The Chinese zodiac (生肖, Shēngxiào) is a 12-year cycle where each year is represented by an animal — Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. For thousands of years these signs have shaped culture across China and East Asia, from personality traits to lucky charms and guardian gifts.
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
Find Your Sign
Each sign is guarded by a bodhisattva in the Benming Fo (本命佛) tradition, and pairs with certain signs more harmoniously than others. Explore your animal below for traits, lucky elements, guardian gifts, and compatibility.
- Interactive Zodiac Compatibility Calculator →
- The Five Elements (Wu Xing) →
- Yearly Zodiac Forecasts →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order?
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig — repeating every 12 years.
How do I know my Chinese zodiac sign?
Your sign is the animal of your birth year in the lunar calendar. Because the lunar new year falls in late January or February, check a year-conversion chart if you were born in early spring.
What is a zodiac guardian gift?
A guardian gift pairs your birth-year animal with symbolic jewelry (jade pendant, red-string bracelet, silver necklace) as a cultural keepsake — a tradition tied to the Benming Fo guardian bodhisattva.
Are Chinese zodiac signs the same as Western astrology?
No. The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year animal cycle tied to the lunar calendar, while Western astrology uses 12 monthly star signs. The word “zodiac” overlaps, but the systems differ.