Zodiac signs animals

Last Updated on March 17, 2024 by Aftab Tariq

Zodiac signs animals have been a part of Chinese culture for over 2,000 years. If you’re unfamiliar with Chinese customs, you may need to understand why Chinese New Year is celebrated differently from Western New Year.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, while 2023 was the Year of the Rabbit. Eastern astrology is more complex, incorporating the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, five elements—earth, metal, water, wood, and fire—and ideas like yin and yang, following the moon’s cycles. Western astrology is based on the Sun’s motions. Let’s start with the basics:

What are the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, how did they come about, and what do they say about your personality? Keep reading if you’re curious about your animal sign, Chinese horoscope, and the years in the Chinese zodiac!

What Is The Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac is a special way of marking time. Instead of months or days, it uses a cycle of 12 years. Each year in this cycle is linked with a different animal, like Rat, Ox, Tiger, etc. This system comes from an old story about a race held by the Chinese emperor to pick the animals.

The winning animals got their years on the calendar. For example, the Rat won first place, so its year starts the cycle. People in China started this tradition, but now it’s famous in other places like India, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand.

What Is My Chinese Zodiac Sign And Element?

Your Chinese astrology sign is determined by your birth year and is linked to one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. Each animal has its unique traits and chinese zodiac signs meaning. For example, the Rat is clever and resourceful, while the Ox is strong and dependable.

Juleen Wang, who grew up in China, explains that Chinese astrology is different from Western astrology. In Western astrology, horoscopes change based on planetary movements, but your animal sign stays the same throughout your life in Chinese astrology. However, there are variations within each sign depending on elements like water, fire, wood, etc.

People often refer to their Chinese zodiac sign to understand themselves better or to explain why they get along or clash with others. Even though fewer people might believe in it now, it’s still something many people keep in mind when thinking about themselves and their relationships.

Zodiac Signs Animals Months

Here is the list of different zodiac signs animals months and chinese zodiac signs

1: Rabbit

Next year of the Rabbit: 2035

Individuals born in the year of the Rabbit are regarded as intelligent, friendly, and compassionate. As Wang discovered through her own experiences, it is possible that snakes and rabbits might not make the best of friends.

“My dad was born in the year of the Ox,” she recalls. “I’m very close to my dad. My mom was born in the year of the Rabbit, and she said I teased her a lot!” Rabbits are said to have good relationships with Dogs, Goats, Monkeys, and Pigs.

2: Dragon

Next Year of the Dragon: 2036

The Dragon is a widely favored sign in Chinese astrology because of its special place in Chinese culture. “Dragons are known for being friendly and full of energy. During a Dragon year, more babies are born because everyone hopes for a Dragon baby,” Wang explains. ”

But when it’s time for Dragon babies to go to college, there’s a lot of competition because there are so many of them.” Wang also mentions that Jack Ma Yun, the founder of Alibaba and one of China’s wealthiest individuals, is a Dragon. Dragons get along well with Roosters, Rats, and Monkeys.

3: Snake

Next Year of the Snake: 2025

Snake is similar to a mini Dragon, which makes it quite popular. Snakes are curious and wise but can also be jealous and greedy sometimes. Snakes get along well with Ox, and interestingly, Wang, who spoke about this, married an Ox! Dragons and Roosters are also great matches for Snakes.

4: Horse

Next Year of the Horse: 2026

The horse is a significant animal throughout human history, according to Wang. Horses are seen as leaders and are known for their generosity. Year of the Horse people are talented and energetic. Horses are Chinese astrologically compatible with Tigers, Goats, and Rabbits.

5: Goat

Next year of the Goat: 2027

Many people think those born in the Year of the Goat are mild-mannered, decent, and slightly reserved. According to Wang,

“Goats usually face challenges in life, which is why many people try to steer clear of this zodiac sign.” Birth rates also tend to drop in Goat years. If you’re a Goat, you should seek compatibility with Horses, Rabbits, or Pigs.

6: Monkey

Next Year of the Monkey: 2028

Almost everyone adores Monkeys, probably because they’re closely related to humans genetically. According to Wang, Monkeys have excellent social skills and a great sense of humor, which also makes them playful and occasionally mischievous. For Monkeys, the patient Ox and the kind Rabbit make perfect matches.

7: Rooster

Next year of the Rooster: 2029

You can count on Roosters to be reliable and consistent, literally and figuratively. Roosters thrive in Ox years due to their dependable nature. Additionally, they’re known for being brave and entertaining, as Wang explains. Roosters are compatible with the Ox and Snake zodiac signs.

8: Dog

Next Year of the Dog: 2030

The Dog sign reflects the qualities we admire in our loyal canine companions, says Wang. Dogs are known for their loyalty, playfulness, and selflessness. They’re also practical, like real dogs used for protection or bred for specific tasks. For Dogs, the best match is a Rabbit, someone equally kind and loving.

9: Pig

Next Year of the Pig: 2031

Wang describes the Pig as loving, happy, straightforward, and persuasive, often being the happiest among the zodiac signs. Despite coming last in the emperor’s race, Pigs must be more active. In 2019, the Year of the Earth Pig was predicted to bring stability, prosperity, and opportunities. Tigers, Rabbits, and Goats are good matches for Pigs. How was your experience in 2019?

10: Rat

Next year of the Rat: 2032

According to Wang, Rats are known for being smart, charming, and imaginative, which helped them secure first place in the emperor’s race. They cleverly rode on the back of the Ox and jumped off just in time to win. This intelligence is a point of pride for those born under this zodiac sign. Rats are best matched with Ox, Dragon, and Monkey. In English, Rat is sometimes translated as “Mouse.”

11; Ox

Next year of the Ox: 2033

Tricked by the clever Rat, the Ox ended up in second place. Wang describes the Ox as determined, generous, patient, and hardworking. These qualities helped those born in Ox years, especially in 2021, the Year of the Metal Ox.

In Chinese astrology, your birth year is unlucky because it angers Tai Sui, the god of fortune, and earns you his curse. To counteract this, wearing red, a lucky color, is recommended. Oxen are best matched with Snakes, Rats, and Roosters.

12: Tiger

Next year of the Tiger: 2034

Wang describes Tiger as highly adventurous. In Chinese culture, individuals born in the Year of the Tiger are considered fortunate, but they can also exhibit dramatic and cocky traits.

Intriguingly, Forbes conducted a study on the 400 wealthiest Americans, revealing a notable overrepresentation of Tiger-born individuals among them. Tigers are compatible with the Dragon, Horse, and Pig according to Chinese astrology.

Zodiac Signs Animals Virgo

Virgo is unique among the zodiac signs because it’s represented by a feminine symbol rather than an animal. However, many spirit animals share the traits of this empathetic and detail-oriented sign, helping Virgos on their journey of self-reflection and growth.

Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Personality

Each Chinese zodiac animal is associated with specific personality traits and characteristics:

Rat: Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, and kind.

Ox: Diligent, dependable, strong,

Tiger: Brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.

Rabbit: Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.

Dragon: Confident, intelligent, and enthusiastic

Snake: Enigmatic, intelligent, wise.

Horse: Animated, active, energetic.

Goat: Calm, gentle, sympathetic.

Monkey: Sharp, smart, curious.

Rooster: Observant, hardworking, and courageous

Dog: Lovely, honest, prudent.

Pig: Compassionate, generous, diligent.

They may shape the personality of persons born in each zodiac animal’s year.

Sources

Travel China Guide: “Chinese Zodiac Story”

Your Chinese Astrology: “Chinese Zodiac Five Elements”

Travel China Guide: “Chinese Zodiac Compatibility”