Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/ 'born resembling'), is represented by 12 zodiac animals. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Chinese zodiac years begin/end at Chinese New Year (in January/February). Each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years is represented by a zodiac animal, each with its own reputed attributes.
2025 is the year of the Snake, starting from January 29th, 2025 and ends on February 16th, 2026.
Chinese people believe that a person's horoscope, personality, and love compatibility are closely associated with his/her Chinese zodiac sign, determined by his/her birth year.
Here you can find out all about the Chinese zodiac, including what your Chinese zodiac sign is and your 2025 horoscope predictions.
For the starting date of a zodiac year, there are two schools of thought in Chinese astrology: Chinese New Year or the Start of Spring.
Chinese New Year, day 1 of the Chinese lunar year, falls somewhere in the period January 21st to February 20th.
The Start of Spring is the 1st of the 24 Solar Terms, beginning on February 3rd or 4th.
Most Chinese people use Chinese New Year as the start of the zodiac year. This is popular Chinese astrology. Only traditionalists and professional astrologers use the first solar term. Therefore, for example if you were born in January or February in 1997, you might be an Ox or a Rat.
You can use our free Chinese zodiac sign calculator below to be sure.
Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Chinese Zodiac Caculator
Choose your date of birth and find out about your Chinese zodiac sign.
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Personality:
Lucky numbers:
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Lucky flowers:
Click the zodiac sign below to check each animal sign's horoscope, personality, love compatibility, etc. in detail.
Chinese zodiac animals have astrological and cultural meanings. Chinese people associate each animal sign with certain characteristics. It's believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year's animal.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility - Is He/She Right for You?
Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
An important use of the Chinese zodiac is to determine if two people are compatible in a romantic relationship... or any kind of relationship. Zodiac compatibility is usually checked before getting married in China.
People born in a certain zodiac animal year are believed to have attributes of that animal, which determines their personality traits and could either help or hinder a relationship.
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility Caculator
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What is the luckiest/unluckiest Chinese zodiac sign?
In Chinese culture, the top 5 luckiest/most popular zodiac signs are Dragon, Snake, Pig, Rat, and Tiger conventionally.
There is a popular Chinese folk saying that 9/10 Goats are inadequate (十羊九不全 '10 Goats 9 incomplete'), which implies that most people born in a year of the Goat are destined for bad luck. Most Chinese people also believe that people born in a Goat year will grow up to be followers rather than leaders. Although this is an outdated superstition, it has a real effect on Chinese society.
Conversely, the Dragon is the most coveted zodiac sign, with Chinese births peaking in Dragon years.
Rationally, it's hard to identify the luckiest or unluckiest zodiac signs, as each sign has its own advantages and disadvantages. Socially, different combinations of zodiac signs cause different relational dynamics, which may affect someone's life more, as we don't live in isolation.
For more insights, we present the fortunes of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs below.
Chinese Horoscope 2025 Predictions for 12 Zodiac Signs
As we move forward in time, we're stepping into the fresh vibes of 2025! This new year is bringing a mix of opportunities and challenges for each zodiac sign. So, how's the luck looking for the 12 zodiac signs in 2025?
Rat
OX
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Rats' Horoscope 2025
Rats, you're also in for a solid year in 2025. Your quick thinking and unique perspectives will lead you to some successful decisions, pushing your career to new heights. Entrepreneurship and career advancements are on the cards for you, along with building positive relationships with your crew, pals, and fam.
Oxes' Horoscope 2025
Oxen, you're marching into a stable and fruitful year in 2025, marked by your diligence and responsibility. Your steady progress in your career and harmonious relationships with your peeps will keep that success train chugging along smoothly.
Tigers' Horoscope 2025
Tigers, brace yourselves for some challenges in 2025. Hard work and a low-key approach will help you seize opportunities and manage your finances effectively. Stay positive, focus on personal growth, and you'll conquer any obstacles that come your way.
Rabbits' Horoscope 2025
Rabbits, 2025 is gonna be a game-changer for you with everything falling into place effortlessly. Your hard work is laying a solid foundation for future success, leading to financial stability and smart spending habits.
Dragons' Horoscope 2025
Dragons, 2025 is gonna be your year of positivity, success, and financial stability. Put in the hard work, and you'll reap the rewards, leading to a harmonious and fulfilling year ahead with a renewed focus on family responsibilities.
Snakes' Horoscope 2025
Snakes, you might face some hurdles in career and finances in 2025, but stay optimistic and adaptable to overcome setbacks and achieve success. Keep those negative vibes at bay, prioritize your health, and you'll navigate the year like a pro.
2025 is the benmingnian (本命年 'origin of life year') for those people born under the Snake sign.
Horses' Horoscope 2025
Horses, get ready for a stellar year in 2025! Luck is on your side in both your career and relationships. Your charm is gonna draw success at work and love in your personal life, making this year a total win for you.
Goats' Horoscope 2025
Sheep, get ready to shine in 2025! You'll be effortlessly raking in wealth and recognition without breaking a sweat. Your stable finances and flourishing career will bring you contentment and success as you crush it in your professional pursuits.
Monkeys' Horoscope 2025
Monkeys, you're in for a stable year ahead in 2025. Despite your sometimes unreliable and arrogant vibes, your adaptability and ambition are gonna shine through. Your cleverness and wisdom will be your superpowers, helping you tackle work and life challenges like a boss. Get ready to prosper financially, make new connections, and hit some major breakthroughs with the support of your benefactors.
Roosters' Horoscope 2025
Roosters, 2025 is looking mighty fine for you. Your hard work and perseverance are gonna pay off big time, leading to career growth and financial wins. Brace yourself for unexpected windfalls and fulfilling relationships that will make you feel on top of the world.
Dogs' Horoscope 2025
Dogs, you're in for a stable and rewarding year in 2025! Surprises and financial growth are coming your way. Your dedication and professionalism will pave the path for success in both your career and relationships, ensuring a worry-free and prosperous year.
Pigs' Horoscope 2025
Pigs, you might encounter some interpersonal challenges in 2025, but keep your cool and handle conflicts with grace to maintain harmonious relationships. Stay level-headed, focus on solutions, and you'll sail through the year with success and positivity.
Chinese Zodiac Story: Explaining the Order and Why There's No Cat
Do you know why the 12 Chinese zodiac animals are in their fixed sequence from Rat to Pig?
The sequence of the 12 signs is popularly explained by a myth about when the Jade Emperor (the supreme immortal) wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. All creatures on Earth were summoned to participate in a race. The earlier one went through the Heavenly Gate, the better the rank one would have.
Rat and Ox got up very early. On the way to the Gate, Rat jumped onto the back of the Ox to cross the river. He won first place by suddenly jumping down from Ox's back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor when they're near to the Heavenly Gate. Ox was second.
Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but Tiger was faster.
Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father; so Snake ranked sixth.
Horse and Goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. They were ranked seventh and eighth.
Monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones, and caught up to be ninth. Last were Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Why is the cat not one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals? It is said that Cat and Rat got as far as crossing the river together on Ox's back, but Rat pushed Cat into the water. Cat was washed away and didn't get to the Heavenly Gate in time to get a ranking. After that a great enmity grew between Cat and Rat, so that rats scatter in all directions when a cat appears.
The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Though it is made up, it might be interesting for you to tell your children and friends.
Actually, the 12 Chinese zodiac animals were chosen very deliberately by the ancients, after many revisions. The zodiac animals are either closely related to ancient Chinese people's daily lives or have lucky meanings in ancient Chinese culture.
What are the differences between Chinese zodiac and western astrology?
The main similarity between the two systems is that both systems are based on time periods of birth, and they both have 12 symbols or signs with associated personalities and fortunes.
However, there are big differences in their origins and astrological theory.
With the Chinese zodiac, the 12 signs are derived from the ancients' musings about archetypal animals, people's personalities and fortunes, and their relationships with one another and years of birth. A myth about a celestial race was later developed to explain the Chinese zodiac sequence.
This differs from Western astrology, where the 12 zodiac signs are based on constellations' positions relative to the earth. The constellations were named according to Greek mythology and astrological theory was developed based on the stars supposed influence on human personalities and lives.
In addition, the Chinese zodiac is calculated on a year-by-year base while the Western zodiac corresponds with "months".
Chinese Zodiac in Other Asian Countries
The Chinese zodiac has a great influence on several other Asian countries, such as the South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Myanmar. In some countries, the zodiac signs are the same as the Chinese ones, while some of the animals differ in other countries.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These animal signs are exactly the same in South Korea, North Korea, Singapore, and Cambodia.
The 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.
The 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The 12 Thai zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Naga (a mythical half-human-half-snake spirit), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The 8 Burmese zodiac animals are: Garuda (a mythical bird), Tiger, Lion, Elephant (with tusks), Rat, Guinea Pig, and Dragon.
Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
