Chinese Astrology
Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Enter your birth date to find your animal sign (Lunar New Year rules, not January 1). Read yearly forecasts for Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, and all twelve signs.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac is one of the oldest and most widely followed astrological traditions in the world. At its heart is a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Rat opens the cycle; Pig closes it. Some texts use Sheep for Goat or Boar for Pig; the meaning stays the same.
Origins and the twelve animals
Historians generally agree that the zodiac grew out of early traditions tied to the worship and symbolism of animals. A formal zodiac system has existed in Chinese culture since the Qin dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago. Chinese astrology is closely linked to classical ideas of harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity, and to the philosophical frameworks that shaped Chinese thought over centuries.
How your sign is determined
Your Chinese zodiac sign is decided primarily by your year of birth relative to Lunar New Year, not January 1 on the Western calendar. If you were born in January or early February, you may belong to the previous animal year. In traditional teaching, animal symbols can also be associated with months, days, and hours, but for most people, the birth year is what defines the sign.
Chinese horoscope by date of birth also draws on Yin and Yang and the balanced theory of the five elements (Wu Xing): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Together, these ideas are used to describe personality patterns, timing, and the tone of a given year.
The five elements (Wu Xing)
Some ancient Chinese scholars focused on the natural order of things rather than the stars alone. They held that everything could be understood through five basic forces: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements were studied for how they support or challenge one another, for example, Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal enriches Water, and Water nourishes Wood.
What you’ll find on Astrologylo
Use the calculator above to find your sign from your date of birth, then open your animal’s page for a 2026 Chinese horoscope, profile traits, and birth-year guidance. Each sign card below shows recent birth years, or pick a sign to see the full list on its profile. Whether you are exploring compatibility or simply curious about the year ahead, the twelve signs offer a practical entry point into Chinese astrology: clear, symbolic, and rooted in a tradition that has endured for millennia.
Twelve Animals
Choose Your Zodiac Sign
1972 1984 1996 2008 2020
- Element · Water
- Energy · Yang
Intelligent, adaptable, and resourceful. Rats lead the twelve-year cycle with quick thinking and sharp survival instincts.
Rat 2026 horoscope1973 1985 1997 2009 2021
- Element · Earth
- Energy · Yin
Steady, loyal, and hardworking. The Ox is the bedrock of the zodiac, prized for patience and unshakeable determination.
Ox 2026 horoscope1974 1986 1998 2010 2022
- Element · Wood
- Energy · Yang
Bold, charismatic, and competitive. Tigers bring courage and magnetic confidence to every challenge they face.
Tiger 2026 horoscope1975 1987 1999 2011 2023
- Element · Wood
- Energy · Yin
Gentle, diplomatic, and intuitive. The Rabbit values peace, refined taste, and thoughtful relationships.
Rabbit 2026 horoscope1976 1988 2000 2012 2024
- Element · Earth
- Energy · Yang
Ambitious, lucky, and visionary. Dragons command attention with natural leadership and fearless drive.
Dragon 2026 horoscope1977 1989 2001 2013 2025
- Element · Fire
- Energy · Yin
Wise, strategic, and perceptive. Snakes read situations deeply and act with calm, calculated precision.
Snake 2026 horoscope1978 1990 2002 2014 2026
- Element · Fire
- Energy · Yang
Energetic, independent, and sociable. Horses love freedom, movement, and the thrill of new experiences.
Horse 2026 horoscope1967 1979 1991 2003 2015
- Element · Earth
- Energy · Yin
Creative, kind, and artistic. Sheep (Goat) signs nurture harmony, beauty, and emotional warmth.
Sheep 2026 horoscope1968 1980 1992 2004 2016
- Element · Metal
- Energy · Yang
Clever, playful, and inventive. Monkeys solve problems fast with humor, curiosity, and agile minds.
Monkey 2026 horoscope1969 1981 1993 2005 2017
- Element · Metal
- Energy · Yin
Confident, precise, and observant. Roosters take pride in honesty, order, and polished presentation.
Rooster 2026 horoscope1970 1982 1994 2006 2018
- Element · Earth
- Energy · Yang
Loyal, protective, and fair-minded. Dogs stand by their people with devotion and a strong moral compass.
Dog 2026 horoscope1971 1983 1995 2007 2019
- Element · Water
- Energy · Yin
Generous, sincere, and easygoing. Pigs enjoy life's comforts and bring warmth, humor, and goodwill.
Pig 2026 horoscopeOur approach
How we calculate your Chinese zodiac sign
Astrologylo assigns your Chinese zodiac animal from your full date of birth, not from the calendar year on your ID alone. Each animal year begins on Lunar New Year (between late January and mid-February), not January 1.
Example: Lunar New Year 1990 fell on January 27. Born January 20, 1990 counts as the Year of the Snake (1989 in the zodiac cycle). Born February 5, 1990 counts as the Year of the Horse.
The calculator above applies this rule to every birth date from 1900 to 2100 using our Lunar New Year reference dates. For the full birth-year list for each animal, open any sign profile below. See also our editorial methodology.