Chinese Zodiac Calculator

Which Chinese year is 2026?

2026 is a Fire Horse year (Yang). It began on February 17, 2026 and lasts until February 5, 2027. The next year, 2027, is a Fire Goat year (Yin), starting on February 6, 2027.

How is the Chinese zodiac calculated?

The Chinese calendar is lunisolar: the year does not begin on 1 January but on the second new moon after the winter solstice. That date moves between 21 January and 20 February every year. So someone born on 1 February 1990 belongs to the year of the Horse, not the Snake, while someone born on 20 January 1990 still belongs to the Snake.

The twelve animals repeat in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. The element comes from the last digit of the year: 0–1 Metal, 2–3 Water, 4–5 Wood, 6–7 Fire, 8–9 Earth. Even years are yang and odd years are yin. Animal and element together form a 60-year cycle.

The 12 Chinese zodiac animals and their years

Years below start on each year's Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or February, use the calculator above.

鼠 Rat

Clever, alert and resourceful. The first animal of the cycle. Traditionally associated with quick thinking, spotting opportunities early and managing resources well. Described as sociable and curious; excessive caution is the best-known shadow side.
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032

牛 Ox

Hard-working, patient and reliable. A symbol of effort and stability in tradition. Associated with someone who moves step by step, stands by their word and does not tire easily. Resistance to change and stubbornness are the most mentioned shadow sides.
Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033

虎 Tiger

Brave, passionate and independent. A symbol of courage and protection. Described as someone unafraid of risk, who speaks up against injustice and values freedom. Sudden outbursts and impatience count as the shadow side.
Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034

兔 Rabbit

Gentle, diplomatic and graceful. A symbol of peace and refinement. Associated with avoiding conflict, smoothing the atmosphere and caring about aesthetics. Indecision and oversensitivity are mentioned as shadow sides.
Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035

龍 Dragon

Energetic, ambitious and charismatic. The only mythical animal of the cycle; in Chinese culture a symbol of power and abundance. Described as self-assured, thinking big and moving others to act. Pride and impatience count as shadow sides.
Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036

蛇 Snake

Intuitive, calm and thoughtful. A symbol of wisdom and intuition. Associated with quiet observation, deciding without haste and a love of elegance. Reserve and suspicion are mentioned as shadow sides.
Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037

馬 Horse

Free-spirited, lively and cheerful. A symbol of movement and freedom. Described as energetic, outspoken and fond of travel and novelty. Impatience and a tendency to leave things unfinished count as the shadow side.
Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038

羊 Goat

Caring, creative and harmony-loving. The Chinese character 羊 means both goat and sheep. A symbol of gentleness and art; associated with a caring, imaginative character. Worry and indecision are mentioned as shadow sides.
Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039

猴 Monkey

Clever, witty and curious. A symbol of intelligence and play. Described as finding creative solutions, learning quickly and being fun to be around. Distraction and slyness count as shadow sides.
Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040

雞 Rooster

Precise, honest and observant. A symbol of order and alertness. Associated with attention to detail, frankness and hard work. Perfectionism and a critical streak are mentioned as shadow sides.
Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041

狗 Dog

Loyal, fair and protective. A symbol of loyalty and a sense of justice. Described as protecting loved ones, trustworthy and principled. A tendency to worry and pessimism count as shadow sides.
Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042

豬 Pig

Generous, kind-hearted and sincere. The last animal of the cycle; a symbol of abundance and good intentions. Associated with generosity, tolerance and enjoying life. Naivety and overindulgence are mentioned as shadow sides.
Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043