Chinese Zodiac for Kids

The Chinese Zodiac consists of twelve signs and is determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike our western or Gregorian calendar which is based on the solar cycle.

In Chinese astrology, there are 12 Chinese Zodiac signs. Because the moon's cycle repeats itself every 12 years, there are 12 animals in the Chinese Horoscope - one for each year of the lunar cycle. The 12 animals in the Western Zodiac in contrast, are assigned to each solar month.

The Legend of the Chinese Horoscope

The origins of the Chinese Zodiac go back a few thousand years. According to the myths, long time ago, Buddha decided to call all the animals on earth. But only twelve came:

In recompense, he assigned each of these animals a year on the cycle affirming that children born in that year would acquire the personality traits of the animal assigned to that year.

In order to decide their order in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, the animals held a very exciting race. The first one to cross the river would be granted the first year, the second to come in would be the second animal in the cycle, and so on.

The strong, hardworking Ox was in the lead. Suddenly, the clever Rat, jumped on the Ox's back, he did not even feel the little thing getting a free ride. At the last second before reaching shore, the Rat jumped on land, winning the race! The Ox came in second, the Tiger third, and so it went... the happy-go-lucky Pig took his time and came in last... and the Chinese Zodiac and its twelve signs were born...

The Twelve Animals... which one is yours?

In China, individual birth dates are not as important as the year in which a person is born. And if you want to know a person's age, you don't ask how old they are, you ask for their Chinese Zodiac animal.

To know which one is yours, look up the year of your birth below and look at the qualities of that animal to see how much of it agrees with you:

Rat

If you were born in 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 then you are a Rat.
You are charming, picky, ambitious and bright. You are adventurous and deep thinking.
You get along well with Dragons and Monkeys.
Stay away from Horses.

More about the Year of the Rat.

Ox

If you were born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 you are an Ox.
You are patient, hardworking and dependable. You are trustworthy and like to follow rules.
Your friends are the Snake and the Rooster.
Your opposite is the Goat.
More about the Year of the Ox.

Tiger

If you were born in 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 you are a Tiger.
You are powerful, aggressive and courageous. You can also be rebellious and unpredictable but at the same time protective and sympathetic.
The Dog and the Horse are your best signs.
The monkey is trouble.
More about the Year of the Tiger.

Rabbit

If you were born in 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 you are a Rabbit.
The Rabbit is considered the luckiest of the Chinese Zodiac animals. You are affectionate, virtuous and kind. You are sensitive to beauty and aim for peace in your life.
You are most compatible with the Goat and the Pig.
Your opposite is the Rooster.
More about the Year of the Rabbit.

Dragon

If you were born in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 you are a Dragon.
The Dragon was a symbol of Imperial power in ancient China; and Chinese consider it a great honor to be born in the Year of the Dragon. Dragons are full of strength and energy, always on the go. You are powerful, wealthy and wise. Here you can learn more about Chinese Dragons.
Look to the Monkey or the Rat and watch out for Dogs.
More about the Year of the Dragon.

Snake

If you were born in 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 you are a Snake.
Snakes are determined, wise and intense. You are vain and inclined towards physical beauty.
Befriend the Rooster and the Ox but not the Pig.
More about the Year of the Snake.

Horse

If you were born in 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 you are a Horse.
Horses are popular and very attractive. Talkative and sometimes showy and impatient.
You get along with Tigers and Dogs but never with Rats.
More about the Year of the Horse.

Sheep / Goat

If you were born in 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 you are a Sheep/Goat.
You are creative and elegant.
Sheeps are tender and sympathetic, sometimes shy.
The Ox is trouble. Rabbits and Pigs are OK.
More about the Year of the Sheep/Goat.

Monkey

If you were born in 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 you are a Monkey.
Monkeys are charming and intelligent, inventive and at times deceitful.
You are able to influence people and are successful at almost anything.
Your friends are the Dragon and the Rat but not the Tiger.
More about the Year of the Monkey.

Rooster

If you were born in 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 you are a Rooster.
You are proud, eccentric and a little too sure of yourself.
You enjoy learning and are not afraid to work.
You will be fine with Snakes and Oxen, but Rabbits are trouble.
More about the Year of the Rooster.

Dog

If you were born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 you are a Dog.
Dogs are loyal and sincere. You like things to be fair and work well with others.
Your friends are the Tiger and the Horse.
Watch out for Dragons.
More about the Year of the Dog.

Pig

If you were born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 you are a Pig.
The Pig is the last animal in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. Pigs are brave, noble and chivalrous.
You make lifelong friendships.
You get along with Rabbits and Goats but must avoid other Pigs.
More about the Year of the Pig.

The Five Elements and the Twelve Animals, what do they mean?

In addition to the Twelve Animals in the Chinese Zodiac that determine a person's destiny, there is also the "Five Elements" which are associated with a certain "life force" or "qi/chi" and also have a bearing in determining your luck.

These are the Five Elements in Chinese Culture, each is associated with a certain direction, season, color and energy:

Wood

Direction: East
Season: Spring
Color: Green
Energy: Life and the process of renewing Life

Fire

Direction: South
Season: Summer
Color: Red
Energy: Enthusiasm and Passion

Earth

Direction: Center
Season: Change of seasons (last month of each season)
Color: Yellow
Energy: Nurturing and Sympathetic

Metal

Direction: West
Season: Autumn
Color: White
Energy: Guarded and Private

Water

Direction: North
Season: Winter
Color: Black
Energy: Flexible and Fluid

You will often see one of the five elements associated with a Chinese Zodiac animal. For example, 2016 was the year of the Monkey and the element was Fire. So it was referred to as the Year of the Fire Monkey, or the Year of the Red Monkey, because fire is associated with the redness of the flames.

The Five Elements together with the Twelve Animals in the Chinese Zodiac form a 60 year cycle.