Starting from 2022 on Feb. 1 and lasting to 2023 on Jan. 21, 2022, is the Year of the Tiger according to the Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of water Tiger. So what is your Chinese zodiac animal?
- What is the Chinese zodiac?
- How to determine your Chinese zodiac sign?
- Chinese zodiac signs’ personality
- Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Lucky/Unlucky Things
- Chinese zodiac sign compatibility
Popular Chinese Zodiac Stuff
What is The Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac appeared in the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 B.C.) and was finalized in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China (25 – 220 A.D.). It is a treasure of the Chinese nation and a totemic system of Chinese beliefs. Every Chinese person is convinced of it. According to the year of each person’s birth, each person has his or her own Chinese zodiac sign. In Chinese culture, the Chinese zodiac is also applied to the month, day, and hour.
There is an interesting legend about the origin of the 12 zodiac signs. It is said that the Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to serve as palace guards. He ordered all the animals, as long as they could run to the Heavenly Court within the specified time, the first 12 could become the 12 zodiac signs. To everyone’s surprise, the clever mouse secretly hid on the back of a cow. When the cow ran to heaven with all its might, looking to get the first throne, the mouse ran ahead at the critical moment and took the first position. The cow could only bend the second. The tiger got the third and became the king of the forest. The rabbit got the fourth, accompanying the moon goddess Chang’e. The dragon got the fifth and became the lord of the ocean. Snake, horse, sheep, monkey, and rooster followed. The dog was punished to be the last one because it bit the rabbit among the pets. The pig ended up getting the last place because of laziness.
The above are just legends. In fact, the zodiac ranking cannot determine the strengths and weaknesses of the zodiac. Every zodiac sign has advantages and disadvantages. Just each has its own characteristics and emerges in different areas.
How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign?
People’s Chinese zodiac signs are based on their birth years. The “year” is defined by the Chinese lunar calendar, not the Gregorian year you are familiar with from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st.
The dates of the Chinese Lunar New Year vary every year but will fall on a day in January or February. If you were born on a day from March to December, it won’t be difficult to figure out your zodiac animal sign. But for people birthed in January or February, there are bigger chances of mistaking their signs. You should check your signs carefully if born in January or February.
Chinese Zodiac Comparative Table
| Zodiac | Birth Years | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1924 Feb. 05, 1924 – Jan. 23, 1925 |
1936 Jan. 24, 1936 – Feb. 10, 1937 |
1948 Feb. 10, 1948 – Jan. 28, 1949 |
| 1960 Jan. 28, 1960 – Feb. 14, 1961 |
1972 Feb. 15, 1972 – Feb. 02, 1973 |
1984 Feb. 02, 1984 – Feb. 19, 1985 |
|
| 1996 Feb. 19, 1996 – Feb. 06, 1997 |
2008 Feb. 07, 2008 – Jan. 25, 2009 |
2020 Jan. 25, 2020 – Feb. 11, 2021 |
|
| Ox | 1925 Jan. 24, 1925 – Feb. 12, 1926 |
1937 Feb. 11, 1937 – Jan. 30, 1938 |
1949 Jan. 29, 1949 – Feb. 16, 1950 |
| 1961 Feb. 15, 1961 – Feb. 04, 1962 |
1973 Feb. 03, 1973 – Jan. 22, 1974 |
1985 Feb. 20, 1985 – Feb. 08, 1986 |
|
| 1997 Feb. 07, 1997 – Jan. 27, 1998 |
2009 Jan. 26, 2009 – Feb. 13, 2010 |
2021 Feb. 12, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022 |
|
| Tiger | 1926 Feb. 13, 1926 – Feb. 01, 1927 |
1938 Jan. 31, 1938 – Feb. 18, 1939 |
1950 Feb. 17, 1950 – Feb. 05, 1951 |
| 1962 Feb. 05, 1962 – Jan. 24, 1963 |
1974 Jan. 23, 1974 – Feb. 10, 1975 |
1986 Feb. 09, 1986 – Jan. 28, 1987 |
|
| 1998 Jan. 28, 1998 – Feb. 15, 1999 |
2010 Feb. 14, 2010 – Feb. 02, 2011 |
2022 Feb. 01, 2022 – Jan. 21, 2023 |
|
| Rabbit | 1927 Feb. 02, 1927 – Jan. 22, 1928 |
1939 Feb. 19, 1939 – Feb. 07, 1940 |
1951 Feb. 06, 1951 – Jan. 26, 1952 |
| 1963 Jan. 25, 1963 – Feb. 12, 1964 |
1975 Feb. 11, 1975 – Jan. 30, 1976 |
1987 Jan. 29, 1987 – Feb. 16, 1988 |
|
| 1999 Feb. 16, 1999 – Feb. 04, 2000 |
2011 Feb. 03, 2011 – Jan. 22, 2012 |
2023 Jan. 22, 2023 – Feb. 09, 2024 |
|
| Dragon | 1928 Jan. 23, 1928 – Feb. 09, 1929 |
1940 Feb. 08, 1940 – Jan. 26, 1941 |
1952 Jan. 27, 1952 – Feb. 13, 1953 |
| 1964 Feb. 13, 1964 – Feb. 01, 1965 |
1976 Jan. 31, 1976 – Feb. 17, 1977 |
1988 Feb. 17, 1988 – Feb. 05, 1989 |
|
| 2000 Feb. 05, 2000 – Jan. 23, 2001 |
2012 Jan. 23, 2012 – Feb. 09, 2013 |
2024 Feb. 10, 2024 – Jan. 28, 2025 |
|
| Snake | 1929 Feb. 10, 1929 – Jan. 29, 1930 |
1941 Jan. 27, 1941 – Feb. 14, 1942 |
1953 Feb. 14, 1953 – Feb. 02, 1954 |
| 1965 Feb. 02, 1965 – Jan. 20, 1966 |
1977 Feb. 18, 1977 – Feb. 06, 1978 |
1989 Feb. 06, 1989 – Jan. 26, 1990 |
|
| 2001 Jan. 24, 2001 – Feb. 11, 2002 |
2013 Feb. 10, 2013 – Jan. 30, 2014 |
2025 Jan. 29, 2025 – Feb. 16, 2026 |
|
| Horse | 1930 Jan. 30, 1930 – Feb. 16, 1931 |
1942 Feb. 15, 1942 – Feb. 04, 1943 |
1954 Feb. 03, 1954 – Jan. 23, 1955 |
| 1966 Jan. 21, 1966 – Feb. 08, 1967 |
1978 Feb. 07, 1978 – Jan. 27, 1979 |
1990 Jan. 27, 1990 – Feb. 14, 1991 |
|
| 2002 Feb. 12, 2002 – Jan. 31, 2003 |
2014 Jan. 31, 2014 – Feb. 18, 2015 |
2026 Feb. 17, 2026 – Feb. 05, 2027 |
|
| Sheep | 1931 Feb. 17, 1931 – Feb. 05, 1932 |
1943 Feb. 05, 1943 – Jan. 24, 1944 |
1955 Jan. 24, 1955 – Feb. 11, 1956 |
| 1967 Feb. 09, 1967 – Jan. 29, 1968 |
1979 Jan. 28, 1979 – Feb. 15, 1980 |
1991 Feb. 15, 1991 – Feb. 03, 1992 |
|
| 2003 Feb. 01, 2003 – Jan. 21, 2004 |
2015 Feb. 19, 2015 – Feb. 07, 2016 |
2027 Feb. 06, 2027 – Jan. 25, 2028 |
|
| Monkey | 1932 Feb. 06, 1932 – Jan. 25, 1933 |
1944 Jan. 25, 1944 – Feb. 12, 1945 |
1956 Feb. 12, 1956 – Jan. 30, 1957 |
| 1968 Jan. 30, 1968 – Feb. 16, 1969 |
1980 Feb. 16, 1980 – Feb. 04, 1981 |
1992 Feb. 04, 1992 – Jan. 22, 1993 |
|
| 2004 Jan. 22, 2004 – Feb. 08, 2005 |
2016 Feb. 08, 2016 – Jan. 27, 2017 |
2028 Jan. 26, 2028 – Feb. 12, 2029 |
|
| Rooster | 1933 Jan. 26, 1933 – Feb. 13, 1934 |
1945 Feb. 13, 1945 – Feb. 01, 1946 |
1957 Jan. 31, 1957 – Feb. 17, 1958 |
| 1969 Feb. 17, 1969 – Feb. 05, 1970 |
1981 Feb. 05, 1981 – Jan. 24, 1982 |
1993 Jan. 23, 1993 – Feb. 09, 1994 |
|
| 2005 Feb. 09, 2005 – Jan. 28, 2006 |
2017 Jan. 28, 2017 – Feb. 15, 2018 |
2029 Feb. 13, 2029 – Feb. 02, 2030 |
|
| Dog | 1934 Feb. 14, 1934 – Feb. 03, 1935 |
1946 Feb. 02, 1946 – Jan. 21, 1947 |
1958 Feb. 18, 1958 – Feb. 07, 1959 |
| 1970 Feb. 06, 1970 – Jan. 26, 1971 |
1982 Jan. 25, 1982 – Feb. 12, 1983 |
1994 Feb. 10, 1994 – Jan. 30, 1995 |
|
| 2006 Jan. 29, 2006 – Feb. 17, 2007 |
2018 Feb. 16, 2018 – Feb. 04, 2019 |
2030 Feb. 03, 2030 – Jan. 22, 2031 |
|
| Pig | 1935 Feb. 04, 1935 – Jan. 23, 1936 |
1947 Jan. 22, 1947 – Feb. 09, 1948 |
1959 Feb. 08, 1959 – Jan. 27, 1960 |
| 1971 Jan. 27, 1971 – Feb. 14, 1972 |
1983 Feb. 13, 1983 – Feb. 01, 1984 |
1995 Jan. 31, 1995 – Feb. 18, 1996 |
|
| 2007 Feb. 18, 2007 – Feb. 06, 2008 |
2019 Feb. 05, 2019 – Jan. 24, 2020 |
2031 Jan. 23, 2031 – Feb. 10, 2032 |
|
Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Personality
Chinese zodiac animals have astrological and cultural meanings. Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. It’s believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal.
Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.
Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.
Tiger: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.
Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.
Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.
Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.
Horse: animated, active, energetic.
Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.
Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.
Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.
Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.
Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.
Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Lucky/Unlucky Things
Lucky Things
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Lucky Numbers | Lucky Colors | Lucky Flowers | Lucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 2, 3 | blue, gold, green | lily, African violet | west, northwest and southwest |
| Ox | 1, 4 | white, yellow, green | tulip, peach blossom | north, south |
| Tiger | 1, 3, 4 | blue, gray, orange | yellow lily, cineraria | east, north, south |
| Rabbit | 3, 4, 6 | red, pink, purple, blue | plantain lily, jasmine | east, south and northwest |
| Dragon | 1, 6, 7 | gold, silver, grayish white | bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers | east, north, south |
| Snake | 2, 8, 9 | black, red, and yellow | orchid and cactus | east, west, and southwest |
| Horse | 2, 3, 7 | yellow and green | calla lily and jasmine | east, west, and south |
| Goat | 2, 7 | brown, red, and purple | carnations and primroses | north |
| Monkey | 4, 9 | white, blue, gold | chrysanthemum, crape myrtle | north, northwest, west |
| Rooster | 5, 7, 8 | gold, brown, and yellow | gladiola, cockscomb | south, southeast |
| Dog | 3, 4, 9 | red, green, and purple | rose, cymbidium orchids | east, south, and northeast |
| Pig | 2, 5, 8 | yellow, gray, brown, gold | hydrangea and daisy | east and southwest |
Unlucky Things
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Unlucky Numbers | Unlucky Colors | Unlucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 5, 9 | yellow, brown | south and southeast |
| Ox | 5, 6 | blue | southwest |
| Tiger | 6, 7, 8 | brown | southwest |
| Rabbit | 1, 7, 8 | dark brown, dark yellow, white | north, west, and southwest |
| Dragon | 3, 8 | blue, green | northwest |
| Snake | 1, 6, 7 | brown, gold, white | northeast and northwest |
| Horse | 1, 5, 6 | blue, white | north and northwest |
| Goat | 4, 9 | blue and black | southwest |
| Monkey | 2, 7 | red, pink | south, southeast |
| Rooster | 1, 3, 9 | red | east |
| Dog | 1, 6, 7 | blue, white, gold | southeast |
| Pig | 1, 7, | red, blue, green | southeast |
Chinese Zodiac Sign Compatibility
Regarding the principle of the zodiac animals’ compatibility, I have checked a lot of English stuff, and most of them are wrong and inconsistent with the traditional Chinese saying, and there are large deviations.
The Chinese zodiac animals are divided into 2 cases, one is the simple theory of 3-6 (Better match and best match), and the other is related to the five elements properties (this method is very complicated, so I will not express it in this article).
In this article, we will only briefly describe the phases of the zodiac from 3-6 theory.
Please see the illustration below to check if you and your partner are compatible!
| Zodiac Animal | Better Match | Best Match |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Dragon, Monkey | Ox |
| Ox | Snake, Rooster | Rat |
| Tiger | Dragon, Horse | Pig |
| Rabbit | Sheep, Pig | Dog |
| Dragon | Rat, Monkey | Rooster |
| Snake | Ox, Rooster | Monkey |
| Horse | Tiger, Dog | Sheep |
| Sheep | Rabbit, Pig | Horse |
| Monkey | Rat, Dragon | Snake |
| Rooster | Ox, Snake | Dragon |
| Dog | Tiger, Horse | Rabbit |
| Pig | Rabbit, Sheep | Tiger |