12 Chinese Zodiac Signs
There are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals associated with the Chinese New Year, and each animal’s year comes around every 12 years. These animals have lucky meanings, and Chinese people associate each animal with certain characteristics. It is believed that people born in a given year have the personality of that year’s animal.
2025 is the Year Of The Snake in the Chinese Zodiac, and it is a revered reptile on the Asian calendar. In Chinese mythology, snakes are known as “little dragons,” and the skin they shed is known as “the dragon’s coat,” symbolizing good luck, rebirth and regeneration. The snake also symbolizes the pursuit of love, happiness, wealth, and wisdom.
The Year of the Snake began on January 29, 2025, and will end on February 16, 2026. The transition to the next Chinese zodiac year, the Year of the Horse, will occur on February 17, 2026, and will end on February 5th, 2027.
What’s Your Zodiac Animal?
We have provided a Chinese Zodiac Chart below to help you find the year of your zodiac animal.
| Zodiac Animal | Recent Years | Personality Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 | Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind |
| Ox | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 | Diligent, dependable, strong, determined |
| Tiger | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 | Brave, confident, competitive |
| Rabbit | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 | Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible |
| Dragon | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 | Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic |
| Snake | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | Enigmatic, intelligent, wise |
| Horse | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | Animated, active, energetic |
| Goat | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | Calm, gentle, sympathetic |
| Monkey | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | Sharp, smart, curious |
| Rooster | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | Observant, hardworking, courageous |
| Dog | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | Lovely, honest, prudent |
| Pig | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 | Compassionate, generous, diligent |
What are the EXACT dates for the 12 Zodiac Animals?
The Chinese New Year starting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. The exact starting and ending dates of each zodiac animal throughout the years, and for upcoming years are listed in the chart/link/ below.
The Chinese Zodiac Story – The Zodiac Rankings Race
There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs, in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each sign is named after an animal, and each animal has its own unique characteristics.
Do you know why the 12 Chinese zodiac animals are in the sequence above? The following story reveals legendary reasons, and some of the characteristics of the 12 animals.
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.
The Heavenly Gate Race Story – Reasons for Zodiac Rankings
Long, long ago, there was no Chinese zodiac. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He sent an immortal being into man’s world to spread the message that the earlier one went through the Heavenly Gate, the better the rank one would have.
The next day, animals set off towards the Heavenly Gate. Rat got up very early. On his way to the gate, he encountered a river. He had to stop there, owing to the swift current. After waiting a long time, Rat noticed Ox about to cross the river and swiftly jumped into Ox’s ear.
The diligent Ox did not mind at all and simply continued. After crossing the river, he raced towards the palace of the Jade Emperor. Suddenly, Rat jumped out of Ox’s ear and dashed to the feet of the Emperor. Rat won first place and Ox was second.
Tiger and Rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but Tiger was faster. (Rabbit got across the river by hopping on stepping stones and a floating log.)
Good-looking Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon’s son could be sixth. But Dragon’s son didn’t come with him that day. 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. The Jade Emperor saw how polite they were and ranked them 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.
These 12 animals became guards of the Heavenly Gate.