Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao (/shnng-sshyao/’conceived looking like’), is addressed by 12 zodiac creatures. All together, they are the Rodent, Bull, Tiger, Bunny, Winged serpent, Snake, Pony, Goat, Monkey, Chicken, Canine, and Pig.
Chinese zodiac years start/end at Chinese New Year (in January/February). Every year in the rehashing zodiac pattern of 12 years is addressed by a zodiac creature, each with its own rumored credits.
2023 is a time of the Hare, beginning from January 22nd, 2023, and finishing on February ninth, 2024. 2022 is a time of the Tiger, beginning from February first, 2022 and closes on January 21st, 2023.
Chinese individuals trust that an individual’s horoscope, character, and love similarity are firmly connected with his/her Chinese, not entirely set in stone by his/her introduction to the world year.
Here you can figure out about the Chinese zodiac, including how to find your Chinese zodiac sign and Chinese horoscope.
What is My Chinese Zodiac Sign?
Every Chinese zodiac year is addressed by a creature. The table of Chinese zodiac years underneath will assist you with finding your zodiac sign quick.
For instance, 1991 is an extended period of the Goat. In the event that you were brought into the world in 1991, your Chinese zodiac sign is the Goat, and you are known as a “Goat”.
Chinese Zodiac Years
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Years |
|---|---|
| Rat | …1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020… |
| Ox | …1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021… |
| Tiger | …1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022… |
| Rabbit | … 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 … |
| Dragon | … 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 … |
| Snake | … 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 … |
| Horse | … 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 … |
| Goat | … 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 … |
| Monkey | … 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 … |
| Rooster | … 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 … |
| Dog | … 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 … |
| Pig | … 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 … |
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.
Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Personality
Chinese zodiac creatures have prophetic and social implications. Chinese individuals partner every creature sign with specific qualities. It’s accepted that individuals brought into the world in a given year have the character of that year’s creature.
Rat: quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind.
Ox: diligent, dependable, strong, determined.
Tiger: brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable.
Rabbit: quiet, elegant, kind, responsible.
Dragon: confident, intelligent, enthusiastic.
Snake: enigmatic, intelligent, wise.
Horse: animated, active, energetic.
Goat: calm, gentle, sympathetic.
Monkey: sharp, smart, curious.
Rooster: observant, hardworking, courageous.
Dog: lovely, honest, prudent.
Pig: compassionate, generous, diligent.
Chinese Zodiac Signs’ Lucky/Unlucky Things
Lucky Things
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Lucky Numbers | Lucky Colors | Lucky Flowers | Lucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 2, 3 | blue, gold, green | lily, African violet | west, northwest and southwest |
| Ox | 1, 4 | white, yellow, green | tulip, peach blossom | north, south |
| Tiger | 1, 3, 4 | blue, gray, orange | yellow lily, cineraria | east, north, south |
| Rabbit | 3, 4, 6 | red, pink, purple, blue | plantain lily, jasmine | east, south and northwest |
| Dragon | 1, 6, 7 | gold, silver, grayish white | bleeding-heart glory bower, dragon flowers | east, north, south |
| Snake | 2, 8, 9 | black, red, and yellow | orchid and cactus | east, west, and southwest |
| Horse | 2, 3, 7 | yellow and green | calla lily and jasmine | east, west, and south |
| Goat | 2, 7 | brown, red, and purple | carnations and primroses | north |
| Monkey | 4, 9 | white, blue, gold | chrysanthemum, crape myrtle | north, northwest, west |
| Rooster | 5, 7, 8 | gold, brown, and yellow | gladiola, cockscomb | south, southeast |
| Dog | 3, 4, 9 | red, green, and purple | rose, cymbidium orchids | east, south, and northeast |
| Pig | 2, 5, 8 | yellow, gray, brown, gold | hydrangea and daisy | east and southwest |
Unlucky Things
| Chinese Zodiac Sign | Unlucky Numbers | Unlucky Colors | Unlucky Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | 5, 9 | yellow, brown | south and southeast |
| Ox | 5, 6 | blue | southwest |
| Tiger | 6, 7, 8 | brown | southwest |
| Rabbit | 1, 7, 8 | dark brown, dark yellow, white | north, west, and southwest |
| Dragon | 3, 8 | blue, green | northwest |
| Snake | 1, 6, 7 | brown, gold, white | northeast and northwest |
| Horse | 1, 5, 6 | blue, white | north and northwest |
| Goat | 4, 9 | blue and black | southwest |
| Monkey | 2, 7 | red, pink | south, southeast |
| Rooster | 1, 3, 9 | red | east |
| Dog | 1, 6, 7 | blue, white, gold | southeast |
| Pig | 1, 7, | red, blue, green | southeast |
Chinese Zodiac Compatibility – Is He/She Right for You?
A significant utilization of the Chinese zodiac is to decide whether two individuals are viable in a heartfelt connection… or then again any sort of relationship. Zodiac similarity is generally checked prior to getting hitched in China.
Individuals brought into the world in a specific zodiac creature year are accepted to have qualities of that creature, which decides their character qualities and could either help or frustrate a relationship.
Best Matches for the 12 Zodiac Signs
- Rat: Rat, Ox, Dragon, or Monkey
- Ox: Rat, Snake, or Rooster
- Tiger: Horse, Dog, or Pig
- Rabbit: Goat, Dog, or Pig
- Dragon: Rat, Monkey, or Rooster
- Snake: Ox or Rooster
- Horse: Tiger, Goat, or Dog
- Goat: Rabbit, Horse, Goat, or Pig
- Monkey: Rat, Dragon, or Dog
- Rooster: Ox, Dragon, or Snake
- Dog: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse, or Monkey
- Pig: Tiger, Rabbit, or Goat
- Best Matches for the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
Chinese Horoscope 2023
2023 is an extended period of the Bunny. Click the creature signs beneath to find out about every Chinese zodiac creature’s horoscope in 2023.
- Rat
- OX
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
Rats’ Horoscope in 2023
Entering 2023, the fortune of you Rodent individuals is by and large great, however due to being in extraneous resistance to Tai Sui (the age star), you will experience a few deterrents and your general horoscope will be one of highs and lows. Be wary and not rash in that frame of mind during this year.
2023 Chinese Zodiac Animal — The Rabbit
The Rabbit is the Chinese zodiac animal for 2023. Rabbit year 2023 starts from January 22nd, 2023 and ends on February 9th, 2024.
People born in a year of the Rabbit are called “Rabbits” and are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. The most compatible zodiac signs for Rabbits are Goats, Dogs, and Pigs.
What zodiac animal signs are lucky in 2023? Firstly come Oxes, Tigers, and Snakes. Then, with not quite so much luck, come Dogs, Horses, Goats, and Pigs. Rabbits’, Rats’ and Snakes’ fortunes will be influenced by ‘opposition to Tai Sui’. Roosters and Monkeys will have to work especially hard to make headway.
2023 is the benmingnian (本命年 ‘origin of life year’) for those people born under the Rabbit sign.
Chinese Zodiac Story
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 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 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 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.
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.
