Learn
What is a Chinese animal sign?
The animal of the Chinese year you were born in, how the year boundary works, and a way to find yours.
Twelve animals, repeating
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. The cycle restarts every twelve years, so 1990 and 2002 are both Horse.
The year does not start on 1 January
Chinese years begin at Chinese New Year, a new moon in late January or February. If you were born in January or the first weeks of February, you belong to the previous animal until that date. Every date here is computed from the same kernel the almanac uses.
Find yours
Pick your birth date, or just the year.
No exact date? Enter a year:
The twelve years
| Animal | Recent years |
|---|---|
| Rat | 2020 · 2008 · 1996 · 1984 · 1972 · 1960 |
| Ox | 2021 · 2009 · 1997 · 1985 · 1973 · 1961 |
| Tiger | 2022 · 2010 · 1998 · 1986 · 1974 · 1962 |
| Rabbit | 2023 · 2011 · 1999 · 1987 · 1975 · 1963 |
| Dragon | 2024 · 2012 · 2000 · 1988 · 1976 · 1964 |
| Snake | 2025 · 2013 · 2001 · 1989 · 1977 · 1965 |
| Horse | 2026 · 2014 · 2002 · 1990 · 1978 · 1966 |
| Goat | 2015 · 2003 · 1991 · 1979 · 1967 · 1955 |
| Monkey | 2016 · 2004 · 1992 · 1980 · 1968 · 1956 |
| Rooster | 2017 · 2005 · 1993 · 1981 · 1969 · 1957 |
| Dog | 2018 · 2006 · 1994 · 1982 · 1970 · 1958 |
| Pig | 2019 · 2007 · 1995 · 1983 · 1971 · 1959 |
What it is not
An animal sign is a calendar label, not a personality type. GoodOmen uses it for one thing: the day's clash. Every day is opposite one animal; if that is yours, the almanac says keep the big plan light rather than stay in bed.