The 12 Chinese zodiac signs: order, years and traits
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig: the order of the cycle, the years of each sign since 1924 and the traits tradition assigns them.
The Chinese zodiac assigns a sign to each year in a cycle of twelve. The order never changes: after the Pig comes the Rat again. So if you know the sign of one year, you know any other's by counting in twelves.
This is the full list, with the years of each sign and the three traits tradition associates with each one.
The order and the legend of the race
The popular explanation for the order is a legend: the Jade Emperor summoned the animals to a race, and the order of arrival set the calendar. The Rat won by riding on the Ox's back and jumping off at the last moment; the Pig came last. It's a tale, but it helps you remember the sequence.
The fourth sign deserves a clarification: in China it's the Rabbit and in Vietnam the Cat. In Molino we call it Cat. If you read «Rabbit» elsewhere, it's the same place in the cycle and the same years.
The twelve signs and their years
The years of each sign from 1924 to 2031, and their traditional traits. Watch out for January and February: the sign changes with Chinese New Year, not on January 1, so if you were born in those weeks, check the exact date of your year.
- Rat: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020. Traits: shrewdness, adaptability, curiosity.
- Ox: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021. Traits: strength, determination, loyalty.
- Tiger: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022. Traits: courage, passion, leadership.
- Cat: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023. Traits: elegance, softness, intuition.
- Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024. Traits: power, vision, ambition.
- Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025. Traits: wisdom, depth, magnetism.
- Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026. Traits: movement, independence, exploration.
- Goat: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027. Traits: creativity, harmony, sensitivity.
- Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028. Traits: ingenuity, versatility, spark.
- Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029. Traits: punctuality, observation, courage.
- Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030. Traits: loyalty, integrity, protection.
- Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031. Traits: generosity, optimism, warmth.
What traits are and what they aren't
Traits are the way tradition sums up the character of each sign. They work as vocabulary, not as a diagnosis: nobody is just «shrewd» because they're a Rat. What the system does order precisely is the relationship between signs — who is a friend and who is opposite — because it comes from the position in the cycle and not from an opinion.
Frequently asked questions
Are Rabbit and Cat the same sign?
Yes. They occupy the same place in the cycle (the fourth) and the same years. China uses the Rabbit and Vietnam the Cat; in Molino it's called Cat.
How do I calculate the sign for any year?
Count in twelves from a known year: 2020 was Rat, so 2008, 1996 and 1984 were too. Then check whether the date falls before Chinese New Year.
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