Happy Chinese New Year! How to find your chinese zodiac sign, and what it says about you

Mo. Basuony

Published: February 17, 2026 9:11 AM ET

The 2026 Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 17, 2026 (ET), ushering in the Year of the Horse. The chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle where each year is named for an animal; your sign is determined by the year you were born rather than the day or month. Here’s a quick guide to finding your sign and what some of the animals are believed to say about personality and prospects in the coming year.

How to find your chinese zodiac sign

Finding your sign is straightforward if your birthday falls after the Lunar New Year in the year you were born: you take that lunar-year animal as your sign. If you were born in January or February, check whether your birthday came before or after the Lunar New Year for that birth year. Because the holiday follows a lunisolar calendar, the start date varies each year but always falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 (ET). For example, babies born before Feb. 10, 2024 (ET) are Rabbits rather than Dragons; those born afterward are Dragons. If you aren’t sure of the Lunar New Year date for your birth year, look up the lunisolar calendar date for that specific year and compare it to your birthday: if your birthday is earlier, use the previous year’s animal; if later, use the listed year’s animal.

What the Year of the Horse suggests

The Horse is associated with freedom, vitality and ambition. Years ruled by the Horse are often described as times for bold movement, fresh initiatives and a sense of momentum — favorable for risk-taking and pursuing new opportunities. The Horse last appeared at the center of the cycle in 2014; the pattern repeats every 12 years. For individuals, a Horse year can encourage outward energy, a craving for independence and a focus on forward motion in careers and projects.

Quick guide: selected signs, birth years and traits

Below are highlights for several animals in the cycle — birth-year lists are illustrative and cover commonly cited recent years. If your birthday falls near late January or February, confirm the lunar-new-year boundary for your birth year before deciding your sign.

Rat — Birth years include 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020. Personality: charming, creative and inquisitive; Rats are resourceful deal-finders who are loyal to close friends.
Ox — Birth years include 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021. Personality: steady, hardworking and patient; Oxen thrive on routine and are stabilizing presences in chaotic moments.
Tiger — Birth years include 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022. Personality: bold, unpredictable and fearless; Tigers are defenders and adventurers but can struggle with indecision.
Rabbit — Birth years include 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023. Personality: graceful, peace-seeking and pragmatic; Rabbits favor tranquility and sensible counsel over drama.
Snake — Birth years include 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025. Personality: mysterious, resilient and energetic; Snakes blend strategy with passion.
Horse — Birth years include 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026. Personality: freedom-loving, ambitious and lively; Horses are forward-leaning and often seize new chances.
Monkey — Birth years include 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028. Personality: clever, mischievous and charming; Monkeys influence and entertain their way to results.
Rooster — Birth years include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017. Personality: industrious, earnest and punctual; Roosters are diligent and often uncompromising.
Pig (Boar) — Birth years include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019. Personality: sociable, generous and lucky; Pigs build lasting friendships and attract goodwill.

The remaining animals in the 12-sign cycle are the Dragon, Sheep (or Goat), and Dog; each completes the full rotation and carries its own traditional associations. If you want to confirm which animal corresponds to your birth year, compare your birthday to the Lunar New Year date for the year you were born and use the cycle above as a guide.

Whether you treat these descriptions as cultural tradition or light-hearted personality shorthand, the lunar new year is a good moment to reflect on the year ahead and consider how your sign’s strengths can guide your plans.