Your Chinese zodiac animal depends on the lunar year you were born in, and the year starts at Chinese New Year (between 21 January and 20 February), not on 1 January. Someone born on 17 May 1990 is a Metal Horse, and the 12-animal cycle repeats every 12 years: 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026.
How is the Chinese zodiac determined?
The Chinese zodiac assigns one of twelve animals to each lunar year: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The cycle repeats every twelve years, so 2024 was the Dragon and 2025 the Snake, followed by the Horse in 2026. The animal changes at Chinese New Year, which falls on a different Gregorian date every year, between 21 January and 20 February. If you were born in January or early February, your animal may be the one from the previous year.
The calculator reads the Chinese calendar from your browser for the exact boundary. If the browser lacks that feature, it falls back to 4 February as an approximation and says so.
Elements and yin/yang
On top of the animal sits a five-element cycle: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, each covering two consecutive years, so a full cycle of animal and element repeats every 60 years. The last digit of the year decides the element: 0 and 1 are Metal, 2 and 3 Water, 4 and 5 Wood, 6 and 7 Fire, 8 and 9 Earth. Even years are Yang and odd years are Yin. So 1990 is Metal Yang Horse, while 2026 is Fire Yang Horse.
Traditional traits
| Animal | Traditional reputation |
|---|---|
| Rat | quick-witted, resourceful, adaptable |
| Ox | dependable, patient, determined |
| Tiger | brave, competitive, charismatic |
| Rabbit | gentle, diplomatic, artistic |
| Dragon | confident, ambitious, energetic |
| Snake | wise, intuitive, private |
| Horse | free-spirited, sociable, active |
| Goat | creative, kind, peace-loving |
| Monkey | clever, playful, inventive |
| Rooster | observant, hardworking, candid |
| Dog | loyal, honest, protective |
| Pig | generous, warm, easy-going |
How seriously to take it
These descriptions are cultural folklore and are used in Chinese communities for festivals, gifts and matchmaking. They are not science. For other symbolic number systems, try Numerology Calculator (Dutch) or the gematria calculator, and for the astronomical side of Western astrology see the rising sign calculator and moon sign calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Pick your date of birth.
- The tool finds the lunar year that date belongs to.
- Read your animal, element and yin/yang polarity.
- If you were born in January or February, double-check the result against the Chinese New Year date of your birth year.
Key figures at a glance
| Cycle | 12 animals, 60-year cycle with elements |
|---|---|
| Year starts | Chinese New Year (21 Jan to 20 Feb) |
| Element by last digit | 0,1 Metal · 2,3 Water · 4,5 Wood · 6,7 Fire · 8,9 Earth |
| Polarity | Even year Yang, odd year Yin |
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your birth date relative to Chinese New Year. Enter your date in the calculator.
At Chinese New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, starting at Chinese New Year in February 2026.
By the last digit of the year: 0–1 Metal, 2–3 Water, 4–5 Wood, 6–7 Fire, 8–9 Earth.
No. The Chinese system follows lunar years and animals, Western astrology follows the Sun’s position and twelve signs.