From street stalls to New Year parades, the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are all around China. Learn the basics and you’ll connect more easily, shop smarter, and travel deeper.
What Is the Chinese Zodiac?
Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals, each with distinct symbolic meanings. In order, they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
You’ll frequently see these animals on calendars, red envelopes, street decorations, and tourist merchandise. While many descriptions focus on personality traits, travelers can use the zodiac as a cultural shorthand.
For example, someone born in the Year of the Dragon is often associated with confidence and ambition, while the Rabbit suggests gentleness and diplomacy. Even a basic awareness helps you follow conversations and appreciate the symbolism behind gifts, décor, and seasonal themes.
What's Your Chinese Zodiac?
Unlike Western astrology, which divides the year into 12 monthly windows, the Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle. Each year is ruled by an animal, and that animal leaves its paw print on everyone born during that lunar year.
But here's where most people get it wrong: Lunar New Year doesn't fall on January 1. If you were born in January or early February, you might actually belong to the previous year's animal .
Find your sign below (recent years only):
Zodiac Sign | Recent Birth Years | Key Traits |
Rat | 2008, 1996, 1984, 2020 | Clever, Resourceful, Social, Opportunistic |
Ox | 2009, 1997, 1985, 2021 | Steady, Reliable, Hardworking, Practical |
Tiger | 2010, 1998, 1986, 2022 | Brave, Competitive, Adventurous |
Rabbit | 2011, 1999, 1987, 2023 | Gentle, Artistic, Diplomatic |
Dragon | 2012, 2000, 1988, 2024 | Charismatic, Ambitious, Lucky |
Snake | 2013, 2001, 1989, 2025 | Intuitive, Private, Strategic |
Horse | 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978 | Energetic, Independent, Sociable |
Goat (Sheep) | 2015, 2003, 1991, 2027 | Gentle, Creative, Calm |
Monkey | 2016, 2004, 1992, 2028 | Curious, Clever, Playful |
Rooster | 2017, 2005, 1993, 2029 | Direct, Organized, Observant |
Dog | 2018, 2006, 1994, 2030 | Loyal, Honest, Social |
Pig | 2019, 2007, 1995, 2031 | Generous, Easygoing, Food-loving |
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Why a Friend Born in "Your Year" Isn't Just Like You
This is the part of Chinese astrology that Western horoscope readers find most mind-bending.
Every zodiac sign has a "fixed" element that doesn't change:
Sign | Fixed Element |
Rat | Water |
Ox | Earth |
Tiger | Wood |
Rabbit | Wood |
Dragon | Earth |
Snake | Fire |
Horse | Fire |
Goat | Earth |
Monkey | Metal |
Rooster | Metal |
Dog | Earth |
Pig | Water |
But every year also has an element. So if you were born in 1997—an Ox year, which is fixed-element Earth—but 1997 ends in 7, which is the Fire element—you're not just an Ox. You're a Fire Ox .
This is how two people born in the same animal year can have completely different personalities. A Metal Rat (1960) operates very differently from a Fire Rat (1996).
How to find your element:
Look at the last digit of your birth year :
- 0 or 1: Metal
- 2 or 3: Water
- 4 or 5: Wood
- 6 or 7: Fire
- 8 or 9: Earth
Chinese Zodiac: Who You Click With (And Who Drives You Nuts)？
Zodiac Animal Trines
The 12 animals are divided into four trines—groups of three signs that naturally understand each other .
- First Trine (Water Element): Rat, Dragon, Monkey
Ambitious, creative, adaptable. These three get each other's drive and don't take ambition personally.
- Second Trine (Metal Element): Ox, Snake, Rooster
Disciplined, detail-oriented, perseverant. No one else respects hard work quite like these three.
- Third Trine (Fire Element): Tiger, Horse, Dog
Intuitive, emotionally expressive, freedom-loving. These signs need space but crave loyalty.
- Fourth Trine (Wood Element): Rabbit, Goat, Pig
Sociable, creative, harmony-seeking. Conflict-avoidant in the best way—they'd rather find common ground than win an argument.
Chinese Zodiac Travel: China Has a City for Each Animal Sign
This is where the Chinese zodiac moves from "abstract personality system" to actual travel planning.
According to Chinese cultural interpretation, every animal sign has a corresponding city that matches its energy .
Sign | City | Why |
Rat | Shenyang | Resourceful, rapidly developing |
Ox | Wuhan | Hardworking, "ox temper"—rising prosperity |
Tiger | Beijing | Imperial supremacy, commanding presence |
Rabbit | Hangzhou | Exquisite, beloved, "paradise on Earth" |
Dragon | Shanghai | Dominant, competitive, emperor energy |
Snake | Tianjin | "Lesser dragon"—cautious but persistent |
Horse | Shenzhen | Dark horse, fastest development in China |
Goat | Guangzhou | "Goat City"—ancient legend, five immortals |
Monkey | Nanjing | Competitive but cooperative |
Rooster | Xi'an | Dawn of Chinese civilization |
Dog | Chongqing | Loyal, striving, rapid development |
Pig | Chengdu | Laid-back, "land of abundance" |
Bonus: If you're a Monkey, Hangzhou's Xixi Wetland National Park and its historic dragon boat contests are particularly recommended for your adventurous, curious nature .
China Hotels Recommendations
Book discounted China hotels on Trip.com—my go-to for booking reliable stays.
What to Prepare for a Trip to China?
- Visa & Entry Tips China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy now covers 54 countries, incl. the US, UK, Canada, and Brazil, allowing up to 10 days during layovers. Learn more about China Entry Tips to land in China easily.
- Getting Connected VPNs are vital for accessing Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc in China. Set one up before arriving. China eSIMs are the easiest option for data and bypassing restrictions. Pocket Wi-Fi devices work best for group but are pricier and require pickup/return.
- Money Exchange & Tax Refunds Exchange money in China banks (better rates than airports). ATMs accept foreign cards, but notify your bank first. For tax refunds, spend over ¥500 at stores with a "Tax-Free" sign. Keep receipts and get forms stamped at customs before departure.
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Payment Apps Forget cash. Chinese use Alipay (I like it better) or WeChat Pay to pay for everything in China. Scan a QR code at noodle stalls, metros, even temples. Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard before landing.
- China Map Apps Amap (Gaode Map) & Baidu Map (limited English) is what locals use, with real-time navigation, metro/bus routes, and traffic updates. Apple Maps does a good job too if you're already an IOS user.
- China Transport Apps Street taxis are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Use China Taxi App like DiDi (China’s Uber)—set your destination in English, pay by Alipay.
- China Travel Apps 15+ China trips taught me: Use Trip.com. It's the best English app for booking China trains/flights/hotels + finds Trip.com deals.
- China Dating Apps Locals use Tantan (China’s Tinder) and Momo. WeChat’s “People Nearby” works too, but expect language barriers unless your Mandarin’s decent.
- China Food App Use Meituan (also helps find nearby restaurants) or Ele.me for food delivery—both have English mode. No English menu in restaurants? Scan the QR with Alipay's translator.
FAQs about Chinese Zodiac
What are the 12 zodiacs in China?
The Chinese zodiac, or Shēngxiào, is a 12-year cycle where each year is represented by a specific animal. The traditional order, based on the ancient folk tale of The Great Race, is as follows: Rat、Ox、Tiger、Rabbit、Dragon、Snake、Horse、Goat (sometimes listed as Sheep or Ram)、Monkey、Rooster、Dog、PigAre the Chinese and Japanese zodiac signs the same?
Zodiacs in other East Asian countries follow the same 12-year cycle as the Chinese zodiac, but with local twists. Differences mainly appear in animal choices and origin stories—for example, the Japanese zodiac uses a wild boar instead of a pig, a cat instead of a rabbit, and a goat in place of a sheep.Which Chinese animal is the luckiest?
In countries that follow the Chinese zodiac, or in regions with large Chinese communities, birth rates often rise noticeably during the Year of the Dragon. This is because Dragon-year births are widely seen as especially lucky and associated with strength, success, and leadership, prompting some families to plan births around that year.How do I find my birth animal?
To find your zodiac animal, match your birth year on a zodiac calendar — but remember the sign switches on Lunar New Year (which falls in January or February), so if you were born in January or February check whether your birthday came before or after that year’s Lunar New Year.Is the zodiac from China?
The zodiac began in China and later arrived in Japan with Buddhism—though the Chinese system itself predates Buddhism. In Japan it’s usually called the “12 animals” or jūnishi (often written “juunishi” in romaji), a term you’ll frequently see in manga and anime.