Chinese calendar · animal · element · yin or yang

Chinese Zodiac Calculator by Date of Birth

Enter an exact Gregorian birth date to find the correct Chinese zodiac animal, five-element stem and yin/yang polarity. The calculation changes at Lunar New Year—not on January 1.

1901–2100 · exact lunar-year boundary · private

Find your Chinese zodiac sign

Your date stays in this browser. No name, time or birthplace is needed.

Why a birth-year table can be wrong

The Chinese zodiac follows a traditional lunisolar calendar. Its new year usually falls between late January and mid-February, so someone born on February 1 may belong to the previous animal year. A shortcut based only on the Gregorian year mislabels millions of birthdays.

This calculator checks the date against a locally embedded Lunar New Year boundary table aligned with the Hong Kong Observatory convention, then derives the twelve-animal branch and ten-year heavenly-stem cycle. Nothing is fetched when you calculate.

Animal, element and polarity are three layers

The animal repeats every 12 years. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water each occupy two consecutive years, producing a 60-year combination cycle. Yang and yin alternate annually. Thus 1990 and 2002 are both Horse years, but their element is not the same.

Boundary reference: Hong Kong Observatory. Chinese zodiac language is a cultural tradition; it cannot diagnose personality, prove compatibility or predict events.

The 12 Chinese zodiac animals

These are traditional symbolic themes, not fixed traits. The example years below begin at Lunar New Year, so January and early-February birthdays must always be checked by exact date.

🐀 Rat

resourceful, observant and quick to adapt. Recent lunar years: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984

🐂 Ox

patient, grounded and consistent. Recent lunar years: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985

🐅 Tiger

bold, independent and ready to initiate. Recent lunar years: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986

🐇 Rabbit

tactful, sensitive and attentive to atmosphere. Recent lunar years: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987

🐉 Dragon

visionary, vital and ambitious. Recent lunar years: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988

🐍 Snake

discerning, strategic and private. Recent lunar years: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989

🐎 Horse

candid, energetic and freedom-seeking. Recent lunar years: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990

🐐 Goat

creative, empathetic and cooperative. Recent lunar years: 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991

🐒 Monkey

inventive, witty and flexible. Recent lunar years: 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992

🐓 Rooster

precise, confident and clear about standards. Recent lunar years: 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993

🐕 Dog

loyal, fair-minded and protective. Recent lunar years: 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994

🐖 Pig

generous, sincere and pleasure-loving. Recent lunar years: 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995

Continue exploring

Frequently asked questions

Does the Chinese zodiac year start on January 1?

No. The animal changes at Lunar New Year, usually between late January and mid-February. This calculator converts the exact date.

What if I was born in January or February?

Enter the full date. Birthdays before that year's Lunar New Year belong to the previous animal and stem year.

How are the element and yin or yang calculated?

They come from the ten-year heavenly-stem cycle: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water each last two years while yang and yin alternate.

Is a Chinese zodiac sign a personality diagnosis?

No. It is a cultural calendar tradition used here for reflection and entertainment, not a scientific assessment.