Twelve animals, five elements, one cycle

The twelve animals

• 鼠 Rat — 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032. Rats are sharp observers and natural strategists. They spot opportunity early, adapt fast and guard their inner circle fiercely. Best with: Dragon, Monkey, Ox.
• 牛 Ox — 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033. Oxen are the quiet engine of the zodiac — patient, honest and built for the long haul. Their word is their bond. Best with: Rat, Snake, Rooster.
• 虎 Tiger — 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034. Tigers lead with courage and instinct. They are magnetic, unpredictable and at their best when fighting for something bigger than themselves. Best with: Horse, Dog, Pig.
• 兔 Rabbit — 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035. Rabbits move through the world with grace and tact. They avoid conflict, cultivate beauty and notice everything. Best with: Goat, Pig, Dog.
• 龙 Dragon — 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036. Dragons are the zodiac’s power symbol — bold, lucky and larger than life. They aim high and usually get there. Best with: Rat, Monkey, Rooster.
• 蛇 Snake — 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037. Snakes are the philosophers of the cycle — perceptive, composed and quietly magnetic. They reveal themselves slowly and deliberately. Best with: Ox, Rooster, Monkey.
• 马 Horse — 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038. Horses run on freedom and momentum. They are warm, quick and restless — happiest in motion and honest to a fault. Best with: Tiger, Goat, Dog.
• 羊 Goat — 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039. Goats are the artists of the zodiac — tender, imaginative and kind. They thrive with support and wilt under harshness. Best with: Rabbit, Horse, Pig.
• 猴 Monkey — 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040. Monkeys are the zodiac’s problem-solvers — brilliant, mischievous and endlessly curious. Boredom is their only real enemy. Best with: Rat, Dragon, Snake.
• 鸡 Rooster — 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041. Roosters are precise, proud and dependable. They notice details others miss and hold themselves — and everyone — to high standards. Best with: Ox, Snake, Dragon.
• 狗 Dog — 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042. Dogs are the zodiac’s conscience — loyal, fair and protective. They would rather be right than popular, and loved than either. Best with: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse.
• 猪 Pig — 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043. Pigs are warm-hearted realists — generous, sincere and quietly strong. They give without keeping score. Best with: Rabbit, Goat, Tiger.

The five elements

Each year also carries one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water — cycling in pairs. A Wood Dragon and a Metal Dragon share an animal but move through the world very differently.

Yin and Yang

Years alternate between Yang (outward, active) and Yin (inward, receptive) energy. Together with animal and element, this polarity completes the traditional reading of a birth year.