Chinese astrology
← Back to guides
The twelve animals, the five elements and how to work out your sign, taking Chinese New Year into account.
Chinese signChinese astrology: introductionUnderstand Chinese astrology: the 12 animals, the 5 elements, yin and yang, the 60-year cycle and the lunar new year. A symbolic tradition, presented honestly.Chinese signCalculating your Chinese sign and the Chinese New YearFind your Chinese animal and element with a simple division, then check the exact Chinese New Year dates from 1940 to 2035.Chinese signChinese sign: RatThe Rat opens the cycle of the twelve Chinese animals. Years, element, symbolic portrait, the legend of the Great Race, traditional compatibility and nuances by the five elements.Chinese signChinese sign: OxThe Ox, second animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, element, symbolic portrait, the spring ox, the legend of the Great Race, traditional compatibility and five variants.Chinese signChinese sign: TigerThe Tiger, third animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Wood element, symbolic portrait, the guardian tiger and the “king” mark, traditional compatibility and nuances by element.Chinese signChinese sign: RabbitThe Rabbit, fourth animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Wood element, symbolic portrait, the Moon rabbit, the Tu’er Ye figure, the Vietnamese cat and traditional compatibility.Chinese signChinese sign: DragonThe Dragon, fifth animal of the Chinese zodiac and the only mythical one: years, Earth element, symbolic portrait, the imperial dragon, Dragon Boat Festival and traditional compatibility.Chinese signChinese zodiac: SnakeThe Snake, sixth animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Fire element, symbolic portrait, the “little dragon”, Fuxi and Nüwa, the legend of the White Snake and traditional affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: HorseThe Horse, seventh animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Fire element, symbolic portrait, celestial horses, the Fire Horse of 1966 and 2026, a Japanese superstition and affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: GoatThe Goat (or sheep), eighth animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Earth element, symbolic portrait, the character 羊 and good omen, the five rams of Guangzhou (Canton) and traditional affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: MonkeyThe Monkey, ninth animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Metal element, symbolic portrait, Sun Wukong, a pun on the title of marquis and traditional affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: RoosterThe Rooster, tenth animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Metal element, symbolic portrait, five virtues of the rooster, a pun with 吉, the first day of the New Year and affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: DogThe Dog, eleventh animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Earth element, symbolic portrait, the celestial dog of eclipses, a pun with 旺 and traditional affinities.Chinese signChinese zodiac: PigThe Pig, twelfth and last animal of the Chinese zodiac: years, Water element, symbolic portrait, the character 家, Zhu Bajie, the golden pig year of 2007 and traditional affinities.Chinese signChinese element: WoodThe Wood element in Chinese astrology: years ending in 4 and 5, spring, east, green, Jupiter, the generating and controlling cycles, the Tiger and the Rabbit, and the nayin nuance.Chinese signChinese element: FireThe Fire element in Chinese astrology: years ending in 6 and 7, summer, south, red, Mars, the Snake and the Horse, Fire Horse, the generating and controlling cycles, and the nayin nuance.Chinese signChinese element: EarthThe Earth element in Chinese astrology: years ending in 8 and 9, centre and the turn of the seasons, yellow, Saturn, the Ox, Dragon, Goat and Dog, the generating and controlling cycles, and the nayin nuance.Chinese signChinese element: MetalThe Metal element in Chinese astrology: years ending in 0 and 1, autumn, west, white, Venus, the Monkey and the Rooster, bronze bells, the generating and controlling cycles, and the nayin nuance.Chinese signChinese element: WaterThe Water element in Chinese astrology: years ending in 2 and 3, winter, north, black, Mercury, the Rat and the Pig, the Black Tortoise, water in the Daodejing, the generating and controlling cycles, and the nayin nuance.
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice.