Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Enter your birth year to discover your Chinese zodiac animal and ruling element.
For entertainment purposes only. If you were born in January or February, your sign may belong to the previous year.
What is the Chinese zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac (生肖, shēngxiào) is a 12-year cycle in which each year is associated with an animal and one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Together these form a 60-year grand cycle that has been used for centuries to describe personality traits and forecast fortune.
The current cycle began in 1984 (Wood Rat). Each element governs two consecutive years before rotating, while the animal sign advances one step every year.
FAQ
Does the Chinese New Year affect my sign? Yes — if you were born before the Lunar New Year (usually late January or February), your sign belongs to the previous year. This calculator uses the solar year as an approximation; for exact results check your Lunar birth date.
Is this tool accurate? It gives the correct animal and element for the vast majority of birth dates. It is intended for entertainment and educational purposes only.