What Is My Chinese Zodiac? A Complete Guide to the 12 Signs and 5 Elements

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Many people know their Western zodiac sign, like Aries or Scorpio. But have you ever asked yourself: what is my Chinese zodiac? The Chinese zodiac is another system that is just as popular around the world. Unlike the Western zodiac, which is based on the month you were born, the Chinese zodiac is based on the year you were born. Each system has its own animals, meanings, and traditions.

Figuring out what your Chinese zodiac sign is can be a little tricky. This is because the Chinese calendar follows the lunar cycle, not the regular calendar. The new year does not always start on January 1. It usually falls sometime between late January and mid-February. So if you were born in January or early February, you need to check the exact date of Chinese New Year for your birth year.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to answer the question: what is my Chinese zodiac? You will learn about the 12 animal signs, how to find your sign and element, and what each one means. We gathered the information from various sources, Monday (18/5/2026). Let's check your Chinese zodiac sign and what it means for you.

Many people know their Western zodiac sign, like Aries or Scorpio. But have you ever asked yourself: what is my Chinese zodiac? Unlike the Western zodiac, which is based on the month you were born, the Chinese zodiac is based on the year. It is just as popular and has its own animals, meanings, and traditions.

Finding your sign can be a little tricky because the Chinese calendar follows the lunar cycle. The new year usually falls between late January and mid-February, so people born in those months need to check the exact start date carefully.

In addition to the 12 animal signs, the Chinese zodiac also includes five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements come from an ancient Chinese philosophy called the Five Elements Theory, or Wu Xing. Every year has both an animal sign and an element, which together give a more complete picture of a person's personality and fortune.

Your Chinese zodiac sign is determined by the year you were born. The 12 animal signs repeat in a fixed cycle, so your sign comes around again every 12 years. However, because the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, people born in January or early February must check whether their birthday falls before or after the start of that year's Chinese New Year.

Your Chinese zodiac element is determined by the last digit of your birth year. Birth years ending in 0 or 1 are Metal, years ending in 2 or 3 are Water, years ending in 4 or 5 are Wood, years ending in 6 or 7 are Fire, and years ending in 8 or 9 are Earth. Below is a full list of all Chinese zodiac years with their elements, from 1900 to 2026.

Rat

- Metal Rat: 1900, 1960

- Water Rat: 1912, 1972

- Wood Rat: 1924, 1984

- Fire Rat: 1936, 1996

- Earth Rat: 1948, 2008

- Metal Rat: 2020

Ox

- Metal Ox: 1901, 1961

- Water Ox: 1913, 1973

- Wood Ox: 1925, 1985

- Fire Ox: 1937, 1997

- Earth Ox: 1949, 2009

- Metal Ox: 2021

Tiger

- Water Tiger: 1902, 1962

- Wood Tiger: 1914, 1974

- Fire Tiger: 1926, 1986

- Earth Tiger: 1938, 1998

- Metal Tiger: 1950, 2010

- Water Tiger: 2022

Rabbit

- Water Rabbit: 1903, 1963

- Wood Rabbit: 1915, 1975

- Fire Rabbit: 1927, 1987

- Earth Rabbit: 1939, 1999

- Metal Rabbit: 1951, 2011

- Water Rabbit: 2023

Dragon

- Wood Dragon: 1904, 1964

- Fire Dragon: 1916, 1976

- Earth Dragon: 1928, 1988

- Metal Dragon: 1940, 2000

- Water Dragon: 1952, 2012

- Wood Dragon: 2024

Snake

- Wood Snake: 1905, 1965

- Fire Snake: 1917, 1977

- Earth Snake: 1929, 1989

- Metal Snake: 1941, 2001

- Water Snake: 1953, 2013

- Wood Snake: 2025

Horse

- Fire Horse: 1906, 1966

- Earth Horse: 1918, 1978

- Metal Horse: 1930, 1990

- Water Horse: 1942, 2002

- Wood Horse: 1954, 2014

- Fire Horse: 2026

Goat

- Fire Goat: 1907, 1967

- Earth Goat: 1919, 1979

- Metal Goat: 1931, 1991

- Water Goat: 1943, 2003

- Wood Goat: 1955, 2015

Monkey

- Earth Monkey: 1908, 1968

- Metal Monkey: 1920, 1980

- Water Monkey: 1932, 1992

- Wood Monkey: 1944, 2004

- Fire Monkey: 1956, 2016

Rooster

- Earth Rooster: 1909, 1969

- Metal Rooster: 1921, 1981

- Water Rooster: 1933, 1993

- Wood Rooster: 1945, 2005

- Fire Rooster: 1957, 2017

Dog

- Metal Dog: 1910, 1970

- Water Dog: 1922, 1982

- Wood Dog: 1934, 1994

- Fire Dog: 1946, 2006

- Earth Dog: 1958, 2018

Pig

- Metal Pig: 1911, 1971

- Water Pig: 1923, 1983

- Wood Pig: 1935, 1995

- Fire Pig: 1947, 2007

- Earth Pig: 1959, 2019

Rat

People born in the Year of the Rat are smart, resourceful, and detail-oriented. They are good with money and tend to live organized lives. Rats are sensitive and intuitive, and they can often sense problems before others do. They are most compatible with the Ox, Dragon, and Monkey, and least compatible with the Horse.

Ox

The Ox is a symbol of hard work and reliability. People born in Ox years are quiet, patient, and very responsible. They are not very expressive with their feelings, but they are loyal and dependable. They are skilled at taking on difficult tasks without giving up. The Ox is most compatible with the Rat, Snake, and Rooster, and least compatible with the Goat.

Tiger

Tigers are bold, independent, and full of confidence. People born in Tiger years love justice and are natural leaders. They are loyal and caring to the people they love. Tigers are known for their courage and their ability to rise again after failure. They are most compatible with the Pig, Horse, and Dog, and least compatible with the Monkey.

Rabbit

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentle, polite, and intelligent. They are calm and thoughtful, and they prefer peace over conflict. Rabbits are great listeners and very caring toward the people close to them. They love learning and tend to be creative. They are most compatible with the Dog, Pig, and Goat, and least compatible with the Rooster.

Dragon

The Dragon is one of the most admired signs in Chinese culture. People born in Dragon years are energetic, ambitious, and natural leaders. They love adventure and are deeply loyal to family and friends. Though they can seem laid-back, once they set a goal, they pursue it with great energy. Dragons are most compatible with the Rooster, Rat, and Monkey, and least compatible with the Dog.

Snake

People born in the Year of the Snake are wise, calm, and intuitive. They have a charming personality and are deeply thoughtful. Snakes may seem reserved on the outside, but they are warm and passionate inside. They are devoted to the people they care about and have strong instincts. The Snake is most compatible with the Monkey, Rooster, and Ox, and least compatible with the Pig.

Horse

Horses are energetic, optimistic, and free-spirited. People born in Horse years love their independence and always push themselves forward. They are passionate about expressing themselves and living life on their own terms. They are great companions but can lose interest quickly if things become too routine. The Horse is most compatible with the Goat, Tiger, and Dog, and least compatible with the Rat.

Goat

People born in the Year of the Goat are kind, creative, and gentle. They are natural dreamers with a talent for art and beauty. Goats are excellent peacemakers and prefer harmony over conflict. They work quietly but are determined and patient in reaching their goals. The Goat is most compatible with the Horse, Rabbit, and Pig, and least compatible with the Ox.

Monkey

Monkeys are clever, curious, and full of energy. People born in Monkey years are great problem-solvers who love learning new things. They have a playful sense of humor and enjoy being around people. Monkeys work best when they are truly interested in a task. They are most compatible with the Snake, Rat, and Dragon, and least compatible with the Tiger.

Rooster

People born in the Year of the Rooster are confident, hardworking, and observant. They have strong emotional intelligence and great foresight. Roosters plan carefully and are very persistent in reaching their goals. They have a bold sense of style and are known for being creative and courageous. They are most compatible with the Dragon, Snake, and Ox, and least compatible with the Rabbit.

Dog

The Dog is a symbol of loyalty and honesty. People born in Dog years are trustworthy, fair, and deeply committed to the people they love. They are hard workers who rarely give up. Dogs are straightforward and genuine, and they often put others before themselves. The Dog is most compatible with the Rabbit, Tiger, and Horse, and least compatible with the Dragon.

Pig

People born in the Year of the Pig are generous, patient, and good-natured. They are avid listeners who care deeply about others. Pigs are logical thinkers and are usually very good at solving problems. Though they are kind and giving, they can sometimes be impatient or quick to anger. The Pig is most compatible with the Tiger, Rabbit, and Goat, and least compatible with the Snake.

Wood

People born in Wood years are patient, compassionate, and growth-oriented. Like a strong tree with deep roots, they are wise, warm, and social. They are excellent planners and communicators. Wood people thrive when working toward a long-term vision. Their color is green, their season is spring, and they are most closely associated with the Tiger and Rabbit signs.

Fire

Fire people are passionate, creative, and adventurous. They love excitement and can inspire others with their energy. Once they commit to something, they pursue it with great intensity. However, they can lose focus if things become too repetitive. Fire is associated with the color red, the summer season, and the Horse and Snake signs. People born in Fire years need to manage their energy carefully to avoid burnout.

Earth

Earth people are calm, responsible, and natural problem-solvers. They are the kind of people who stay steady during a crisis and help others find a way forward. They value justice and are deeply reliable. However, they can sometimes become controlling if they feel their efforts are not appreciated. Earth is associated with the color brown, and with the Ox, Dragon, Goat, and Dog signs.

Metal

Metal people are disciplined, determined, and loyal. They have high standards and a strong moral code. They are efficient and focused, always finding the simplest way to get a job done. However, they can be rigid and sometimes too hard on others. Metal is associated with the color white and the autumn season. It is linked to the Monkey and Rooster signs, and those born in Metal years rarely give up on what they believe in.

Water

People born in Water years are creative, sensitive, and introspective. They think deeply and often need time alone to recharge. Water people are empathetic and observant, and they step in to speak up when it truly matters. They have strong willpower and are often talented artists or writers. Water is associated with the color black and the winter season, and is linked to the Rat and Pig signs.