As most people know, the Chinese Lunar cycle is not based on 12 linear months, as in the Western calendar, but on a 12-year repeating cycle. Each astrological animal symbol represents not a month, but a year. And again, unlike the Western calendar that is based upon the movements of the Sun, the Chinese astrological calendar has its deep and ancient roots in the movements of the Moon. That’s why it can be confusing when you are trying to figure out what your Chinese Astrological Sign is. Chinese New Year is different every year unlike the Western calendar, it’s not every Jan 1st. 

I created a Chart for those who want to know when is the next Chinese New Year Good Until 2024.

Story Time about the Chinese Zodiac Signs

There are many myths and legends about how the 12 animals representing the 12 years in a lunar cycle came into being. One of the most popular is that the Lord Buddha called all the animals to come to him before departing this earth.

Only 12 animals came, and as a reward, he named a lunar year after each according to the order in which it arrived.

The Rat was the first to get there, crossing the final river on the back of the Ox and jumping down in front.

Following them were the Tiger, Rabbit (Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat, Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (Pig).

The Chinese believe that at their New Year, everyone becomes a year older. They also believe that the year of a person’s birth is the primary factor in determining that person’s personality traits, physical and mental attributes and degree of success and happiness throughout his/her lifetime.

The compatibility of the animal signs in the Chinese system of astrology is similar to the favorable and unfavorable aspects in the western astrology.

Each animal sign is 30 degrees apart and in a clockwise direction.

0 Degree (Same sign) – Intensity, can be favorable or unfavorable
30 Degrees – Growth, can be uncomfortable
90 Degrees (Square) – Challenges (Example: Rat and Rabbit)
120 Degrees – Comfortable (Example: Rat and Dragon)
150 Degrees – Adjustments
180 Degrees (Opposite) – Confrontation (Example: Rat and Horse)

Here you will learn the basic Chinese Astrology.

If you have a hard time understanding or Just want to know what your Chinese Astrological Or Animal Sign is.  I recommend this site    or this  one

What’s your zodiac animal?

In order, they are: rat (鼠—shǔ), ox (牛—niú), tiger (虎—hǔ), rabbit (兔—tù), dragon (龙—lóng), snake (蛇—shé), horse (马—mǎ), goat (羊—yang), monkey (猴—hóu), rooster (鸡—jī), dog (狗—gǒu), and pig (猪—zhū).

The zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years, making it easy to figure out whether it’s your year- just check if your age is a multiple of 12! Here are the 12 zodiac animals in order with accompanying years:

 The advance Chinese Astrology goes much deeper than just the 12 animal signs, much as the Western Astrology does with the basic 12 Sun signs versus an individual’s specific chart.

In advance Chinese Astrology, one will learn Bazi or often called   Pa-Chee (or 8 Characters) — Four Pillars of Destiny which consists of the Year of Birth, the Month of Birth, the Day of Birth, and the Hour of Birth.  I highly recommend Joey Yap’s Bazi courses. 

Have Fun! 

Here is some more reading on Each Zodiac Animal trait

What’s your zodiac animal?

In order, they are:

rat (鼠—shǔ),

ox (牛—niú),

tiger (虎—hǔ),

rabbit (兔—tù),

dragon (龙—lóng),

snake (蛇—shé),

horse (马—mǎ)

 goat (羊—yang),

monkey (猴—hóu),

rooster (鸡—jī),

dog (狗—gǒu),

and pig (猪—zhū).