The Chinese Zodiac: Animals, Years, and Meanings
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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).
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:
