What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac, also known as Shengxiao (生肖) in Chinese, is a system of astrology that assigns an animal sign to each year in a 12-year cycle. These animal signs are used to characterize the personality traits and destiny of individuals born in a particular year, and they are an integral part of Chinese culture and astrology. The Chinese zodiac is often used for determining compatibility in relationships, forecasting one's luck and fortune, and understanding one's personal characteristics.

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, in order of their appearance in the cycle, are as follows:

1. Rat (鼠): 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948
2. Ox (牛): 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949
3. Tiger (虎): 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950
4. Rabbit (兔): 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951
5. Dragon (龙): 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940
6. Snake (蛇): 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941
7. Horse (马): 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942
8. Goat/Sheep (羊): 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943
9. Monkey (猴): 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944
10. Rooster (鸡): 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945
11. Dog (狗): 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946
12. Pig (猪): 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947

Each of these animal signs is associated with certain personality traits and characteristics, and they are also associated with one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in a 60-year cycle, creating a more complex system known as the "Chinese sexagenary cycle."

The Chinese zodiac is used for various purposes in Chinese culture, such as selecting auspicious dates for important life events, predicting one's compatibility with others, and offering insights into one's life path and destiny based on their birth year and animal sign. It is important to note that the Chinese New Year, which marks the beginning of a new zodiac year, does not align with the Western calendar's New Year and varies each year based on the lunar calendar.