Chinese Zodiac Calculator: Find Your Zodiac Animal and Element
The Chinese zodiac (生肖, shēngxiào) is one of the oldest known astrological systems in the world, assigning one of twelve animals to each year in a repeating cycle. Whether you want to learn about your own personality traits, check compatibility with a partner, or simply explore a tradition that has shaped Chinese culture for thousands of years, our Chinese Zodiac Calculator makes it easy.
How to Use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator
- Enter your birth year in the input field (for example, 1990)
- Click “Find My Zodiac” or press Enter to see your result
- View your zodiac animal with its emoji, Chinese character, element, and personality traits
- Explore the detail cards showing your lucky numbers, colors, strengths, weaknesses, and best compatibility matches
- Click any animal in the 12-animal grid to learn about other signs
- Read the full article by clicking “Learn more about your sign” for an in-depth guide
Understanding the Chinese Zodiac
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year assigned to one of twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The cycle then repeats.
According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race across a river to determine the order of the zodiac. The clever Rat hitched a ride on the Ox and jumped off at the last moment to finish first, while the Pig stopped to eat and arrived last.
Your zodiac animal is determined by your birth year. However, the Chinese calendar follows the Lunar New Year, which falls between late January and mid-February. If you were born in January or early February, your zodiac sign may actually correspond to the previous year.
The Five Elements
Beyond the 12 animals, the Chinese zodiac incorporates the Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element modifies the personality traits of your zodiac animal, creating a 60-year grand cycle before the exact same combination repeats.
| Last Digit of Year | Element |
|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Metal |
| 2 or 3 | Water |
| 4 or 5 | Wood |
| 6 or 7 | Fire |
| 8 or 9 | Earth |
For example, someone born in 1990 is a Metal Horse, while someone born in 1996 is a Fire Rat. The element adds another layer of nuance to your zodiac personality.
Zodiac Compatibility Overview
Each zodiac sign has natural allies and challenging matches. Compatibility is based on the positions within the cycle and the associated elements.
Best compatibility groups (Trines):
- Rat, Dragon, Monkey — Action-oriented, ambitious, and positive
- Ox, Snake, Rooster — Deep thinkers, determined, and purposeful
- Tiger, Horse, Dog — Free spirits, adventurous, and idealistic
- Rabbit, Goat, Pig — Peace-loving, creative, and compassionate
Signs that are six positions apart (such as Rat and Horse, or Rabbit and Rooster) tend to have the most challenging relationships, though differences can also be complementary.
What the Calculator Shows You
- Zodiac animal with emoji and Chinese character
- Fixed element associated with your animal sign
- Year element based on the Heavenly Stems cycle
- Yin or Yang polarity of your sign
- Personality traits summarizing your sign’s characteristics
- Strengths and weaknesses displayed as easy-to-read tags
- Most compatible signs for relationships and partnerships
- Lucky numbers and colors traditionally associated with your sign
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chinese zodiac the same as Western astrology? No. Western astrology is based on your birth month and the position of the sun relative to constellations (Aries, Taurus, etc.). The Chinese zodiac is based on your birth year and follows a 12-year animal cycle. Many people enjoy exploring both systems.
Why does the Chinese zodiac year start in February, not January? The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, meaning it follows the cycles of the moon and the sun. The Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which lands between January 21 and February 20 each year.
What if I was born in January or early February? Your zodiac animal might belong to the previous year. For example, if you were born on January 15, 1990, the Lunar New Year hadn’t occurred yet, so your zodiac animal would be Snake (1989) rather than Horse (1990). Check the exact Lunar New Year date for your birth year.
How accurate is the Chinese zodiac? The Chinese zodiac is a cultural and philosophical tradition, not a science. Many people find that the personality descriptions resonate with their experience, while others view it as a fun cultural exploration. Like all astrological systems, it should be taken as entertainment and cultural insight rather than fact.
Try our free Chinese Zodiac Calculator to discover your zodiac animal, element, and personality traits.
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