Updated Apr 17, 2024
Following a 12-year cycle, the Chinese Zodiac is a classification system based on the Chinese calendar. Each Zodiac sign reflects Chinese philosophy and culture, assigning general traits and personalities to people based on the year they were born. While the Chinese Zodiac symbols are used to represent a year in the Chinese calendar, they are also believed to hold influence over people’s careers, marriages, personalities, compatibility and fortune. The Chinese Zodiac holds only superficial similarities to Western Zodiac signs, but both are based on generalizations of large groups of people and are not accurate representations of specific individuals.
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Chinese Zodiac Sign |
Recent Years |
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Rat |
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 |
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Ox |
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033 |
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Tiger |
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034 |
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Rabbit |
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 |
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Dragon |
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 |
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Snake |
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 |
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Horse |
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038 |
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Goat |
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039 |
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Monkey |
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040 |
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Rooster |
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041 |
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Dog |
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042 |
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Pig |
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 |
People born in the year of the Rat tend to be quick-witted, versatile, resourceful and kind. The Rat is the first animal in the Chinese calendar, and the latest rat year was 2020. That means the next rat won’t be until 2032! For those born in the year of the rat, your luck numbers are 2, 3, 6 and 8 – but they should avoid 4, 5 and 9 – your cardinal point is North, and your colours are gold, blue and green – but should avoid yellow and brown.
Those born in the year of the Ox tend to be diligent, dependable, determined and strong. The Ox is the second animal in the Chinese calendar, with its latest year being 2021 - that means the next Ox year will be 2033! Your cardinal directions are North and Northeast, with your colours being blue, red and purple – though you should avoid white and green. And your lucky numbers are 8 and 3 – just steer clear of 6 and 9.
People born in the year of the Tiger are usually competitive, brave, confident individuals and are the third animal in the Chinese calendar. The most recent year of the Tiger was 2022, and their next year will be 2034. Those who find themselves a Tiger should know their cardinal directions are North and Northeast, their colours are grey, white, blue, purple, orange and black – but they should avoid gold, silver, brown and pink – and their lucky numbers are 0, 1, 3, 4 and 5, but not 6, 7 and 8.
Those born in the year of the Rabbit are quiet, kind, responsible and elegant individuals. The last year of the rabbit was 2023, with its next occurrence will be 2035. The Rabbit’s cardinal direction is East, with their lucky numbers being 3, 6 and 9 – though they should be advised to avoid 1, 7 and 8. Their colours are black, pink, purple, blue, grey and red, but they should avoid brown, yellow and white.
People born in the year of the Dragon are intelligent, enthusiastic and confident, with their most recent year being 2024! Like all Chinese Zodiac signs, dragons only come once every 12 years, so the next dragon will be in 2036. For those born in the year of the dragon, your colours are yellow and green, but you should avoid blue and red. Your lucky numbers are 1, 6, and 7, but you should not have 3, 8, and 9. Your cardinal directions are east and southeast.
Those born in the year of the Snake tend to be enigmatic, wise and intelligent. The last year of the snake was 2013, and the next will be 2025. Your lucky cardinal directions are south and southeast. Your lucky colours are red, light yellow, and black, but not white, golden, or brown. Your lucky numbers are 2, 8 and 9, but you should avoid 1, 6 and 7.
People born in the year of the Horse tend to be active, animated and energetic. The horse is the 7th animal in the Chinese calendar, and the last horse year was 2014. That means the next horse will be in 2026! For those born in the year of the horse, your luck numbers are 1, 4, 5, 7, and 9 – but you should avoid 2, 3 and 6 – your cardinal point is South, and your colours are gold, yellow, red and blue – but you should avoid orange, green and dark green.
The last year of the Goat was in 2015, and the next will be in 2027. Goats are calm, sympathetic and gentle, and their cardinal directions are south and southwest. Their lucky colours are green, red and purple, but they should avoid gold and brown. Their lucky numbers are 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9, but they should avoid 6 and 8.
As the 9th member of the Chinese Zodiac, with its last year being 2016 and next being 2028. Monkeys are sharp, curious and smart, with their cardinal directions being north, northwest and west. Their lucky numbers are 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8, and they should avoid 2, 5, and 9. Their colours are white and blue, but certainly not red, black and grey.
Those born in the year of the Rooster are observant, courageous and hardworking individuals. The last year of the rooster was 2017, with its next year being 2029. The rooster’s cardinal directions are south and southeast, with their lucky numbers being 5, 7 and 8 – though they should be advised to avoid 1, 3 and 9. Their colours are gold, brown and yellow, but they should avoid white and green.
Individuals born during the year of the Dog tend to be honest, prudent and loyal and should favour the cardinal directions west and northwest. Their last year was 2018, and their next will be 2030. Their lucky colours are black, green, red and purple – but they should avoid blue, white and gold. Their lucky numbers are 3, 4 and 9 – but they should also avoid 1, 6 and 7.
People born in the year of the Pig tend to be compassionate, diligent and generous individuals. Their lucky numbers are 2, 5, 6 and 8, but not 3, 4 and 9. Their last year was 2019, and their next year will be 2031. Their cardinal directions are north and northwest, and their colour is yellow – but they should avoid red and blue.
Indy Scott is our content writer! They are nonbinary (they/he) and love to customize their clothing with patches.
