The Chinese Zodiac: Animals, Years, and Meanings

The Chinese Zodiac is a yearly cycle of 12 animals who finished first in the Jade Emperor's Great Race.

Chinese New Year 2025 marks the start of the Year of the Snake, followed by the Year of the Horse in 2026, and so on through the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.

The Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon—lunisolar—meaning the New Year shifts slightly each year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year marks the shift between Winter and Spring. It begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February, typically falling between late January and mid-February. Celebrations continue until the Lantern Festival, 15 days later.

Chinese Zodiac Animals and Personality Traits

Each Chinese zodiac sign is thought to shape the personality of those born in that year. If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you might be quick-witted and charming, while those born in the Year of the Dragon are often confident and enthusiastic.

I always forget the full list of Chinese New Year animals—it's one of those things that's beyond 7 ± 2 and just won't stick in my head. So here it is, for future reference:

Rat — Charming, Quick-witted
Ox — Patient, Determined
Tiger — Brave, Competitive
Rabbit — Gentle, Compassionate
Dragon — Confident, Enthusiastic
Snake — Wise, Intuitive
Horse — Energetic, Independent
Goat (Sheep) — Calm, Creative
Monkey — Witty, Curious
Rooster — Hardworking, Observant
Dog — Loyal, Honest
Pig — Generous, Diligent

The Legend of the Great Race: Why These 12 Animals?

The Chinese zodiac animals are from an old legend: the Great Race. The Jade Emperor, Chinese mythology's ruler of all gods, hosted a great race across a river. The first 12 animals to finish would earn a place in the Chinese zodiac calendar.

Cat and Rat, who were friends, hitched a ride on the back of Ox, who slowly swam through the river's deep water. As they crossed, Rat moved, knocking Cat into the river, but it was too dangerous to go back. As Ox neared the other bank, Rat jumped off, swimming the final metres and winning first place. Meanwhile, Dragon, despite being powerful, stopped to help others and finished fifth. Cat was left behind and finished last with a new dislike for rats.

Variations in Other Countries

Not all countries use the exact same Chinese zodiac signs. Vietnam, for example, swaps out two animals:

The Rabbit is replaced by the Cat
The Ox is replaced by the Water Buffalo

Chinese New Year Symbols and Traditions

Chinese New Year is full of traditions designed to bring good fortune:

Red envelopes (hóngbāo) – Given to children and unmarried adults, filled with money as a symbol of luck and prosperity.
Lanterns – Hung up or released into the sky, symbolizing brightness and good fortune.
Firecrackers – Set off to scare away evil spirits and welcome the Lunar New Year with a bang.
Red and gold – The most common colours in Chinese New Year decorations, representing happiness, wealth, and good luck.

Other beliefs and traditions include:

washing your hair can wash out your luck for the year
giving oranges and tangerines to hosts as symbols of abundant happiness
sweeping and cleaning the house to sweep away ill fortune
decorating windows and doors with red paint, paper cutouts and banners
giving respect and honour to gods and ancestors.

Chinese Zodiac List from 2025 to 1945

Not sure of your animal or your child's? You can find yours in this list (unless you're over 80).

If your birthday is before the Chinese New Year in January, then your animal will belong to the year before (rather like for birthday creep).

2025 – Snake

2024 – Dragon

2023 – Rabbit

2022 – Tiger

2021 – Ox

2020 – Rat

2019 – Pig

2018 – Dog

2017 – Rooster

2016 – Monkey

2015 – Goat

2014 – Horse

2013 – Snake

2012 – Dragon

2011 – Rabbit

2010 – Tiger

2009 – Ox

2008 – Rat

2007 – Pig

2006 – Dog

2005 – Rooster

2004 – Monkey

2003 – Goat

2002 – Horse

2001 – Snake

2000 – Dragon

1999 – Rabbit

1998 – Tiger

1997 – Ox

1996 – Rat

1995 – Pig

1994 – Dog

1993 – Rooster

1992 – Monkey

1991 – Goat

1990 – Horse

1989 – Snake

1988 – Dragon

1987 – Rabbit

1986 – Tiger

1985 – Ox

1984 – Rat

1983 – Pig

1982 – Dog

1981 – Rooster

1980 – Monkey

1979 – Goat

1978 – Horse

1977 – Snake

1976 – Dragon

1975 – Rabbit

1974 – Tiger

1973 – Ox

1972 – Rat

1971 – Pig

1970 – Dog

1969 – Rooster

1968 – Monkey

1967 – Goat

1966 – Horse

1965 – Snake

1964 – Dragon

1963 – Rabbit

1962 – Tiger

1961 – Ox

1960 – Rat

1959 – Pig

1958 – Dog

1957 – Rooster

1956 – Monkey

1955 – Goat

1954 – Horse

1953 – Snake

1952 – Dragon

1951 – Rabbit

1950 – Tiger

1949 – Ox

1948 – Rat

1947 – Pig

1946 – Dog

1945 – Rooster

Caveat: I am not Chinese or Asian and have gathered this information from many sources over the years. Let me know if something needs correcting.

Others

The Chinese zodiac years are one of those things I feel like I ought to remember but always forget. Others in the same bucket for me: