“Seasonal celebrations and festivals such as the Lunar New Year follow the lunar calendar,” Iskandar explains. “The date is determined each year based on when the moon turns new in China, which falls one day after the new moon rises in the United States.”
She also notes that while Lunar New Year dates vary, a new astrological year in Chinese Astrology consistently begins on February 4, according to the solar calendar. This distinction is significant for practitioners who calculate destiny charts or Feng Shui forecasts.
How to Find Your Chinese Zodiac Sign
Finding your Chinese Zodiac sign is straightforward: it is determined by your birth year. Once assigned, that animal remains your sign for life.
“So a person born in the year of the Rabbit will always have the Rabbit as their zodiac sign,” Iskandar says.
However, because the Lunar New Year does not align exactly with January 1, individuals born in January or early February should double-check whether their birthdate falls before or after that year’s Lunar New Year.
The 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals and Their Characteristics
Each animal in the Chinese Zodiac symbolizes a distinct set of personality traits. According to ChineseHighLights (https://www.chinahighlights.com), the 12 signs are commonly associated with the following qualities:
- Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020): Quick-witted, adaptable, kind
- Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021): Strong, dependable, determined
- Tiger (1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022): Brave, competitive, unpredictable
- Rabbit (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023): Quiet, elegant, responsible
- Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012): Confident, intelligent
- Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025): Enigmatic, wise
- Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014): Energetic, animated, active
- Goat (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015): Calm, sympathetic
- Monkey (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016): Curious, sharp, clever
- Rooster (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017): Hardworking, observant
- Dog (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018): Honest, loyal
- Pig (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019): Compassionate, generous
The Five Elements in Chinese Astrology
Beyond animals, Chinese Astrology also relies on the Five Chinese Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element carries symbolic meaning and is associated with personality traits, seasons, and life phases.
- Wood: Growth, creativity, new beginnings (spring)
- Fire: Passion, joy, illumination (summer)
- Earth: Stability, nurturance, balance (between seasons)
- Metal: Focus, clarity, release (autumn)
- Water: Intuition, adaptability, endings (winter)
Each zodiac sign is associated with a primary element, and each year is also assigned an element based on the final digit of the year. For example, 2025 ends in the number 5, making it a Wood year—hence, the Year of the Wood Snake.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility: Most Compatible Signs
Compatibility in the Chinese Zodiac focuses on “secret friends” and natural allies. Astrologer Lisa Stardust highlights several strong pairings:
- Snake & Ox: Emotional depth and loyalty
- Horse & Tiger: Mutual respect and shared ambition
- Goat & Rabbit: Artistic sensibility and spiritual bonding
- Monkey & Rabbit: Friendship and spontaneous adventure
- Rooster & Ox: Shared discipline and success-driven goals
- Dog & Rabbit: Balance between leadership and ease
- Pig & Goat: Harmony and conflict avoidance
- Rat & Dragon: Passion and dynamic energy
“The dragon’s energy adds vigor to the rat,” Stardust says. “Together they can be a power couple.”
Least Compatible Chinese Zodiac Signs
Not all pairings flow easily. Stardust notes several challenging combinations:
- Snake & Pig: Conflicting emotional rhythms
- Horse & Rat: Freedom versus structure
- Goat & Tiger: Emotional overwhelm
- Monkey & Pig: Mental mismatch
- Rooster & Rat: Mutual distrust
- Dog & Dragon: Control versus independence
- Ox & Dog: Rigidity clashes with freedom
- Tiger & Snake: Mistrust and misunderstanding
- Rabbit & Rooster: Attention imbalance
Why Chinese Astrology Still Resonates Today
Chinese Astrology and the Chinese Zodiac continue to resonate because they offer a structured yet flexible lens for understanding human behavior, relationships, and cycles of change. Whether consulted for self-reflection, romantic compatibility, or annual forecasts, this ancient system remains deeply relevant in the modern world.
