Chinese Zodiac Sign Calculator
Enter your date of birth. We use the real Lunar New Year date for your year, so January and February births are correct.
Twelve animals, five elements
The Chinese zodiac runs in a 12-year cycle of animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. On top of that, five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) each last two years, which makes a full 60-year cycle. Every year is also yin or yang, alternating.
The catch is the start date. The Chinese year begins on Lunar New Year, which moves between 21 January and 20 February. Someone born on 20 January 1990 is a Snake, not a Horse, because the Year of the Horse only began on 27 January 1990. This is exactly the kind of mix-up the calculator avoids. We use a table of Lunar New Year dates from 1900 to 2100 worked out from the actual new moons, so January and February births land on the right animal.
Matches
Animals four years apart form friendly groups of three (like Rat, Dragon and Monkey). The animal six years away is your opposite sign, often described as a relationship that needs more patience.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my sign differ from the calendar year?+
The Chinese year starts on Lunar New Year, between 21 January and 20 February. If you were born before that date, you belong to the previous year's animal.
How is the element found?+
Elements run in pairs of years: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Years ending in 0-1 are Metal, 2-3 Water, 4-5 Wood, 6-7 Fire and 8-9 Earth.
What are best matches?+
Animals in the same group of three (four years apart) are seen as natural friends. The animal six years away is the opposite sign.
Is this related to Vedic astrology?+
No, it's a separate Chinese system. For your Vedic rashi, try our moon sign calculator.
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Want to go deeper?
Ask the Mygrah AI astrologer about your numbers, career, marriage timing or name in plain words.
Chat with AI astrologerReadings are for guidance and entertainment. They are not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice.