standards. They can also be self-righteous, greedy, critical, judgemental, narrow-minded, petty, and pessimistic.

The Third Trine

The third trine consists of the Tiger, Horse, and Dog. These three signs seek one another, and are like-minded in their pursuit of humanitarian causes. Each is a gifted orator and excels at verbal communication. Relationships and personal contact are of highest priority and each one seek their intimate soul mate. Idealistic and impulsive, the Tiger, Horse and Dog follow the beat of their own drummer. Defiant against injustice, these three signs wilt without large amounts of physical affection and loyal support for causes. They are productive, enthusiastic, independent, engaging, dynamic, and honorable. They can also be rash, rebellious, quarrelsome, hot-headed, reckless, anxious, moody, disagreeable, stubborn, and vain.

The Fourth Trine

The fourth trine consists of the Rabbit, Goat and Pig. The quest for these three signs is the aesthetic and beautiful in life. They are artistic, refined, intuitive, and well-mannered. These souls love the preliminaries in love, and are fine artists in their lovemaking. The Rabbit, Goat and Pig have been bestowed with calmer natures than the other 9 signs. These three are compassionately aware, yet detached and resigned to their condition. They seek beauty and a sensitive lover. They are caring, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent. They can also be naive, gullible, pedantic, lazy, insecure, cunning, indecisive, and pessimistic.